Property of a Noblewoman Read Free Page A

dates, and with two major papers due, Valentine’s Day meant nothing to him this year. He was totally focused on his work at school. He had been good company and fun to be with until he got overwhelmed in the final months before they graduated. Normally independent but good-humored before, now all he thought of was himself and what he had to do to graduate and get his MBA degree. Some days she felt like she didn’t even exist to him.
    “I have to inventory an abandoned safe deposit box today,” she said, looking pleased about it. At least it was something more interesting to do than her usual fare, buried in the paperwork on her desk.
    “Is that a big deal?” He looked unimpressed. It sounded boring to him.
    “Probably not, but it gets me out of the office, and it gives me a chance to do a little detective work. We placed a notice in the newspapers to alert possible heirs, and we’ve had no response in four weeks.”
    “What happens if no one turns up?”
    “Then we sell anything of value in the box, after it has been abandoned for three years and a month, but we keep the papers for another seven years. The money goes to the state.”
    “Is there anything important in that box?”
    “Supposedly some jewelry that might be valuable, according to the bank. I’ll check it out today. It’s kind of sad, but interesting too. It’s hard to imagine that people would just forget about their stuff, but the woman was pretty old. Maybe she died suddenly, or had dementia in her final years. Any chance of our having dinner tonight?” she asked, trying to sound casual and not wanting to put pressure on him. But as soon as she said it, he groaned.
    “Oh shit. It’s Valentine’s Day, isn’t it? Or it was yesterday. Thanks for the chocolates, by the way,” he said, glancing at the date on the newspaper on the table. “I’m sorry, Jane. I forgot. I have two papers due – there’s no way I can do dinner. Will you accept a rain check for a couple of weeks from now?” He looked genuinely apologetic.
    “Sure,” she said easily. She had suspected as much – he was obsessed with school, and she understood. Her law school schedule and its demands on her had been grueling too, but her grades had always been stronger than his. “I figured. I just thought I’d ask.” He leaned over and kissed her, and smiled when he noticed her red sweater. Holidays meant a lot to her, which he always teased her about. It was a corny side of her he thought was sweet, and blamed it on her growing up in the Midwest. His parents were in the film industry in L.A., and so were officially more sophisticated than hers.
    Jane looked pretty in a short black skirt and high heels, with her long blond hair pulled back for her meeting at the bank. He loved her looks and enjoyed spending time with her when he didn’t have two papers due, and his final project to work on. They had made no plans for the future and lived their relationship day to day, which suited them both. They were focused on their careers. She had no time or desire for marriage now, she wanted to establish herself first and so did he. They agreed on that.
    “I’m going to be out all night with my study group,” he said as she got up and put her coat on. She was wearing a red coat that day too, to mark the holiday, which he thought was a little silly, but it looked good on her. And the high heels she was wearing showed off her legs, which John always said were one of her best features. “We’re meeting at Cara’s house,” he said vaguely, glancing at the newspaper she’d left on the kitchen table. He knew that Jane didn’t like her. Cara looked like an underwear model, not a candidate for an MBA. John always said she was smart as a whip and admired her entrepreneurial skills. She had run and sold a business for a handsome sum of money before going back to school for her MBA, and at thirty-one was two years older than Jane. She was the most attractive single woman in the group,