Oh, she knew that polite tone. Daniel wasn't going to like her next statement, but, for once, Freya didn't care. "There was talk in London about an artist who paints charmed seascapes," she answered brightly. "Some have merfolk, others sunsets. I thought one might be nice to have in the parlor." Or perhaps her bedroom. Freya wouldn't mind falling asleep to the image of a rolling tide.

The pier, while not swamped with people, was crowded for so early in the day. Freya wouldn't have thought the crowds to gather until noon or later. "I was thinking of getting new sofas for the parlor. Wouldn't it be nice to match the color schemes to the water in the painting?"