Page 25 of The Art of Theft
“And three, you have not been subtle about telling us who you are. Or perhaps I should say, you have not been subtle about signaling your true identity to one particular person in this party.”
Livia lifted her fingers to her lips. She noticed for the first time that the pretend-maid was wearing a pendant of moonstone. The first time they met, they’d discussed, among other things, a book calledThe Moonstone. Later he had sent her a cabochon of moonstone as a present.
Mr. Marbleton smiled. He made for a winsome woman. “Shall I pour tea for everyone?”
“Please,” said Lord Ingram.
Once everyone had their tea, Mrs. Watson cleared her throat. “Thank you all for coming—to help me. Because this is most certainly somethingIundertook, and I did so knowing that I could not manage it by myself. That I’d need a great deal of help. Mr. Marbleton, shall I explain something of the circumstances?”
“Lord Ingram has kindly informed me of the general contours of the situation. So if everyone else has been filled in...”
He looked at Livia. She gave him a small nod, feeling a surge of warmth in her chest.
“In that case,” said Mrs. Watson, “here is the summary of our task: to liberate certain letters from the back of a portrait by Van Dyck, currently held at Château Vaudrieu outside of Paris, and which will find itself under new ownership in a fortnight, as part of the proceedings at the château’s annual masquerade ball.
“Miss Charlotte Holmes visited the offices of two magazines today and was fortunate enough to be permitted into their archives without a prior appointment. Will you care to tell us what you have learned, Miss Charlotte?”
“I couldn’t find out very much, except that the château changed hands about fifteen years ago. The current owner, a Monsieur Albrecht, is said to be a Swiss manufacturer. His mistress, Madame Desrosiers, lives at Château Vaudrieu and organizes the ball. And her brother arranges for these private art sales.”
“Thank you, Miss Holmes.” Mrs. Watson turned to Lord Ingram. “My lord, after we met yesterday, you made some inquiries, too. Did you learn anything?”
“I did. Given that we have scant time and much to do, we need someone in France immediately. Under different circumstances I would have already crossed the Channel, but now I cannot move as easily. I will head to Paris after I escort my children to my eldest brother’s estate, but until then, I must appoint someone to act on my behalf.
“Fortunately, I have an ally who happens to be passing through France. My cable caught him in Paris, and he has since learned that there will be a reception ahead of the ball for those wishing to submit private bids to view the artworks. He has also found out that when the château was purchased by M. Albrecht, the architect firm of Balzac & Girault redesigned portions of the interior. My ally will pay the firm a visit, in the hope of securing the architectural plans.”
“Your ally sounds inordinately competent—and proficient,” said Mrs. Watson. “We are not speaking of Lord Remington, are we?”
Lord Remington, Lord Ingram’s second-eldest brother, had left for India not long ago.
“No, not my brother, but someone I trust.”
“If he can find the architectural plans, it would be of great help to us,” said Charlotte.
“If they are to be found, he will find them,” answered Lord Ingram. “In addition to my ally, I also cabled the French branch of my godfather’s family.”
The French branch of that family was one of the wealthiest and most powerful in the country.
“I asked for help with invitations to the masquerade ball. I have been assured invitations will be forthcoming. And a house will be waiting in Paris, when we get there.”
“But that’s marvelous,” exclaimed Mrs. Watson, “especially the invitations.”
“You seem to have everything well in hand. Are you sure you will need my services?” asked Mr. Marbleton with a grin.
“We have nothing in hand,” said Charlotte. “We have no plan on how to go about this and cannot formulate one until we see and know more. Which is why, though I cannot tell you what we might need you to do, Mr. Marbleton, I prefer to have you with us. If nothing else, think of it as a sponsored trip to Paris.”
“Why not?” Mr. Marbleton turned to Miss Livia. “If nothing else, may I squire you about Paris? Perhaps for a walk in the Jardin des Tuileries, if weather permits?”
Livia thought she would stammer, her heart was beating so fast. But her voice sounded even, as if gentlemen escorting her around foreign capitals was a regular occurrence. “I should like that.”
“And the Louvre, too?”
“If you won’t be too busy.”
“You might both be too busy,” said Charlotte. “But you will come with us, Mr. Marbleton?”
He smiled at Livia. “That would be my great pleasure and privilege.”
?You are a romantic, Holmes had told Lord Ingram shortly before the troubles at Stern Hollow.
