“They were once regarded as gods, you know,” she answered. “Just look at him. Can you doubt the wisdom?”
At that moment something squeaked just outside the window, and Bub stilled, his ears flicking, his amazing green-gold eyes searching…and seeing a large squirrel chasing a mouse.
With an odd little clacking sound, Bub stalked to the window and when the mouse ran and the squirrel set off in pursuit, Bub jumped up on his hind legs, yowled in disgust at the glass and caught a claw on the ancient draperies.
With none of the grace of his species, Bub tugged to try and free himself, but disaster struck and the entire drape ripped off the pegs to fall on top of the cat.
Who was not best pleased, by the sound of things.
Finn and Hecate tried very hard not to laugh at the writhing lump beneath the old and dusty fabric, but they failed. After a moment or two of hearty enjoyment, Hecate caught her breath. “We must free the poor thing. He’ll be so embarrassed.”
“Let me,” said Finn.
He bent down, grabbed the drapery and whisked it aside, freeing the cat and a large amount of dust at the same time.
Hecate blinked it away and waved her hand in front of her face. Finn sneezed. Twice.
And Beelzebub shook himself, gave the two of them a look which should have seared them into greasy spots, and then stalked off to a corner chair. He jumped up, sat and began to wash himself, with his back to the room.
“Well then.” Hecate choked down another giggle.
“Hallo.” Finn bent over. “What’s this?”
He straightened, holding a little box in his hand. Looking up, he gazed at the ledge revealed by the departure of the curtain. “It must have been lodged up there. And goodness only knows for how long.”
“What’s in it?” Curiously she moved to Finn’s side, then turned her head to one side as he blew a cloud of dust from the top.
“There’s a little button here, look…” He held the box on his palm and pressed the tiny button. The lid popped open and Hecate peered within.
“Oh. Oh look, Finn. It’s a miniature, I think.” She gently removed the small brooch, marvelling at the perfection of the image painted upon its surface. A woman looked back at her, a gentlewoman, obviously, her bonny face surrounded by the frills of an elegant cap. Her curly hair emerged in soft twists beneath the lace, and her gown was a mere hint at the bottom of the image.
The whole was enclosed in some kind of latticework, simple but effective, and there was a pin affixed to the back which would have secured it to some lucky wearer’s clothing. The pin was bent and the catch missing.
“How very lovely,” she breathed.
“May I?” Finn asked, putting down the box and holding out his hand.
“Of course.” She put the brooch into his palm, still amazed by the delicate beauty of it.
Finn was silent for a few moments, turning it this way and that, touching the back and then moving it face up once more. “Can you look in the box, Hecate? See if there is a name or anything?”
She picked up the box, opened the lid with the little button and looked inside. “Oh goodness…here. Stuck to the inside of the lid. There is a card.”
“Good,” said Finn thoughtfully.
“Let me just ease it free…” She carefully nudged the paper loose. It wasn’t glued, but a tight fight kept in place. Responding to the urgings of her fingernail, Hecate finally sighed with relief when the card dropped free at last.
“Got it.” Returning the box to the table, she moved to the window. “The writing is faded, but I think I can make it out. Yes, here.To my dear Mary Willes, with love and thanks. Declan Willows.” She looked up at Finn. “Who the devil is Mary Willes?”
“And why was she getting aCosway miniaturefrom Declan Willows?”
Hecate gasped. “Really?” She looked at the brooch. “You’re sure?”
“As sure as I can be. A few years ago, when Cosway was coming into prominence, a good friend and I went to one of his exhibitions. His style is unmistakable, Hecate. The softness of the hair, the bright blue sky behind her the elegance and absolute perfection…I would swear this is an original Cosway.”
She blinked. “It must be worth a pretty penny.”
“It is,” answered Finn. Then he glanced at her. “And what do you want to wager thatthisis what your intruder was searching for a few weeks ago?”
