“I can visit the museum and learn the answer soon enough.”
“Do so if you want.”
“Ah. You have promised discretion. Far be it for me to discourage that.”
“However.” Gabriel used the most casual voice he could muster. “If you did visit and not see it, what would you conclude?”
“That it also was stolen and the museum is keeping the theft secret, probably in hopes of getting it back before its loss is known and fingers get pointed. Do not worry that I will share my conclusion with anyone. I can keep secrets too.”
Gabriel collected the drawings. “You would conclude nothing else?”
“Well, it would probably be the same thief for both of them, of course. Someone with a taste for early medieval metalwork. Or a thief sent by such a person.”
“You said the auction had three items of high quality.”
“The third was perhaps the best. A dagger. The hilt displayed a similar decoration as the brooch. It has a very large jewel at its end. Ruby.”
“Do you know who bought it?”
“Actually, I do. My father.” Brentworth stood. “Come with me. I’ll show it to you.”
Gabriel followed him through the house. That Brentworth owned the dagger explained his knowledge of its history. Unfortunately, it also dashed a theory that whoever bought the dagger had set about obtaining the other two items as well. The last Duke of Brentworth, a man even more ducal than his son, would never hire a thief.
In the gallery, Brentworth opened one of several ebony cases positioned along its length. He pulled one of the drawers set behind the case’s doors. There lay a dagger, its hilt encased in worked gold covered with intertwining lines. A large red stone decorated the end of the hilt.
“It is thought the hoard came from a burial ship for the tribal leader. Some wood was found in the pit. The men who discovered it were not professionals, so much was probably lost.”
“Not professionals, you say.”
“As I understand it, no.”
“And a private auction was held.”
Brentworth offered no reaction or response.
“Do you know where in Devon this was found?”
“The information provided to the bidders was vague, according to my father. Near the coast, but in Devon that means almost anywhere in the county.” He closed the drawer. “The lack of detail was deliberate, of course. That and the secrecy imply the dig could have been less than legal. My father bought the dagger to keep it from being destroyed for its jewel and gold.”
“Does the museum know this?”
“I doubt it. The items speak for themselves as to authenticity. They are not like paintings by Raphael, where provenance helps establish that.”
They paced down the gallery where two Raphael paintings hung among works by other celebrated artists. “Do you not think that whoever lusted over the brooch and buckle will also want the dagger?”
“Let him come. It is not easy to enter this house, let alone this gallery. My father ensured that.”
Gabriel doubted anyone had ensured against a thief who scaled walls, jumped across chasms, and did not look at all like a thief to begin with.
* * *
Amanda doubted most ordinary women would recognize the close watch under which she moved. Having been raised far from normally, she noticed at once that the servants kept an eye on her. A footman was never far away. Should she need service, of course. Their presence meant that any attempt to slip away from the house would be futile.
They let her move about at will. She gave herself a tour of the public rooms. From the street, the exterior did not reveal the house’s size. Once inside, room led to room, which led to more rooms as one walked its length.
She especially liked the library. She guessed this was where Langford spent his time. The drawing room and dining room both sported a severe classicism that seemed out of tune with his nature. The library, however, offered sensual delights in textures and colors. Overstuffed chairs and comfortable divans filled it. A huge fireplace would put on an impressive performance in winter.
She left through its French doors and strolled the garden while she sang to herself. As she moved, so did two gardeners. She visited the folly and one of them decided to prune trees nearby. Memories came to her that made her leave the structure quickly. That parting had saddened her. Now, soon, she would have to leave again.
