Miss Henrietta smiled somewhat smugly. “But we did make it back here in one piece, and it seems fortunate indeed we made such excellent time or else Gertrude and Mrs. Davenport would continue suffering from nasty accusations being directed their way.” Her smile dimmed. “Forgive me, Temperance, but I just noticed you don’t seem to be in possession of our evidence.”
Temperance smiled. “Mr. Barclay wanted to be included in the process of revealing it.”
“You mean the butler who answered the door when I arrived?” Cornelia asked slowly.
“Indeed, although he’s been branching out from his butler duties these days,” Miss Henrietta said. “Just as I’ve been branching out from my established role as recluse.” With that, Miss Henrietta looked to the door. “Mr. Barclay, we’re ready for the big reveal if you please,” she called.
Mr. Barclay immediately appeared in the doorway, his eyes twinkling as he presented the room at large with a bow. Straightening, he rubbed his hands together and smiled as he gazed fondly around at everyone.
Miss Henrietta wrinkled her nose. “Forgive me, Mr. Barclay, but I believe we may be at sixes and sevens here. Was it not your intention to bringthe packagein with you?”
“I thought it would lend the situation a more dramatic air if I were to come in, then depart again to retrieve the package, increasing the level of suspense for everyone.”
“Ah, prolonging the moment. A most excellent way to increase the drama of the situation,” Miss Henrietta said with a nod. “We’ll now direct our full attention to you as you depart to retrieve the package.”
“Very good, Miss Henrietta,” Mr. Barclay said with such a tone of seriousness that Harrison couldn’t help but think the man had missed his calling on the stage.
“Is it only me, or has the entire world suddenly gone mad?” Cornelia asked to no one in particular.
“Shh,” Miss Henrietta returned. “You’re ruining the moment.”
As his mother descended into silence, even though she didn’t look happy about it, Mr. Barclay moved toward the door ever so slowly, as if he wanted to keep prolonging the suspenseful moment for as long as possible. When he disappeared through the door, Harrison felt his lips twitch when everyone simply kept their attention centered on that door.
At long last, Mr. Barclay returned, carrying a package wrapped in brown paper that Harrison was fairly certain had been wrapped in that paper in another attempt to increase the theatrics of the moment. Walking directly up to Cornelia, Mr. Barclay handed her the package. “For you, Mrs. Sinclair.”
“Thank you,” Cornelia said, setting the package on the floor. “Although I have to say this is quickly becoming over the top in more ways than one.” With that, she tore open the paper then frowned. “On my word, it’s my painting.”
Miss Henrietta nodded. “Indeed, which means you now owe darling Gertrude a most heartfelt apology, since clearly she did not take your painting, nor did Mrs. Davenport.”
“I’m afraid I don’t understand,” Cornelia said.
Gesturing around the room, Miss Henrietta nodded again. “Perhaps it would be for the best if everyone were to find a seat, because this might take some time to explain.”
As Permilia and Gertrude sat down on a settee, Temperance moved to sit between them. Everyone else began to look for places to sit, a tricky business since all the hat boxes and other accessories that Asher and Permilia had brought with them were scattered about the room. After all the ladies found a seat, Harrison moved to stand next to Asher by the fireplace.
They were soon joined by Agent McParland, who pulled his notepad out of his pocket and glanced around.
“I’m hoping some of the disclosures about to be made might help with the investigation still going on regarding the thefts at the Manhattan Beach Hotel,” Agent McParland said to the room at large.
“I’m afraid the mystery of Mrs. Sinclair’s painting is unrelated to the mystery you’re attempting to solve,” Temperance said, drawing everyone’s attention. “Especially since the culprit seems to be my oh-so-vindictive cousin, Miss Clementine Flowerdew.”
Gertrude’s mouth dropped open. “Really?”
“I’m afraid so, although I doubt she did the deed herself. Clementine wouldn’t want to dirty her hands with theft, but she wouldn’t be opposed to hiring someone to do it for her.” Temperance shook her head. “It was only a lucky happenstance that I stumbled on the painting, finding it in the attic when I went up there to fetch a trunk I’d stored there. I found the painting tucked behind a stack of blank canvases I’d also stored in the attic, tucked there no doubt under the assumption it would never be found. I’m sure when my relatives left rather suddenly for Newport, it never entered their minds that I would stumble on the painting because I’d decided to move out of their home earlier than expected.”
“Your relatives went to Newport and left you behind?” Gertrude asked.
Temperance waved that aside. “I highly doubt Clementine wanted me tagging along since she’s more than put out with me at the moment. And considering how rapidly they left town, I do think that they might have done so to provide Clementine with the alibi of being out of town if any suspicions were ever to be cast her way about the missing painting.”
“But why would this cousin of yours steal the painting to begin with?” Agent McParland asked.
“Because she’s vindictive and wanted to get back at Gertrude since Gertrude refused to advance Clementine’s pursuit of Harrison,” Temperance said. “My cousin is not the type of lady to ignore what she clearly believed was a slight, even though she now seems determined to win the affections of Mr. Gilbert Cavendish, a gentleman who foolishly accepted an invitation to join my Flowerdew relations in Newport.”
Gertrude’s eyes widened. “Good heavens, Temperance. Perhaps we should plan a trip to Newport to rescue Gilbert. His future could be doomed if Clementine convinces him she’s a lady he should consider pursuing.”
Temperance shook her head. “Gilbert’s perfectly capable of taking care of himself, Gertrude, and besides, his mother is more frightening than Cornelia.” She shot a look to Cornelia. “No offense, Mrs. Sinclair.”
The very corners of Cornelia’s lips curved. “None taken, dear, although I don’t believe you and I have ever been introduced.”
