Page 47 of Choosing Her Earl at Last
His father nodded in understanding, laying a hand on his son’s shoulder. “Do not tarry over it, my son. A lady like that will not be available for long.”
Michael stood there in silence for a long time after his father departed, thinking over his words. When the staff began to sparehim furtive questioning looks, he moved to the library to tend to any details that needed his attention after being gone for an extended period of time.
Once he had taken care of the necessary estate business, he turned his mind toward the stolen paintings. Exiting the library, he went in search of his estate manager.
As he stepped out of the house and into the back garden toward the estate manager’s cottage, Michael found Emmeline and Louisa coming out from behind some trees, their clothes and hair slightly disheveled from their usual orderly perfection.
They looked more refreshed and satisfied than Michael had seen them since Rebecca’s disappearance. He offered them both a smile upon their approach.
“I see that your rest turned into a replenishing stroll.”
Louisa and Emmeline exchanged a pleased smile. “Indeed.”
“I was about to retrieve my estate manager to go over the list of stolen paintings with him. Would you care to join me?” Michael said.
“It is why I am here,” Emmeline replied.
“I thank you for agreeing to this. I value your expertise,” Michael said.
“Let us hope that it gives us a lead on the perpetrators, which in turn leads us to Rebecca.”
“Agreed.” Michael nodded. “I will meet you in the library once I have retrieved my estate manager.”
Both ladies agreed and entered the house. Michael crossed the garden and exited through the back gate. He made his way around the grove of trees that separated the manager’s quarters from the main house.
“George,” Michael called out as he tapped his knuckles on the roughhewn wood of the door. “George!”
“My lord,” George Haversham emerged from around the side of the cottage. “How may I be of service?”
“I am ready to discuss the list of paintings that have been stolen. I have an art expert awaiting us in the library,” Michael informed him.
“Very good, my lord,” George replied, dusting his hands on his trousers. The two men walked together back to the manor house,George updating him on everything that had happened since his last letter. When they entered the library, George stopped in his tracks at the sight of the beautiful ladies awaiting them there. He gave Michael a questioning look. “My Lord?”
“Lady Emmeline Livingston, nee Frampton, the Marchioness of Worthington,” Michael introduced, “has graciously agreed to lend us her expertise.”
George recovered as quickly as he could, inclining his head in respect. “My lady. George Haversham at your service.”
“It is a pleasure to meet you, Mr. Haversham,” Emmeline greeted the manager. “My friend, Lady Louisa Beauchamp.”
“My lady.” George bowed again.
“Might you show us the list, George?” Michael asked, trying to hide his amusement at George’s reaction to the beautiful ladies before him.
“Of course, my lord.” George fumbled with a folded-up piece of paper in his jacket pocket. “These are the missing pieces, my lord.” He handed the paper to Michael.
Michael unfolded the page and read the list, whistling low under his breath. “Whoever is responsible, they know what they are taking and what it is worth.” He extended the page to Emmeline.
Emmeline took it and read the list of valuable pieces. “This list consists almost entirely of the paintings that my father procured for your grandfather.”
“Indeed,” Michael agreed.
“Coincidence?” Louisa asked.
Emmeline shook her head. “Not likely.”
“My grandfather was extraordinarily particular about the pieces that he collected. Not every piece’s value was obvious to the uneducated eye. One would need to possess sufficient knowledge to know that these pieces were indeed the most valuable of the collection,” Michael explained.
“I see,” Louisa mused, pursing her lips in thought. “Who would possess such knowledge?”
