16. Chapter Sixteen #4
“Each?” Colin blinked at her. “That’s half a million. Who’d pay that much for a bloody handbag?”
“You’d be surprised,” Josie said. She got out her phone and showed them a photo of one of the bags.
“Firstly, it’s made from exotic leather—alligator or crocodile I think—and the hardware is pure gold, and secondly, I don’t think she ever used it because the plastic stickers are all still intact.
” She showed them another picture. “The second one is similar but has diamonds set in the palladium hardware.”
“It’s hideous,” Colin said.
“It is not,” Mabel and Josie spoke at the same time.
Mabel smiled. “I wouldn’t want it, but I do like the shape and all the sparkly bits.” She squinted at the second picture. “Are they real diamonds on there?”
“Can’t you buy yourself one?” Colin asked as he took her hand. “I thought I was marrying up.”
“I could.” Mabel smiled fondly at him. “But I’m currently focused on restoring your crumbling house.”
“I wouldn’t mind. I like you to have nice things,” Colin said.
“You’re so sweet,” Mabel cooed at him as Freddy pretended to choke on his cake.
“A conservative estimate of the whole collection including the bags, the shoes and the fashion, could be in the region of two to three million pounds,” Josie said. “If we were able to add Brigitte’s name, it could be much higher.”
Belatedly, Mabel remembered to close her mouth, which was still full of cake.
“Blimey,” Freddy breathed. “Who’d have thought all that old tat would be worth so much money?”
“If Dale hadn’t connected me to you, Josie, I might’ve dumped everything at the charity shop in the next village,” Mabel said.
Josie shuddered. “I’m glad you didn’t.” She smiled at Colin. “I’ve taken hundreds of pictures and notes. When I get back to London, I’ll write you up a full report with an inventory of suggested prices, and we can take it from there.”
“Thank you,” Colin said, his voice rather distant. “I look forward to hearing from you.”
Josie stood up and Mabel joined her.
“I have to catch a train. Freddy said he’d take me to the station. Thank you so much for having me.” Josie beamed. “It’s been one of the most exciting days of my career. I can’t wait to tell my boss all about it.”
“I’ll see you out,” Mabel said.
When Mabel returned to the kitchen everyone was still sitting around the table staring at each other like zombies.
“Well,” she said brightly. “That went better than I thought it would.”
They all turned to look at her and nodded in unison.
“I’ve never seen you all shut up at once before,” Mabel said as she sat down next to Colin. “It’s quite pleasant.”
“Of course, we’ll have to talk to Father, and I do think we have to remember the twins in all this,” Colin finally said. “Brigitte was their mother, so they should have a say in what happens to her belongings and the bulk of the money has to be kept in trust for them.”
“That could be a substantial amount if Josie is right,” Freddy said.
“It should be. It won’t make up for having an absentee mother, but it will enable them to be more adventurous in their lives,” Colin said.
Mabel threw him a warm look and reached out to take his hand. “You’re so sweet.”
“I think the idea of some of Brigitte’s money going toward the upkeep of the family house will appeal to the twins,” Freddy said. “They’ve never known another home.” He paused. “I’ll have to talk to Luc and Lily about investing in the home farm before Colin gets to them.”
“You do know we can all hear you, Freddy?” Colin said.
“You do know that we can all see you lusting after Mabel?” Freddy asked. “If I have to put up with that, you can put up with my crafting dastardly plans to outwit you.”
“In front of me,” Colin murmured. “Like right in front of me.” He kept hold of Mabel’s hand and brought it to his lips. “We don’t care what he thinks, do we, Mabel?”
“No, we don’t.” Mabel grinned at Colin. “Because we’re in love and we’re going to get married with the earl’s blessing.”
Felicity squealed so loudly that Freddy jumped.
“Goodness gracious! Does Grandmother know?”
“We’d better go and tell her, although how she hasn’t noticed that betrothal ring hanging off your finger I don’t know.” Colin rose to his feet bringing Mabel with him. “And then I’ll go and speak to Father about Brigitte’s things.”
They left the kitchen and headed toward the main entrance hall, which had recently been cleaned and wallpapered in a traditional Victorian hand printed paper that had cost a fortune but was perfect for the space.
Colin stopped walking and looked down at Mabel. “Are you quite sure about this? Because if we tell Granny, the whole of British society will know, and it’s game over after that.”
“Absolutely sure.” Mabel went up on tiptoes and kissed Colin firmly on the mouth.
He cupped her cheek. “I really want to make this work.”
“So do I.” She met his gaze. “I think we can do it.”
“With a million quid from a few old handbags, I think we’ll be doing just fine.” He kissed her back and took her hand again. “Then let’s go and tell Grandmother she won’t have to go and work in Tesco’s after all.”