Chapter 9 #2
“It is certainly obscure. I have been unable to find out much about it—though it seems to adhere to the traits of the Greek Geometric period. The way the vase is shaped and the painting technique match exactly what I’ve researched.
But it is in excellent condition.” His eyes widened at her use of the correct terminology.
She’d allow him to think she’d obtained it through reputable means, all the better if Cart were to discover it was stolen—very recently.
She would claim ignorance. And pray he showed her mercy.
“I will have to check with my sister to inquire if she, indeed, would like to be rid of the vase, but—“
“Do not take my silence as reluctance,” he said, his head nodding. “I would very much like to see it. Maybe I can help you date the piece—not that I am overly learned in vases, but I have the appropriate knowledge to research further and a connection at the British Museum.”
Her first reaction was horror at the mention of having the piece assessed by someone at the British Museum—for that would surely call to question her possession of the vase.
“Oh, there is no need to bother someone as important as an expert at the museum, but possibly I can bring it for your appraisal?” She in no way wanted him to research the vase too heavily.
It was her wish that he’d purchase the vase—or send her in the direction of another collector who’d be interested.
It was a delicate matter; one she was already regretting drawing Cart into.
“Certainly.”
Jude knew she’d crossed another line. Much like the last several lines she’d crossed, she did it with her eyes closed.
It had been a shock to be apprehended, spending the entire night locked in that dank room.
That alone should have been enough to send Jude on a straight path, one that did not include her and Sam risking their respective freedom.
“And what have you here?” Jude nodded to the forgotten pipe in his hands, changing the subject away from anything having to do with the British Museum. “Is it a musical instrument?”
His responding smile told her she’d guessed correctly, though she’d never seen or read about such antiquities.
Cart held the piece out for her to take.
“It is very light,” Jude said, holding it at arm’s length. She turned the pipe this way and that, unsure how it was used—or what sound it would make. It was comprised of about eight wooden tubes harnessed together with a thin piece of twine and another long, narrow wooden strip. “How old is it?”
“It is a Greek panpipe or syrinx, commonly used by shepherds during a time of great lore,” he whispered. “Many say it was crafted by the Greek god Hermes.”
“This exact panpipe?” she asked in disbelief. “It does not appear any older than a hundred years—at most.” She handed it back, terrified she’d drop it or worse…
“I have only recently acquired it.” He gently set the pipe on the desk before them. “But I can assure you, though the seller boasted of the piece’s age, it is likely no more than five hundred years old.”
Jude gulped. Five hundred years? It was difficult to imagine anything being that old, though the vase was centuries older.
A clock chimed somewhere outside the study they sat in, startling them both.
Jude pushed the feeling of unease away, but Cart seemed unable to uncoil his stiffened shoulders.
“Miss Jude. What plans have you tomorrow?” He stood as he asked the question, moving to return the pipe to its cabinet.
His continued peculiar behavior had her scrambling to keep up with his topic changes.
She searched her memory for what tomorrow would consist of for her. Jude was fairly certain she hadn’t agreed to attend any functions with Ellie, nor had she received word from Lady Haversham about routs. “I believe I will be taking a turn in the park with my sisters.”
“Lovely,” he said. “I shall meet you there. Which park and at what time?”
“Ummm…” If this were his strange way of asking her if she’d accompany him to the park, then it was certainly an odd one. “Hyde Park—“
“Of course,” he interrupted her. “My mother and sister often take in the fresh air at Hyde Park.”
“I suspect around half past five, my lord.”
“That is agreeable to me.” He moved toward the door, signaling their visit was at an end. “I will promptly arrive at Hyde Park at the predetermined time of half past five. I will be on foot—I do hope you will accompany me for a stroll.”
“As long as it doesn’t end in a like manner as our last stroll,” Jude teased. When his face blanched, she regretted her words. “I am jesting with you—and if it puts you at ease, we shall take a path far from any water.”
“The odds are not in favor of such an occurrence happening again,” he replied. “Also, I will endeavor to keep watch of my footing in the future.”
He leaned precariously close to her and, for a split second, Jude thought he meant to kiss her. Her eyes fluttered shut…and she waited.
But nothing came.
Creaking open one eye, she noticed he brushed at the sleeve of her gown.
“A piece of dirt, likely from the pipe, fell to your gown.” She looked down to see nothing there. “But it is gone now.”
“Why, thank you, my lord.” Her breathing returned to normal as she continued to look down, unable to meet his stare. She truly must gain her wits when around him.
“Do you know the way out?” When she raised her eyes from the floor to answer, she noted he stared at her lips—maybe they’d had the same thought moments ago.
His dismissal was direct, a quality Jude normally preferred in others. But with Lord Cartwright, their connection was unclear. She’d certainly pictured his lips on hers. Every so often, she caught him staring at her longingly. But in times like this, he appeared cold and disinterested.
She could not blame him, as neither had made any move to clarify what was currently transpiring between them. Were they two individuals who shared a common interest, or a couple finding a reason to spend time with one another?
Jude thought over that exact question as she stood to depart Lord Cartwright’s townhouse.
The only thing she knew for certain was that she was playing with fire—for all Lord Cartwright’s unassuming manner, he was an astute man, and unlikely to overlook Jude’s transgressions if discovered.