Chapter 31
As the tinkle of doorbells subsided, Charlotte looked around the main salon of Manchester’s art and antiques emporium, her brow furrowing in puzzlement as nobody rushed out to greet her.
“Halloo?” she called tentatively.
The heavy velvet draperies framing the windows facing the street softened the echo of her voice to barely a whisper.
She called again, this time a bit louder.
The scuff of hurried steps stirred from behind the ornate set of double doors that led to the private offices and storage rooms in the rear of the building, and a moment later one of the carved teak portals flew open.
“Lady Wrexford!” Mrs. Ainsley’s look of surprise gave way to a smile.
“If you, too, are looking for Mr. Manchester, his assistant Gabriel rushed in just a few minutes ago and called him away to an urgent meeting with a difficult client,” she explained.
“He asked me to wait, as he didn’t expect to be long, so I’m sure he would wish for you to do so as well. ”
“I have no appointment, so I wouldn’t wish to intrude on your business,” replied Charlotte, though she silently cursed her ill luck. “I’ll come back later.”
Mrs. Ainsley waved off the response. “No, no, please stay! I merely stopped by to inquire if Damien had received word on when to expect the shipment of art he recently purchased from a fellow dealer in Paris. It includes more paintings by Redouté, and he has promised me a first look at them before he displays them for public purchase.”
“Ah, well, we are here on similar missions,” said Charlotte lightly. “I, too, wish to speak with Mr. Manchester about a possible purchase. The lovely Girtin watercolor he has displayed in the East Salon has caught my eye, and I wish to have a second look.”
“Then you must stay,” exclaimed Mrs. Ainsley. “He would not thank me for chasing away a possible sale.”
Deciding the chance encounter night actually work to her advantage, Charlotte readily agreed with effusive thanks.
“Come let us make ourselves more comfortable in Damien’s office while we wait,” added Mrs. Ainsley with a conspiratorial wink. “He keeps some of his best treasures back there. Most of them are not for sale, but it is always enjoyable to have a look.”
Charlotte followed her though one of the side doors, which led through a short passageway to the central corridor up ahead.
As they passed a set of stairs leading down into the bowels of the building, the light from the wall sconces fluttered over an imposing steel-banded door set in the shadows of the landing below.
“Damien is artistic by nature, but he’s also a pragmatic man of business,” said Mrs. Ainsley, noting that Charlotte’s gaze had been drawn to the flickers reflecting off the polished metal. “One must protect one’s investments.”
“That’s very wise as well as pragmatic,” replied Charlotte. “Though we may wish it were not so, there are always predators on the prowl.”
“Indeed. But come, let us talk of more cheerful things.” Quickening her steps, Mrs. Ainsley clicked open the latch to the private office. A honey-gold light filtered in through the bank of diamond-paned windows, casting a mellow glow over the room and its array of treasures.
“You didn’t exaggerate,” said Charlotte, after taking in the collection of Greek antiquities, Meissen porcelain, and various objets d’art made of gold, silver, and precious stones. During her first visit, the shelves and counters had not been nearly as full.
“Yes, he’s preparing a shipment for a dealer in Antwerp,” replied Mrs. Ainsley. “He has an eye for art and likes to be surrounded by beauty, but he’s not afraid to move on and try new things.”
Charlotte wandered over to one of the side counters, which held an assortment of exotic carved statues from India. “Mr. Manchester has eclectic tastes.”
“Yes, I admire his imagination, as well as his canny business sense,’ replied Mrs. Ainsley. “I think his sense of boldness and creative thinking is what makes him so successful.”
An interesting observation, thought Charlotte.
And seeing an opening to bring up Stoneham, she nodded sagely.
“Interestingly enough, Wrexford says that men of science must also be creative thinkers, so I imagine that the qualities you just mentioned must be what makes your brother and Mr. Manchester feel a close kinship.”
The observation drew a laugh from her companion.
“Oh, good heavens, Philip hasn’t got a creative bone in his body!
According to him, scientific progress is achieved by plodding through trial and error until one stumbles across the correct answer.
” A sigh. “He and Damien are more acquaintances than actual friends. They have very little in common.”
“Wrexford says that your brother is very good with metallurgy,” said Charlotte.
“Your husband is being kind. Philip is fine with solving standard problems, but …” She bit her lip. “I love him dearly, but I’m aware that he is rather stiff and unbending, which is not conducive to greatness—in either science or in art.”
“Greatness is not gifted on most of us,” observed Charlotte.
“Very true.” Mrs. Ainsley hesitated. “In all honesty, I think Philip is rather jealous of Wrexford, who is considered brilliant by—”
The sudden rattle of the bells and the loud thunk of a door being slammed shut cut her off.
“Oh, dear—it sounds like the meeting did not go well.” Gathering her skirts, Mrs. Ainsley moved for the corridor. “I think it best if you wait here while I alert Damien of your visit. He may be in a bit of a temper if his client reneged on the sale.”
Charlotte gave a sympathetic grimace of understanding. “Understandably so.” The visit had already proved of value. “I think it best that I take my leave and return another time to discuss the Girtin painting.”
A grateful nod. “Perhaps that would be best.”
As her companion hurried away, Charlotte turned back to the items on display, and though her thoughts were racing to parse through the ramifications of what she had just heard, she absently picked up one of the handsome leatherbound art books stacked between two marble fauns.
A wink of gold caught her eye as she shifted her position. Leaning closer, she saw a small ebony box hidden by the bulk of the books. It was decorated with an exquisitely elaborate design of turquoise and jade set in precious metal.
Intrigued, Charlotte flipped up the lid …
And froze, feeling every drop of blood in her veins turn to ice.