Chapter Twelve #2
Assuming she would enjoy looking at all of the baubles, Edward said, “Yes.” And then, since Franny was listening attentively and the theft was public knowledge, he rambled on.
“A few days ago, I visited the store and described the items I am searching for. I asked Mr. Wagner to let me know if someone tried to sell him the pieces.”
“Do you think the thief is dangerous?” Franny asked, an excited breathiness in her question.
“I would not put it past them. I think we are looking for a ring of thieves. Whoever they are, they knew that the countess would be at the Thorton’s ball, and they knew about her fine jewelry.”
“Don’t all aristocratic ladies have diamonds, emeralds, and rubies lying about their chambers?” Franny asked.
“Yes. But most aristocratic ladies don’t have masked men knocking out their butler, tying up their lady’s maid, and running amok in their townhouse,” Edward said.
“This is why we must teach ladies to defend themselves.” Franny clasped her hands together as if she’d just solved all of the world’s problems. “Mayhap we should train butlers, too. Can you imagine? An army of punching, kicking butlers could rid London of all crime.”
Frances Valentine was innovative.
Having arrived at their destination, he held the door wide.
Franny glided past him, stopped short, and gasped. “ ’Tis so lovely.”
Impressive displays of jewelry and watches glittered and sparkled.
“Good day, Mr. Wagner,” Edward called to the gray-haired man behind the counter who was speaking with a well-dressed gentleman. And then he whispered in Franny’s ear, “Please just go along with this.”
Franny peered up at him through her golden lashes and nodded. If this confounding, unpredictable woman had a fascination with investigating crimes, Edward would finally have a bargaining chip beyond Mrs. Benson’s honey cakes.
“Look at these, darling,” he said as he wrapped his arm around her waist and guided her to a case of brooches.
“Of course, my dear,” she said, playing along. Her gaze drifted over a half dozen exquisite pins glittering beneath the glass. “They are so pretty,” she breathed, in a way that let him know she meant what she was saying.
So much for squelching his attraction to her because Edward adored this Franny, the woman in awe of something beautiful. Hell, to be honest, he also rather enjoyed the Franny who punched reprobates in the nose.
He placed his lips near her ear. “Which is your favorite?” His original intent was to remain inconspicuous until Mr. Wagner’s patron departed, but now that he’d asked, he truly wanted to know.
“This one.” She pointed at a profile of a silver kitten with an emerald eye.
Simple and lovely. He rather liked it, too. Too bad lawmen couldn’t afford expensive gifts for ladies they favored.
“Enjoy your afternoon, my lord,” Mr. Wagner said as he handed his patron a box. “I hope her ladyship adores the necklace.”
Edward waited for the aristocrat to leave before descending on the shopkeeper, Franny glued to his side. “I received your missive,” he said.
Mr. Wagner leaned across the counter and spoke so softly Edward had to tilt his ear to make out his words. “A man was here yesterday trying to sell me a rose necklace and earrings encrusted with diamonds and rubies, a sapphire ring, and a necklace dripping with diamonds.”
A lead at last, because this was exactly what Edward had been searching for. “Did he give you a name or address?”
Mr. Wagner frowned. “No.”
“What did he look like?” Edward asked. Meanwhile, Franny was so close that her breath tickled his cheek. Damn distracting, this chit.
“Tall, scar above his right eye. He said the pieces belonged to his late mother. He was dressed like a gentleman. Also spoke like a gentleman, but I was skeptical. He has been in before with other pieces and each time I explain that our policy requires verification before purchase and that it will take me at least twenty-four hours to complete the process, he leaves. That is our policy, though. We don’t want to buy paste. ”
“People try to sell you fake jewelry?” Franny asked.
“Only once,” Mr. Wagner said. “But now we know to be cautious.”
Franny’s head bobbed enthusiastically as if it were the most fascinating thing she’d ever heard.
“He showed up again this morning with a black eye,” Mr. Wagner said. “The same eye as the scar. He asked me to reconsider purchasing the jewelry at a slightly discounted price. He still refused to leave it for me to appraise, so I said ‘no’ and sent a missive to your office.”
“I bet he couldn’t sell them to anyone else,” Franny said.
Thunderation, the woman was intelligent. “He is getting desperate,” Edward said.
“The jewelry is fine indeed,” Mr. Wagner said. “I am certain they are genuine. But no legitimate jeweler would take a chance buying costly sets that might be stolen.”
Franny tsked. “He must be very bacon-headed to try to sell very expensive jewelry that someone is surely looking for in the same city he stole it.”
Edward wholeheartedly agreed. He mentally sorted through what he knew. He was looking for a tall man, who might or might not be a gentleman, had a scar above his black eye, and had the intelligence of a pudding.
He had to wonder why and how the pudding-head had a black eye. Was it the result of his trying to sell the jewelry to the wrong person, or in a different scuffle? Or was it just something he’d acquired through life as a thief?
“Would you compile a list of all of the pieces he has ever tried to sell you?” Edward asked.
“Of course,” Mr. Wagner said. “At least the ones I remember. Once I have the list complete, I shall send a message to your office with an errand boy.”
Edward held out his hand. “Thank you. Your assistance is invaluable. Lady Milton has offered a generous reward. She indicated that after this is behind her, she will thank you in person.”
Mr. Wagner’s cheeks turned scarlet. “Oh, my,” he murmured.
It seemed the beautiful dowager had a magical hold over every man with a libido, even the ancient married ones.
He and Franny left the store and strolled down the street side by side. Edward was deep in thought when Franny cut him off by leaping in front of him. Her cheeks glowing and her eyes bright, she bounced on her toes. “Where are we going next?”
As usual, Edward’s observations were correct. Firstly, Frances Valentine quite enjoyed investigating. And secondly, when she smiled at him, it was as if a golden ray of sunlight shot through his skin and bones to warm his soul.