The Theft (Thornton 2)

Anticipation restored, Noelle caught Ashford's hand, tugged him towards the house. "Come. Let's go inside and I'll tell you my news."

The excitement in Noelle's voice found its mark, and Ashford reacted instantly. "Mary told you something?"

"She told me something and she gave me something. Now it's up to us to make good use of both."

* * *

"She was afraid of him?" Ashford's fingers paused in the act of unfolding Noelle's handkerchief. "Mary's sure?"

"It certainly seemed that way to her, yes." Noelle flitted about the sitting room, unable to stand still as she awaited Ashford's reaction when he saw the earrings. "He was from the Continent. He courted her heavily, beginning about two months ago. And he hailed from a world of cultural beauty—a world of color and passion. That was Emily Mannering's description."

"We know someone who fits that description exactly," Eric mu

ttered, tossing off his drink and eyeing the handkerchief expectantly. "Emily Mannering might just as well have supplied Baricci s name."

"Well, well." Ashford held up the dainty pieces of jewelry. "What have we here? A lover's gift?"

Noelle practically pounced on him. "Can we trace their origin? Find out where they were purchased and by whom? Will that lead us to Baricci?"

A corner of Ashford's mouth lifted in response to Noelle's accomplished and enthusiastic sleuthing. "That depends upon whether they were bought legally, locally, and by Baricci." Despite his teasing grin, the pride in Ashford's eyes was genuine. "But this is far more than we had before. Nice work."

Noelle's smile was smug. "I thought so."

Eric walked over and assessed the earrings. "They certainly aren't what I'd expect from Baricci. They're elegant, not flamboyant."

"True. Then again, we've never seen examples of gifts Baricci presents to his paramours—have we?" Ashford asked Eric tactfully.

"No."

"There's a good reason for that. Baricci has never been known to give keepsakes to the women he seduces. He relies strictly upon his charm. He must have been unusually eager to win Emily Mannering's attentions to give her these. As for their elegance—maybe Baricci's taste in jewelry is less ostentatious than he is. On the other hand, maybe his funds were limited and this was all he could muster—until he sold a few more stolen paintings."

"So where does this leave us?" Eric asked. "We already suspected Baricci and Emily Mannering were lovers. For all we know, the police have already confirmed that fact, interrogated Baricci about their relationship, and found out he was with her on the night of the theft. That doesn't prove he stole the painting or killed Emily Mannering."

"True," Ashford concurred. "So it's up to us to encourage the police to become more suspicious. For instance, if Baricci is proven to be Emily's lover, perhaps we can establish a pattern for his visits and ascertain when his affections suddenly surfaced and intensified. The latter we'll accomplish by confirming if and when he purchased those earrings, the former by questioning the servants about the exact dates they were sent away. And if those visits all occurred within a cluster of time just before the robbery, we'll go back to the police, armed with Mary's suspicions that her mistress was afraid of her lover, and suggest that Baricci had a hand in the theft. We'll even propose the idea that he'd already threatened Emily—which would explain her nervousness."

"Will they arrest him on such sketchy evidence?"

"I doubt it. But they will go back and interrogate him again, this time not so pleasantly. And that will open up the Pandora's box Baricci is dreading, especially since I'm sure he's still in possession of that Rembrandt. No matter how valuable it is, it's now linked to a murder investigation. Which will make it nearly impossible to sell." Ashford shot Eric and Noelle a triumphant look. "In short, Baricci will become highly unnerved by another, more intensive police visit. And I'll be sure to add to that apprehension by being present, by adding whatever pressure I can."

"It sounds promising," Eric agreed.

"Oh, it is. And it all begins with these." Ashford studied the earrings, turned them over in his palm. "Noelle, you said that, according to Mary, Lady Mannering's suitor gave these to her a month or two ago. Fine. I'll assume it was before the holidays, use that as a starting point. I intend to find out exactly when they were bought and by whom." A quick glance at the clock. "It's too late in the day to check out the conventional locations, such as London jewelers. But if they were bought through other means…" Ashford tucked the earrings back into the handkerchief. "I'll see what I can accomplish."

"Tonight?" Noelle asked in dismay.

Ashford gave her a reassuring look. "Don't worry. I'm more than accustomed to this kind of work. I'll be fine."

"I wasn't worried about your ability to survive among London's reprobates," she retorted, too upset to mince words, despite her father's presence. "I was hoping you'd stay for dinner, that we'd have a chance to talk."

Steadily, he gazed at her. "Not tonight, Noelle. Much as I'd like to stay, I have a job to do."

Noelle wanted to strike him, that's how frustrated she was. She was certain his eagerness to leave had nothing to do with Baricci and everything to do with the conversation they'd begun outside and never finished.

Why was he so reluctant to talk? What had happened at Markham? What was it he was still determined to keep from her?

Ashford crossed over, touched her cheek. "I'll be back tomorrow after I speak with the jewelers."

Not tonight, Noelle. Much as I'd like to stay, I have a job to do.