The Artist and the Rake (The Merry Misfits of Bath 4)

She covered her mouth with her hands. “I never thought I would see these again.”

“Miss Davenport, if you will accompany me to the office, I would like to discuss these paintings with you.” Mr. Walker waved his hand in the direction of a door at the back of the gallery.

As if in a dream, she followed behind the man, Marcus at her side, his soggy handkerchief still crushed in her hand.

Once they were all seated, Marcus said, “Let me tell Miss Davenport how this all came about.”

Mr. Walker nodded and Marcus turned to her, taking her hand in his. “I thought it quite strange that Mrs. O’Leary would keep your possessions, but not the paintings. You said you were about to have an art show in your town when your family became ill. That convinced me that your paintings were worth money. Since Mrs. O’Leary is greedy, among other things, I believed she would not have destroyed your paintings, but would try to sell them.

“I have been searching art galleries in Bath for a few days now.”

“But how did you know these are mine?”

“As all artists do, you initialed them in the corner. I also asked each art gallery owner if a woman had brought in a number of paintings within the last few weeks for the purpose of selling them.”

“I never gave that a thought.” She hopped up from her chair and poun

ded her fist in the palm of her hand. “That woman is a scoundrel! Not only did she sell me to a brothel, she stole my paintings and tried to sell them.”

“Easy, love.” Marcus took her hand and drew her back down. “We have recovered the paintings, so all is well.”

Mr. Walker cleared his throat. “The reason I believed Mr. Mallory when he told me your story was the fact that I found something…should we say suspicious about Mrs. O’Leary’s story.”

“What did she tell you?” Lizbeth asked.

“That she was the representative of the artist who never went out in public. She showed me a paper, that I realize now was worthless, giving her authority to sell the paintings on the artist’s behalf.”

“How did she ever think she could get away with this?” Lizbeth asked.

Marcus shrugged. “Since you were supposed to be ‘unavailable’ for a long time to come, no one would be the wiser. The paintings have been here for weeks.”

“That woman has got to be made to pay.”

Mr. Walker cleared his throat again. “On a happier note for you, Miss Davenport, I have already sold four of your paintings and if you wish to continue with this gallery, I am confident we can sell the others. Plus, I would like to offer a permanent place in my gallery for any future paintings.”

Lizbeth patted her eyes again with Marcus’s handkerchief. “Yes. However, I would like to take back a few of them. Family members, pets, that sort of thing. There are maybe six or seven of those. The rest I would love to sell through your gallery, Mr. Walker.”

Marcus leaned back in his chair and turned to her. “I have gone over Mr. Walker’s contract and I find it to be quite fair. I have studied contracts from other galleries and his is similar.”

She raised her brows. “You’ve been quite busy.” Once more she patted her eyes. “Thank you.”

“I would do anything to put a smile on your face.” His eyes told her so much more than his words.

Mr. Walker broke in. “If you will wait for a few minutes, I will go through my ledger and write you a cheque for what is owed for the paintings that have already been claimed. I have been holding the money, reluctant to tell Mrs. O’Leary that paintings sold because I sensed something wrong with the whole thing.”

“Yes. That is wonderful.” She turned to Marcus. “I’m being paid.”

“Indeed, you are, sweeting. And rightly so.”

The next day being Saturday, Marcus had convinced Lizbeth to forego a visit to the police about Mrs. O’Leary stealing her paintings and instead spend the day painting and then attend the Assembly that night.

He found the assemblies in Bath much more pleasant than the balls in London. The women in Bath didn’t seem as malicious as they did in Town. He’d certainly seen his sister, Addie cut down enough times to know how hurtful some young ladies could be.

When he finished with his business each day, he spent some time watching Lizbeth paint and it was obvious from her initial sketching and then painting that she was extremely talented. He promised he would help carry her painting supplies outdoors once the weather was warm enough.

“Are you saying you expect to still be here in Bath by spring?” She looked wide-eyed at him which did make him consider what exactly was he planning on doing? His initial idea had been to visit his sister in anticipation of meeting his new niece or nephew and to get a break from London. Then his visit turned into helping Lizbeth.

She was now doing well, having recovered her paintings and making money on the ones she left at the art gallery. They would visit the police on Monday and give them the information on the stolen paintings. With a signed document from Mr. Walker, along with the copy of the contract Mrs. O’Leary had signed, there was no way they would not be able to charge her with thievery. Grand larceny.