The Virgin’s Secret

by Victoria Alexander

  “—the situation might well have been salvageable. Still, while Mr. Montini’s behavior was not excusable, it was somewhat understandable given the circumstances.” Beckworth paused. “You should know, my dear, that once the committee members’ ruffled feathers were smoothed—no easy task, I assure you—”

  “They can be quite stubborn.” Mrs. Beckworth sighed in a long suffering manner.

  “There was a great deal of interest in your brother’s claim. A find of this magnitude, the possibility that Ambropia might have actually existed, well, you can imagine the excitement.” He glanced at Nate. “Once the committee calmed down, of course. Still, there was no proof.”

  “As it had been stolen,” Gabriella said pointedly.

  “Now you tell me your brother had several men he suspected of either taking or engineering the theft of this seal?”

  She nodded.

  The director’s eyes narrowed. “You realize you cannot make charges of wrongdoing without proof of some sort. And, as the only proof that exists is your brother’s unsubstantiated claim, and as he was—”

  “Not at all, sir,” Nate cut in quickly. “I saw the clay impression made by the Montini seal myself.”

  The older man raised a brow. “The Montini seal?”

  Nate nodded. “It appeared quite genuine.”

  “Still, such things can be fraudulent.” The director shrugged. “And, as I imagine you do not have that impression—”

  “I do,” Gabriella said. “Enrico left it with me.”

  “There you have it, sir,” Nate said, stifling any show of surprise at her announcement, though it was the first time he’d heard of it. She could have mentioned she had the impression. She’d had the opportunity when they’d read and reread her brother’s letters, picking them apart word by word to determine if there was anything they had missed. She’d had the chance during dinners with his family when the conversation turned to their search. Most of the talk either centered on the Antiquities Society’s annual general meeting and the events associated with that, including the convening of the Verification Committee and the ball, or minor family matters. She’d seemed fascinated by what he considered not at all unusual.

  And after dinner each night, when they gathered in the parlor, and later when he escorted her to her rooms and resisted what was fast becoming more of a need than a mere urge to kiss her, again she had the opportunity to tell him about the impression. And again she kept silent. Still, he supposed it scarcely mattered at the moment.

  “These ancient cylinder seals were carved by hand,” he said to Beckworth now, “and no matter how perfectly crafted, there are always subtle differences between them. If we can find the seal that matches her impression, we have the Montini seal.”

  “And the thief,” Gabriella added.

  “My, that is clever,” Mrs. Beckworth said under her breath. “I wouldn’t have thought of that.”

  “Regardless.” The director shook his head. “Even should you recover the seal, proving whoever has it in his possession is the same man who actually stole it might well be impossible.” He glanced at Nate. “You know how difficult culpability would be to prove in a matter like this. And how quickly artifacts might change hands. Furthermore, when you consider that Lord Rathbourne, with his influence and resources, is among—”

  “Mr. Beckworth.” Gabriella’s hands, folded in her lap, tightened, the knuckles white. Abruptly, Nate realized her calm had a price. His heart twisted for her. “I came to the realization some time ago that whoever physically stole the seal—an act which I believe led to my brother’s death—will never be punished for that particular crime. As you say, it would be impossible to prove. Then too is the question of jurisdiction, of where it was stolen. England? Egypt? Somewhere in between?”

  “Then I don’t see—”

  “All I want is to recover the seal and prove it is the same one my brother had.” She drew a deep breath. “Thus restoring his reputation. I want him to be credited with the find. Nothing more than that.”

  Beckworth studied her carefully. “But the seal alone is worth a great deal of money. So is the possibility that it is part of a puzzle that will solve the Virgin’s Secret, the location of the lost city itself.”

  “I don’t care,” Gabriella said simply.

  “Others might.”

  She shrugged. “Let them.”

  Beckworth’s gaze shifted back to Nate. “This search of yours could prove to be dangerous.”

  While neither he nor Gabriella had mentioned the idea of danger, Nate was well aware of the possibility. It was among the reasons why he thought coming to the society made sense.

  “I fully intend to donate the seal to the society,” Gabriella said quickly. “As for the location of the city…” She paused, and Nate wondered if she was again letting go of her own dreams. “…that is not my concern. And while there may well be some risk involved, that shall not dissuade me. Risk, sir, is always a possibility when one attempts to do what is right.”

  “What a courageous girl you are,” Mrs. Beckworth said softly.

  “Not at all.” Gabriella sat a little straighter, if possible. “I am simply…” She blew a long breath. “…angry, I think. I want my brother’s legacy restored.”

  “Understandable, of course.” Beckworth considered her thoughtfully. “But I don’t see how I can be of help.”

  “Sir.” Nate leaned forward. “We are here today because it strikes me that even something as simple as Miss Montini and I making inquires about the seal is somewhat awkward. We have no authority in the matter other than a personal interest. I thought that perhaps if the society, if you—”

  “You want me to make this an official inquiry?” Beckworth’s bushy brow rose.

  Gabriella cast Nate a sharp look.

  “Exactly.” Nate nodded. “As Miss Montini fully intends to give the seal to the society should we prove successful, it seems to me the society has a vested interest in its recovery.”

  “Well, I suppose…” the older man said slowly.

  “If she and I could act as representatives of the society—agents, if you will—it would ease our way to speak to those who might be involved.”

  “You plan to talk to those you suspect?” Beckworth scoffed.

  “Well, we simply can’t break into their lodgings,” Gabriella said under her breath.

  “Confronting the culprit might well force him to show his hand,” Nate went on. “We might then be able to come to an agreement about credit for the find, perhaps even sharing it.” Gabriella slanted him a disbelieving glance. “It seems to me, sir, that whoever has the seal will want to present it to the Verification Committee just as Miss Montini’s brother planned to do last year. It’s worthless otherwise.”

  “Unless they were planning to use it to find the lost city,” Mrs. Beckworth said thoughtfully.

  Gabriella shook her head. “My brother believed the seal was one of a set and that there are probably at least two more. He thought together they would somehow reveal the location of the city. One alone would not be sufficient.”

  “How very interesting,” Mrs. Beckworth murmured.

  Beckworth ignored his wife. “Why not wait until it is presented to the committee to make your claim? Why go to all this trouble before then?”

  “That would be too late,” Gabriella replied. “Someone else would have claimed the credit for finding the seal. Regardless,” she raised her chin, “I do not intend to let this matter drop. Should the seal be presented and its legitimacy verified, I should be forced to make the circumstances surrounding it public. Such a revelation would certainly create a scandal, at least in scholarly circles, as well as among the society’s benefactors. As the society has a reputation of integrity to maintain, and as it is financially dependent upon donations, it would seem to me such a revelation would be most unfortunate.”

  The director narrowed his eyes. “That sounds suspiciously like blackmail, my dear.”

  “Not at a
ll, sir. It doesn’t ‘sound’ like blackmail.” Gabriella met the older man’s gaze directly. “I believe it is blackmail.”

  Nate stared at her. One never would have imagined the pretty, dark-haired woman with the eyes of an angel and the straight-backed bearing of a proper English lady had it in her. Oh, yes, there was much more to the delectable Gabriella Montini than met the eye. She was definitely a woman with secrets. It was very nearly irresistible.

  “I wouldn’t have thought it of you, Gabriella.” The director settled back in his chair.

  The faintest hint of a smile quirked her lips. “I wouldn’t have thought it of myself, sir, but one does what one must.”

  “Very well, then.” The director tapped his pen on the desk in a thoughtful manner. “You may consider yourselves agents of the society in respect to this matter, and you may use the society’s name accordingly. However,” his gaze shifted pointedly to Nate, “should there be any activity of a…shall we say, less than lawful nature—”

  “Sir!” Nate sat up straighter. “We would never—” At once, Quint’s lingering reputation sprang to mind, as well as Gabriella’s apparent tendency toward larceny. “You have my assurances—”

  “Yes, yes, I’m certain I do.” Beckworth waved his comment away. “Nonetheless, should such an incident occur, I would be forced to disavow any knowledge of your actions. Furthermore.” his gaze bored into Nate’s, “I will hold you personally responsible. Should this quest of Miss Montini’s bring any dishonor whatsoever upon this august institution, I will see to it that you and that renegade brother of yours are never allowed to so much as cross the threshold here again.”

  “Which brother sir?” Nate drew his brows together, although he knew full well which brother. “Surely you’re not speaking of the earl? The Earl of Wyldewood?”

  “You know exactly which brother I am talking about. I am well aware of the earl’s position on the board here, as well as your father’s before him. And I am equally aware of your family’s financial support. Regardless,” Beckworth’s eyes narrowed, “this is not an idle threat. If you bring so much as a modicum of disgrace or scandal, not only will I ban you from these premises but I will use every bit of influence at my disposal to make certain no reputable university, museum, or private collector will so much as accept your calling card.”

  “That’s rather harsh, dear,” Mrs. Beckworth said.

  “Sir.” Gabriella’s brow furrowed. “Mr. Harrington and his family are assisting me, but this is entirely my endeavor. Therefore, if there are any unforeseen consequences, they should fall entirely on my head. Not Mr. Nathanial Harrington, nor Mr. Quinton Harrington, nor any member of their family.”

  “Gabriella.” Beckworth’s expression softened. “In spite of your rather surprising willingness to resort to actions that are beneath you, I fully understand the emotional nature of the situation. As brilliant as I have always thought you to be, you are a member of the fairer sex, after all, and therefore such things—while not condoned—may be overlooked.”

  Gabriella choked. “I am not—”

  “Sir,” Nate said quickly, to forestall her saying something they would both regret, or at least he would. “You have my word I shall not do anything to cast this institution in a disreputable light. Nor will I allow Miss Montini to…well…allow her feminine emotions, as it were, to overrule her head.”

  Gabriella’s jaw clenched.

  “And I will do all in my power as well to ensure her safety.”

  “See that you do.” Beckworth gestured at his wife. “Mrs. Beckworth will check our files. We should have information as to where Mr. McGowan will be staying and when he is expected to arrive in London that will prove helpful to you.” Mrs. Beckworth nodded and hurried out of the office. “I assume you know where to find Lord Rathbourne?”

  “Yes, sir,” Nate said.

  “He is…” The director thought for a moment. “…‘ruthless,’ I think is the word, when it comes to his collections, and extremely possessive. It’s my understanding he does not display them but rather keeps them locked away. There have been any number of rumors through the years regarding the manner of his acquisitions.” The older man’s gaze met Nate’s. “I suspect there are no lengths he would not go to protect what he considers his.”

  Nate acknowledged the warning in Beckworth’s eyes with a nod. Beckworth rose to his feet, Nate and Gabriella following suit.

  His wife returned and handed Nate a piece of paper. Her gaze met his. Her eyes were the cool, pale blue color of ice, at odds with the warmth in her voice. “If there is anything else you need, do not hesitate to call on us. We have always been fond of Gabriella.”

  “If there is nothing else,” Beckworth said, “I have a great deal of work to do, what with the Verification Committee as well as the meeting of the general membership bearing down upon us. Mr. Harrington, Gabriella.” He cast her an affectionate smile. “Do be careful, my dear.”

  “And we will see you both in a few days, I assume.” Mrs. Beckworth’s gaze shifted between Nate and Gabriella in a speculative manner. “At the ball?”

  The Antiquities Society Ball marked the beginning of the ten day meeting of the Verification Committee. The committee would adjourn at noon on its final day, the annual general membership meeting following an hour or so later. Reggie and his mother had been talking about the ball ever since he returned home. This would be the first year his sister was old enough to attend. His mother and Sterling, of course, made an appearance every year. Nate couldn’t remember the last time he and Quinton had attended.

  Gabriella shook her head. “I really don’t think—”

  “Of course we will.” Nate favored the older woman with his most charming smile. “We wouldn’t think of missing it.” He took her hand and raised it to his lips. Again the look in her eyes struck him as cold. Nonsense, he told himself. It was simply the pale color that made them appear so. “And I do hope you will save a dance for me.”

  She smiled. “I shall indeed, Mr. Harrington.”

  Nate grinned. “Good day, then.” He nodded at the director. “Sir.”

  Gabriella murmured a polite farewell. Nate took her elbow and steered her firmly out of the office. The moment they were out of the Beckworths’ presence, her jaw tensed, her posture stiffened, and her eyes narrowed. As much as he didn’t know about Gabriella Montini, only a man long dead in his grave would fail to recognize the timeless signs of a woman who was not happy, especially with the man at her side. He braced himself.

  When they stepped out of the building, she shook off his hand and turned to him, her blue eyes glittering with anger in the sunlight. “What on earth were you thinking?” She glared. “Coming here? To them?”

  “You didn’t have a plan,” he said calmly, and looked down the street for his carriage. “You had no idea where we should begin.”

  “You could have mentioned this was where we were going! You didn’t tell me this was your plan.” She fairly spat the word.

  “You wouldn’t have come.”

  “Of course I wouldn’t have come. This is the last place—”

  “Gabriella.” He met her gaze directly. “We needed a certain amount of authority, credibility. Legitimacy, if you will.”

  Her eyes narrowed. “My claim is perfectly legitimate.”

  “I understand that—”

  “And as for credibility, even if I am a female without a brain in her head—”

  “No one said anything of the sort. In fact, your intelligence was highly praised by Beckworth.”

  She snorted with disdain. “For a woman.”

  “For anyone. You needn’t be so indignant about Beckworth’s appraisal.”

  “Perhaps I am allowing my feminine emotions to overrule my head!”

  “Perhaps you are.” He gritted his teeth. “You know full well the limitations on women in this world. You acknowledged them yourself when we talked about your desire to follow your brother’s path in life.”

  “You
suggested sharing credit! I have no intention of doing so.”

  “It was a suggestion, nothing more.” Where was his blasted carriage?

  “He charged you with my protection! I don’t need—”

  “You most certainly do.” His patience snapped. “You are irrational on this subject. Thus far your actions have been anything but sensible and well thought out.”

  She gasped.

  “Can you deny it?” He grabbed her elbow and stared into her eyes. “You could be in jail right now. First you attempt to search my brother’s library at my sister’s ball. Then you break into my house—” A thought struck him and he paused. “Have you done anything else I should know about?”

  She hesitated for no more than a fraction of a second, but it was enough. He could see there was something she still kept from him. She squared her shoulders. “No, of course not.”

  He didn’t believe her for a second, and vowed to himself to find out what else she might have done in this quest of hers. “Why didn’t you tell me that you had the impression?”

  “Oh.” Her eyes widened. “That.”

  “Yes, that!”

  She shrugged. “You didn’t ask.”

  “So much for trust and leaps of faith,” he said sharply.

  “It’s not that I don’t trust you,” she said quickly. “It simply slipped my mind, that’s all.”

  “I don’t believe you.” He released her and waved at his carriage that had just turned onto the street.

  Her forehead furrowed. “Why not?”

  “As you said, Gabriella.” The carriage pulled to a stop in front of them and he jerked open the door. The waiting maid stared at him with widened eyes and slid back into the farthest corner of the carriage. “Trust has to be earned.”

  He helped her in and snapped the door shut.

  “Furthermore I have no intention of attending that ball.” She huffed.

  “Oh yes you will. It’s in your best interests to make an appearance, and you will do so.”

  She glared. “You cannot order me as if I were—”