“Thank you, and I must say you look elegant.”
“Fortunately I was able to squeeze into my ‘uniform’ from the Diplomatic Service without bursting too many buttons,” Alex joked.
“But I’m afraid I’ve got two left feet,” Samantha apologised.
“Not to worry. I’m an excellent teacher,” he assured her. She watched enviously as Michael and Annie glided effortlessly around the floor. She wished that she had been more attentive when her Grandmother had sent her to those social dancing classes when she was a child.
***
On New Years’ Day the four of them went for a long walk to work off some of the feast from the night before. That afternoon they assembled at Samantha’s and ate the leftovers from her solo Christmas lunch and Samantha broke out a small bottle of Bollinger for them to have with her present from Penny. New Year’s was one of the rare occasions when Samantha enjoyed a traditional champagne toast.
“I guess it’s as well that you didn’t take Penny up on her offer of a doggie bag,” Annie said appreciatively as she spooned a small mound of the Beluga onto a round of Melba toast.
“And this isn’t bad either,” Samantha said and indicated the pot of truffle pate that Annie had given her.
“We’ll need a second walk after all of this,” Alex said as he accepted the flute of champagne that Michael handed to him. “But first a toast to friends old and new.”
“I’ll second that,” Michael said and touched his glass to Annie’s.
***
On the Saturday, Samantha and Annie gave the men a grand tour of Oxford, followed by a concert at the Old Sheldonian Theatre. Samantha pointed out her niece in the third violinist’s chair and told them a bit about Maxim Vengerov, their new Artist in Residence.
Annie and Michael left to spend the weekend in Hampshire. Samantha and Alex trolled the countryside and the little antiques shops and generally just schlepped around.
“I can’t believe I have to go back in just two days’ time,” Alex said as they ate from the foldaway tables in the back room and watched The Antiques Roadshow on TV.
“We’ve been pretty busy,” Samantha agreed.
“Really?” Samantha said when she picked up the phone and walked into the kitchen with it so she would not disturb Alex.
“Yes, Alex doesn’t leave until Wednesday, why?” she asked.
“No, we have no special plans,” she said when Annie told her why she’d called. “That sounds great.”
“That was Annie,” Samantha said when she came back into the room. “She and Michael just got back from Hampshire. They wondered if we wanted to go to an auction in London on Tuesday morning.”
_________________________
Thirteen
Christie’s had announced that they would be auctioning off Lady Olivia Carrington’s estate on Tuesday the sixth of January. Michael was still on leave until the Friday so he did not need to go back to Hampshire until Thursday. He had agreed to chauffeur all of them to town. Alex drove over to Samantha’s right after breakfast. He parked the SUV behind the Figaro and went inside to wait until time for Michael and Annie to pick them up.
“That’s interesting,” Alex said as he walked over to the mantel to get a better look at the little silver replica trophy.
“You’ll never guess what it is,” Samantha said.
“I give up,” he said.
“Well, you know the Paper you gave at Amherst on Rachel Mellon’s jewellery?”
“Yes, but what’s that have to do with it?”
She explained about finding a Sotheby’s catalogue for the Rachel Mellon auction when she and Annie were in New York, and that she had put in an online bid for the figure. She also told him about their visit to the Museum at Newmarket after she got back home and how she had bought what turned out to be the original.
“So is this the original or the replica?” Alex asked.
“It’s only the replica,” Samantha said. “I certainly couldn’t afford the original!”
She left out the part about returning the original to the estate. She did not want him to think she was being self-righteous.
Samantha had reluctantly put on a pair of her cashmere trousers with her older tweed coat, even though she thought that her jeans would be more comfortable. Annie had said that they would probably go to lunch or tea after the auction and she did not want to be the odd one out. Alex had on a pair of corduroy trousers and a tweed sports coat. Thankfully he had not worn a tie.
Michael and Annie arrived right on time. The vintage Rolls pulled up at exactly nine-thirty as agreed.
“This is quite a toy,” Alex said as he admired Michael’s Phantom II.
“She is quite something,” Michael beamed, obviously more than happy to talk about his precious Rolls to an appreciative audience. “I’d wanted one for ages before I finally plucked up the courage to just go for it.”
“You aren’t in that Ghost Club I’ve read about by any chance?”
“Afraid so,” Michael confessed.
Annie and Samantha just looked at each other and shook their heads.
“Alex, why don’t you sit in front with Michael so you two can talk about cars,” Annie suggested. “Samantha and I have a lot to catch up on and it’s awkward trying to talk between the seats.”
Annie and Samantha exchanged a look that said ‘boys will be boys’ and climbed into the back.
The auction was part of Christie’s private sale services. It was not scheduled to begin until noon, but they wanted to get there in time to have a look around. Michael said that he had already booked to leave the car at Lucan Place, just around the corner from the auction house.
Quite a crowd had already arrived by the time they made their way to the sale room.
“I’m just going to register in case I want to bid on anything,” Samantha said as she headed to the back where the registration desk was set up.
“Shall I put some programmes down so we’ll be sure to have seats?” Annie suggested.
Samantha was already registered with the House so the admin took only a few minutes.
“Where are the boys?” She asked when she saw Annie looking at some fine paintings that were on one of the far walls.
“I’m not sure. They were here a minute ago. I guess they must be over on the other side. Are you looking for anything in particular?” Annie wanted to know.
“Nothing specific,” Samantha said. “You know I like anything Art Nouveau or Deco, but I’m not likely to find anything I can afford at this sale. There’s a table over by the door near the back with a few interesting bits and pieces on it. I think I’ll wander back there and have a look.”
Samantha went back in the direction of the office. She saw several standing lamps and some bookends and a few other odds and ends, but nothing that really caught her fancy. Then she spied exactly the sort of thing she liked. She went back to get her friend to see what she thought about it.
“It’s really lovely, but where would you put it?” Annie asked when Samantha showed her the tiny Tiffany style lamp.
“I suppose on top of the desk in that little niche beside the fireplace; the one in the living room, not the kitchen. But what’s the estimate?”
“I’m afraid it’s a thousand pounds,” Annie said. “It says that it’s signed but that the signature hasn’t been authenticated.”
“Hmmm. I’d be willing to go that high, but not more,” Samantha said. “But I really do love it. It looks awfully like the one in that painting we saw at the spa, don’t you think?”
“Gosh, Samantha, I was so busy admiring the woman in the painting and that gorgeous gown she was wearing, I’m afraid I didn’t pay much attention to anything else. But it does look quite special.”
“Look. Most of them have a bronze stem and base. I love the way the leaded glass design carries right down to the bottom on this one. I’ve never seen one exactly like it, except in the painting, of course.” Samantha pointed out the columns of green stem
med white flowers that seems to be floating up in water towards the familiar intricate mosaic dome.
“I like that it’s so small,” Annie said. “It couldn’t be more than eight or nine inches high. Oh, there goes the warning bell now. I guess we’d better take our seats.”
Alex and Michael were already seated on the chairs closest to the aisle. They moved over so that the ladies could have the two at the end.
“You take the one on the aisle, you won’t be able to see over anyone’s head otherwise,” Annie said as she slipped in next to Michael.
“Did you see anything you liked?” Michael asked.
“I didn’t, but Samantha saw a small Tiffany lamp that she’s thinking of bidding on,” Annie said.
“I’m sure it’ll go for more than my budget, although they only have a guide of a thousand pounds since they’ve only labelled it as a Tiffany style,” Samantha said.
Annie showed them No. 37. The small photograph did not do it justice.
They watched as one by one Olivia Carrington’s possessions scattered on the winds. Nearly everything reached more than the bottom estimate. Samantha had noticed on the Christie’s special sale programme that the proceeds would go to the Royal Air Force Benevolent Fund. She remembered that the newspaper had mentioned something about Lady Olivia’s voluntary work for the airmen over the years. Like Rachel Mellon, Lady Olivia seemed to have left at least part of her estate to a charitable cause.
“Your lamp is next,” Annie whispered as the assistant lifted the lamp up carefully from the table behind the auctioneer so that everyone could see. The bidding started low, at only one-fifty; Samantha was hopeful. They seemed reluctant to take a chance on the authenticity of the little object. A few bidders dropped out when it reached five hundred. When there was only one woman still in contention, Samantha raised her card.
“New bidder,” the auctioneer acknowledged her bid of five-fifty. She and the one other contender went back and forth until the bid reached nine hundred.
“Well, here goes my last shot,” Samantha whispered.
“One thousand,” Samantha indicated with her hand. She held her breath for what seemed like an age.
“Ten-fifty,” the other woman called out. “Damn,” Samantha whispered under her breath as she shook her head when the auctioneer looked her way.
“Eleven?” He asked the room.
“I have eleven,” he said. “Any advance?”
“I wonder who won it?” Samantha said as the hammer fell. “I saw that woman shake her head, so it must have been a new bidder.”
“I’m sorry it wasn’t you,” her friend commiserated.
“Never mind. It’s fun to bid on something even if you don’t win it in the end,” Samantha said philosophically.
At the interval they got up to stretch their legs.
“It looks like it’ll be mostly the large furnishings for the rest of the day,” Samantha observed as some of the Christie’s workers began to pull a few of the bigger items closer to the front of the room. “Unless anyone else wants to stay, I’m happy to leave while there’s a break.”
They agreed that they could all do with something to eat. It was already after two and they had all breakfasted early.
“Any suggestions for lunch?” Michael asked.
“I know where I’d like to go,” Samantha said.
“I do, too,” Annie agreed.
They told the men about the little tea room down the road.
“You can get lunch there as well, but they do have the most delicious scones,” Annie said.
“And we can just leave your car at the car-park until we get ready to head back home,” Samantha pointed out.
They walked the few blocks to the familiar tearoom. The lunchtime crowd had thinned out by the time they got there.
“Perfect timing,” Samantha said as a party of four got up from the table in front of the window where she and Annie liked to sit whenever they came there.
The server brought out lunch for Michael and Alex and a large plate of fresh scones with clotted cream and strawberry jam in pots for everyone to share.
“Cappuccinos for the Ladies?” He asked as he set the large white cups piled high with froth in front of Samantha and Annie.
“I’d forgotten just how wonderful the scones here were,” Annie said as she cut a second one in two and gave half to Samantha.
“Is this the place you told me about where your bag was stolen?” Michael asked.
“The very spot,” Annie smiled. “But it’s right on my lap this time, so no worries.”
“Do we have time for me to order another cappuccino?” Annie asked. “These are almost as good as yours, Samantha.”
“I think I’ll have another as well,” Samantha said.
“You girls go ahead. Alex and I’ll pop back and get the car and pick you up outside in about twenty minutes,” Michael said. “I’ve already taken care of the check.”
The men strode off towards the car-park while Samantha and Annie savoured their second round of cappuccinos.
“Oh, here they come now,” Annie said as the familiar Spirit of Ecstasy hood ornament came into view.
“It’s a shame you didn’t win the little lamp,” Annie said consolingly as they drove back home.
“Well, it wasn’t meant to be,” Samantha said. “I’m sure I’ll find a similar one sooner or later.”
“Don’t you have to leave tomorrow?” Annie asked Alex.
“I’m afraid so. Unfortunately duty calls. But I’ll be back,” he promised. “That is if I didn’t wear out my welcome this time.”
“Just tell me when, and I’ll call Stephany to book our ride,” Samantha laughed.
***
“I know you have a lot to get organized for your trip home, Alex, so we won’t stay,” Michael said as he and Annie dropped Samantha and Alex off in Chipping Norton. It was still only a little after five.
“I don’t know about you, but I could do with a bit of exercise,” Samantha said as they waved their friends off. “Are you up for another walk around the town?”
“Sam, this has been great,” Alex said as they made their second trip around the Village Green.
“It has been fun,” Samantha agreed. “And for once, Mother Nature didn’t let us down. I don’t think we’ve had a drop of rain since you got here.”
“Is there any chance you might get over to America before our conference next December?”
“I have one in February,” Samantha said. “Unfortunately, it couldn’t be further away from Virginia if it tried. It’s at Berkeley; the last weekend.”
“Damn. That’s the same weekend we have our standardization meetings at the College, and I’m meant to be chairing them,” Alex said. “I guess I’m going to have to come back over here if I don’t want to lose the girl to the guy in the white hat,” he laughed as he took her hand.
“Tell you what; our spring break is the first two weeks in April. If Stephany will trust me with Hari again, can I talk you into spending a week down in Devon?”
“I’m always open to that kind of bribery,” Samantha laughed. “But are you sure? It’s a long way to come for a hack when you have all those horses sitting in your own back yard. And April is just about the rainiest month of the year down there.”
“Then I guess I’ll have to go shopping for some waterproofs,” he said. “I can take a little rain if Hari can.”
They made two more turns around the Green before the cold began to seep through their light jackets.
“Soup and crusty bread?” Samantha asked as she held up the Marks’ potato and leek she had bought a few days before.
“Perfect. After that lunch and those scones, I don’t think I could manage anything more. I’ll set out the tables in the back while you heat it up,” Alex offered.
After they finished, Alex helped Samantha load the dishwasher and put everything away. Then he sprawled comfortably on one of the small sofas and Samantha leaned back and put her feet on the
hassock in front of the other.
“What time do you need to leave in the morning?” She asked.
“I think it took about an hour and a half coming up. I should leave around seven-thirty to allow for any delays,” Alex said. “Shall I call you in the morning before I go?”
“Why don’t you wait until you get to Heathrow and get the hire car turned in,” Samantha suggested. “Security’s a lot slower at this end, and you don’t want to be worrying about the time. Speaking of which, it’s gone nine. Don’t you have packing and checking out to take care of tonight?”
They hauled themselves up from the sofas and Samantha walked him to his car.
“Sam, I haven’t had this much fun in years,” Alex said as he gave her a tight hug and kissed her on the cheek. “I’m already looking forward to Spring Break.”
***
“Samantha, Michael left a package with me to give to you,” Annie said when she called the next morning. “He didn’t mention it until he left a little while ago or I would have called sooner. Do you want me to bring it over or do you just want to collect it next time you come by?”
“I can’t think what it could be,” Samantha said. “I don’t think I left anything in his car.”
“Did Alex get off all right?” Annie asked.
“He telephoned just a little while ago from Heathrow. He’d gone through security and was just waiting for them to let everyone board. I think they should just about be taking off now,” Samantha said as she glanced at the clock over the sink.
“He’s such a nice chap,” Annie said. “I can see why you’ve become such good friends.”
“He is,” Samantha agreed. “And of course he rides as well. Look, why don’t I just come and collect it now,” Samantha said. “If you don’t have any plans, I can bring you back here for lunch. I still have some of that soup and the bread that you like from Marks.”
“Are you sure?”
“Curiosity and the cat,” Samantha said. “I’ll be there in half an hour.”
Dancing at the Savoy: A Samantha Duncan Mystery (Samantha Duncan Mysteries Book 9) Page 13