‘Not at all, your grace. It’s been a most enjoyable experience, and if the duke were ever to consider selling anything from his collection, we would be honoured to represent him.’
‘I can’t imagine the circumstances in which that would happen,’ said Virginia, ‘but if it should arise, I will be in touch immediately.’
‘Thank you. I still have time,’ he said, looking at his watch, ‘to check the lower ground floor before I leave.’
‘I can’t imagine you’ll find anything below stairs,’ said Virginia, ‘other than a few ancient pots and pans, and an antique Aga that I’ve been telling the duke should have been replaced years ago.’
Poltimore laughed dutifully, before finishing the last mouthful of his bread and butter pudding.
‘The car will be ready to take you to the station at two forty,’ said Virginia, ‘which should give you plenty of time to catch the five past three back to London.’
Virginia was talking to the gardener about planting a new bed of fuchsias when she looked up to see Poltimore running towards her. She waited for him to catch his breath, before he said, ‘I think I may have found something quite remarkable, but I’ll need to check with the head of our Chinese department before I can be absolutely certain.’
‘Your Chinese department?’
‘I nearly missed them, hidden away in a corner of the downstairs corridor, near the pantry.’
‘Missed what?’ said Virginia, trying not to display her impatience.
‘Two large blue and white vases. I checked the markings on the base, and I think they just might be Ming Dynasty.’
Virginia kept her tone casual. ‘Are they valuable enough to be added to the inventory?’
‘Without question, if they turn out to be originals. A similar pair, but much smaller than yours, came up at auction in New York a couple of years ago, and the hammer price was over a million dollars. I’ve taken some photographs of them,’ Poltimore continued, ‘in particular the distinctive markings on the base, which I’ll show to our Chinese expert as soon as I get back to Bond Street. I’ll write to let you know his opinion.’
‘I would prefer you to telephone me,’ said Virginia. ‘I wouldn’t want to get the duke’s hopes up, only to find it was a false alarm.’
‘I’ll call you some time tomorrow,’ Poltimore promised.
‘Good, then that’s settled,’ said Virginia, as a footman came out carrying a suitcase which he placed in the boot of the car.
‘I’ll say goodbye now, your grace.’
‘Not quite yet, Mr Poltimore,’ said Virginia, who joined him in the back. She waited until they had set off down the drive before whispering, ‘If the duke were to decide to sell the vases, how would you recommend he go about it?’
‘If our expert confirms they are Ming Dynasty, we would advise you which sale would be most appropriate for a piece of such historic importance.’
‘If possible, I’d like to sell them with the minimum of fuss and the maximum discretion.’
‘Of course, your grace,’ said Poltimore. ‘But I should point out that if the Hertford name were attached to the vases, one could expect them to fetch a far higher price. I’m sure you’re aware that two things really matter when a discovery of this potential importance comes up for auction: provenance, and when the piece last appeared on the market. So if you can combine the name of Hertford with three hundred years of history, frankly it would be an auctioneer’s dream.’
‘Yes, I can see that would make a difference,’ said Virginia, ‘but for personal reasons, the duke might want to remain anonymous.’
‘Whatever you decided we would, of course, abide by your wishes,’ said Poltimore as the car drew up outside the station.
The chauffeur opened the door to allow the duchess to get
out.
‘I look forward to hearing from you, Mr Poltimore,’ she said, as the train pulled into the station.
‘I’ll call you as soon as I have any news, and whatever decision you make, be assured that Sotheby’s will be proud to serve you with the utmost discretion.’ He gave a slight nod before climbing aboard.
Virginia didn’t return to the car, but crossed the footbridge to platform number two, and only had to wait for a few minutes before the London train pulled in. When she waved to the duke, he rewarded her with a huge smile.
‘Good of you to come and meet me, old gal,’ he said, bending down to kiss her.
‘Don’t be silly, Perry, I couldn’t wait to see you.’
‘Has anything interesting happened while I was away?’ the duke asked as he handed the stationmaster his ticket.
‘I’ve planted a bed of fuchsia, which should flower in the summer, but frankly I’m more interested in hearing everything that happened at your regimental dinner.’