With Alvirah diverting Anna’s attention away from him, Devon gratefully focused on the table to his right. He closely studied Lady Emily Haywood’s pearls. Magnificent, he thought. But tinsel compared with her emeralds. A worthy challenge for the international jewel thief known as the “Man with One Thousand Faces.” No expense had been spared to ensure he could stay close to Lady Em and the precious Cleopatra necklace.
He suddenly remembered what he had heard about Alvirah Meehan. She had been instrumental in solving a number of crimes. But it would be better if she didn’t get involved this time. Between Alvirah and Anna, they could make my job harder, he thought grimly.
After the caviar, a small bowl of soup, a salad and a serving of fish, the main course choices were served. A suitable wine was offered with each course. After dessert, a small bowl, half-filled with water, was placed in front of each diner.
Willy looked at Alvirah pleadingly. Alvirah looked at Ted Cavanaugh and watched as he dipped his fingers in the bowl and dried them with the napkin in his lap, then moved the bowl and saucer to the left of his plate. Alvirah followed his example, and Willy followed hers.
“Is this what they call a finger bowl?” Anna asked.
I wonder what else we’re supposed to call it, Devon thought to himself dryly.
“More dinners like this and I’ll be big as a house,” Anna sighed.
“You’ve got a long way to go.” Willy smiled.
Anna turned her attention to Devon. As dinner was ending, she said, “I know there’s entertainment in the ballroom tonight. Would you like to accompany me?”
“Thank you. But I don’t think so.”
“Well then, would you consider a nightcap?”
Devon stood up. “No,” he said firmly.
He had intended to follow Lady Haywood’s group if they went to watch the entertainment or into one of the ship’s bars for a cocktail. He wanted to try to insinuate himself into her company. But that wouldn’t happen with a type like Anna DeMille hanging on him.
“I’m afraid I have some phone calls to return. Good night, everyone.”
13
At dinner Lady Em had introduced her guests to Professor Henry Longworth, then turned to Celia. “My dear, I know that you have met Brenda, but I don’t believe you have met Roger Pearson and his wife Yvonne. Roger is my financial advisor and also the executor of my will, and of course, I hope I will not require his services in that area for many years to come.”
Lady Em laughed. “I heard someone refer to me as a ‘tough old bird,’ and while not flattering, I believe it’s true.” If only it were true, she thought wistfully. They all laughed and lifted their wineglasses as Roger said, “A toast to Lady Emily. I know we are all honored to be with her.”
Celia noticed that Henry Longworth raised his glass, but was somewhat taken aback by the all-inclusive toast. He hardly knows her, she thought. He was literally forced to join her and now he’s supposed to be honored by her presence. Then when he looked in her direction and raised his eyebrows, she knew that was exactly what he was thinking.
When the caviar arrived, Lady Em looked at it with satisfaction. “Now this is the way caviar was served in the old days on a cruise.”
“My guess is that in a restaurant you’d be paying two hundred dollars apiece for this much,” Roger observed.
“For the price of this trip there should be a bowl of it,” Brenda observed.
“Which doesn’t mean we won’t be enjoying it,” Roger smiled.
“Brenda is so careful with my money,” Lady Em said. “She wouldn’t accept a suite next to mine. She insisted on going to the level below.”
“And it’s perfectly luxurious,” Brenda said firmly.
Lady Em then turned to Celia. “Do you remember I once told you my favorite quote about jewelry?”
Celia smiled. “Yes, I do. ‘People will stare. Make it worth their while.’?”
Everyone at the table laughed.
“Very good, Celia. The famous Harry Winston told me that when I met him at a state dinner at the White House.”
She explained to the others, “Celia is a gem expert. She’s the one I consult when I buy jewelry or have any of my pieces checked for scratches or chips. Of course I enjoy wearing my best jewelry. What in heaven’s name do you own jewelry for, except to wear it? Some of you may have read that on this trip I will be wearing the emerald necklace that was rumored to have been created for Cleopatra. My late husband’s father bought it over one hundred years ago. I have never worn it in public. It is simply priceless. But it seemed fitting that with the majesty of this beautiful ship, I should wear it on the formal nights. On my return to New York I plan to donate it to the Smithsonian Institution. It is so exquisite that I want the world to see it.”
“Is it true that there is a statue of Cleopatra wearing what is believed to be that necklace?” Professor Longworth asked.
“Yes, that is true. And, as I’m sure you know, Celia, emeralds in Cleopatra’s time were not usually treated the way they are now to bring out every facet of their brilliance. The craftsman who treated these emeralds was far ahead of his time.”
“Lady Em, are you sure you want to part with that necklace?” Brenda protested.
“I am. It’s time to let the public appreciate it.”
She turned to Henry Longworth. “When you lecture, do you recite any passages from Shakespeare?”
“Yes, I do. I select some and then ask the audience for particular ones they might like to hear.”
“I’ll be there in a front seat,” Lady Em said emphatically.
They all murmured that they would be there as well, except for Roger’s wife, Yvonne, who had no intention of listening to a lecture about Shakespeare.
A few minutes earlier she had spotted some people she knew from East Hampton; she excused herself and went to join them.
Captain Fairfax’s table was in the center of the room. As dinner was ending, he stood up. “We do not usually serve a formal meal on the first night at sea,” he said. “But we have made an exception. We wanted you to begin to experience the fascinating journey you will enjoy over the next five days. Our entertainment tonight is the opera singers Giovanni DiBiase and Meredith Carlino singing selections from Carmen and Tosca. I wish you a very pleasant evening.”
“I would very much enjoy hearing them,” Lady Em said as she stood up. “But I am a bit weary. I invite anyone who wishes to come join me for a nightcap in the Edwardian Bar.”
Like Yvonne, Celia declined, explaining that she had to prepare for her lecture. Back in her suite she allowed herself to think about the possible consequences of Steven telling People magazine that she was involved in his theft.
He is such a liar, she thought. He was born lying. Everything he told me was a lie.
The press coverage immediately following Steven’s arrest at their rehearsal dinner had left her shell-shocked. Then it got worse. His father, a wealthy oil and gas investor from Houston, called her and explained that Steven had been disowned by the family. He also said that Steven had a wife and child they were supporting in Texas.