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In the process of lowering himself into a seat, Eric froze, his head shooting up like a bullet. "You summoned us here to discuss Noelle? Why?"
"Because I believe she might be in danger."
That was obviously the last reply Eric had expected, and his entire demeanor changed. "Danger?" he repeated tentatively. "What kind of danger?"
"The kind spawned by her blood ties to Franco Baricci."
Silence.
Brigitte found her voice first. "Noelle told you about those ties?"
"No. I already knew of them. In fact, there's very little I don't know about Franco Baricci. And his reprehensible treatment of women is just the tip of the iceberg."
Eric had gone grey. "You'd better explain."
"I intend to." Ashford plunged in without further ado, relaying the necessary facts: his investigations into the missing paintings, his suspicions that Baricci was behind them, his determination to prove Baricci a criminal and see him behind bars. "I know the scoundrel is guilty. What's more, he knows I know. Now it's up to me to find proof."
"Where does Noelle fit into this?" Eric interrupted, the anger back in his voice. "Have you been using my daughter, deceiving her into believing you enjoy her company, when, in fact, you've wanted only to find out what she knows about that scum Baricci? Because if so, you're wasting your time. Noelle knows absolutely nothing—"
"If so, I'd be as contemptible as Baricci," Ashford corrected. "I do not use women, Lord Farrington. So, no, I'm not using your daughter. I did introduce myself to her in the hopes of learning more about Baricci—a fact, incidentally, that I've already admitted to Noelle—but I assure you, whatever's happened since then is entirely real, and entirely beyond my comprehension, much less my control." He held up a restraining palm. "We'll get to my relationship with Noelle later—you have my word. But first let's finish discussing Baricci.
"The day Noelle visited his art gallery, he sent for her. Did she tell you that?"
"Yes."
"Did she also tell you I escorted her and her lady's maid to the gallery?"
"Yes, Tremlett," Eric bit out. "It might surprise you to learn that, with the exception of embarking on that one impulsive trip to London, Noelle is not in the habit of keeping secrets from us."
"To the contrary, that doesn't surprise me at all. Noelle is extraordinarily open and honest. She also loves you both with all her heart. It's that love, however, which probably caused her to omit one or two details from her explanation."
"Such as?"
"Such as the fact that Baricci was preoccupied with how well-acquainted Noelle and I were, what role I played in her life. He questioned her about our association quite thoroughly, then formed who knows what conclusions."
"Oh no." Brigitte's hand flew to her mouth. "You said Baricci is aware of your suspicions about him. Given that you and Noelle arrived together, he must have assumed that her first-time appearance in his gallery was anything but a coincidence. He doubtless believes she's connected with your investigation."
"Exactly." Ashford nodded. "What's more, you're not the only one who came to that conclusion. Noelle did, too. She put two and two together, realized why I was circling Baricci like a hawk, and is now hell-bent on aiding me."
A harsh groan escaped Eric. "How?"
"Using the very tools he's provided us." Ashford paused, gauging his words carefully, well aware of the fine line he was about to walk. The instant he gave voice to Baricci's intimation that he and Noelle were lovers, Eric Bromleigh was going to erupt.
Perhaps the direct approach was the best.
"As Lady Farrington just said, Baricci assumes Noelle is working with me. He's just not quite sure how she factors into my plan or how deep her loyalties lie. The only thing he is certain of is how I secured those loyalties. He made that quite clear when he summoned Noelle to his office and stated his presumption that she and I were intimately involved."
Eric swore under his breath.
"Obviously, she denied his outrageous claim." Once again, Ashford weighed his words, this time for another, though no less difficult, reason. It was necessary that he broach the subject of Baricci's exploitation of women—yet, he was determined to
do so without mentioning Liza Bromleigh's name. It was bad enough he'd had to address Baricci's sordid allegations about Noelle. Dragging up painful memories of the past would be downright cruel to a man who was now a father and had, at one time, been a brother.
"As you well know, Baricci views women as pawns, there to seduce as a means to an end," he stated quietly.
A muscle worked in Eric's jaw. "Yes. I realize that."
"I bring that up only because it's the basis for Baricci's actions. Given that he relies upon seduction to secure what he wants, it stands to reason he's relying upon it now, using it to determine how committed Noelle is to me, as well as how much she knows."
