Having brought the trunk down from the attic the count stood in the bedroom looking at it. He had not opened it in over a year; there did not seem any need. It was only a token gesture on his part but in the circumstances it may hold more weight than he knew. He had the key in his hand and opened the lid.
Removing the sword case and belt he moved quickly to empty it contents onto the bed. He laid the uniform out in a very short amount of time. Next he retrieved the cases that held his medals, orders and the sash they would sit next to and on. Lastly he removed the hat box and his boots. He sat on the end of the bed with the sword box on his lap. His finger traced his engraved name on the brass disk inserted in the lid “Captain Sigmond Bathony from a proud family”. Lifting the lid he found everything was in order the blue gilt blade was still parade bright, the heavy chased German silver guard with its ibex horn grip still like new.
As he began dressing as he was remembering back to yesterday and the frantic work Perkins and he had undertaken securing the lines of credit he would need if the purchase of the items went ahead. His bank had been the most helpful and the vast majority of the funds had come from them. His account manager at Coutts had been a client and so had the knowledge needed to see the opportunity in front of them. He had not wanted to come on board as a partner but had given the Count very good terms for the loan.
Perkins had also given a sizeable investment and as per their standing partnership Sarah Evans had provided funds in a first refusal arrangement at markets rates. The Count felt that Mrs Evans would likely to take an interest in the silver and the pieces by more prominent makers. As he had no idea what was to be available it may all come to nothing.
Perkins was to accompany him to Windsor on the train and waited while he conducted the transaction. Delivery would take place at a later date but he still required some company and protection as he would be unable to go openly armed. He had his sword but Perkins would have his Browning automatic pistol so they would be suitably defended.
They had closed up the shop for the day and as he descended the stairs Perkins let out a whistle. The Count could not help letting out a smile:
”Be careful First Sergeant Perkins or you can put on your dress uniform and show off that Military medal for the Duchess. Just make sure I don’t arse end on the pavement as I get into the taxi.”
He gave a comical look of dread as he held open the door Perkins added;
”But you look so pretty, you foreign types sure know how to dress for these Court events. So you have three formal uniforms?
”Not anymore but yes, this is the Court uniform and there is a mess uniform and a parade uniform. This is the only one I have left but I could get Garrecks to make the others up they have the patterns on file for most standing armies.”
Once through the station and into the first class carriage on the train the journey to Winsor had been very quick. They had opted for an express service with no stops so arrived in the station in good time. As he exited the taxi at the front gates to Windsor castle Perkins said he would wait for the Count outside the pub across the square. He had a regimental history he was currently reading and a small stack of their competitors’ catalogues under his arm. He could guarantee the first would be the latest Maggs catalogue it had been an obsession of Perkins as to how they source their stock and the Count knew he was not any closer to an answer.
The gates loomed above him as he crossed the square. He checked his breast pocket for the invitation but he knew he was expected so would not need to show it. As he entered the arch he saw a small window off to the left with a livery attired gentleman. He looked the Count over then said;
”Count Bathony you are expected. Firstly there are no firearms to be taken into the grounds; I remind you that you are under military law once you enter. Someone will arrive shortly to escort you to the lodge; they will wait and escort you back to the gates. Please sign in the book and have a pleasant afternoon.”
Ten minutes later a tall gentleman dressed in a frock coat and wig arrived and escorted the count through the courtyard and into a carriage that was waiting. The ride took about twenty minutes before they arrived at a detached house with its own garden in the larger castle gardens. The attendant pointed to the door and took a seat on a bench at the garden gate.
The Count felt he was in an absurd Lewis Carrol adventure. Standing by the gate dressed in his Court uniform about to have an audience with the highest surviving member of the Russian Imperial family, the Count nearly shock his head. The attendant was still watching him so he strode up to the door and knocked.
Almost immediately it opened and a formally dressed dark haired woman address him;
”Count Bathony, I am Lady Margrete Rickneave one of the Duchess ladies in waiting, please enter.”
She leads him to a front parlor while asking about his journey. As the Count expected she closed the door and took a seat;
”As I believe you know this is a delicate matter for the imperial family, a first in their history in fact. As such we would expect it to remain a secret as to where the objects have originated from. Furthermore the Duchess does not wish to have to deal with others after today therefore you must purchase them outright or not at all.”
She watches the Count for any reaction before continuing after he gives her an affirmative nod;
”We have created a list of the items, it is complete but this may not be the last. The Duchess would like to meet you after you have viewed the collection. I am sure I don’t have to tell you she does not wish to discuss the sale. If you will follow me you may view the items in the dining room.”
As the Count moved through the house he noticed it was sparsely furnished in English antiques. The lady in waiting ushered him through and before closing the door behind him said.
”Please take your time, My lady would want you to have an understanding of the collection. I can answer any questions once you are done. Thank you Count.”
The Count stood for several minutes gazing at the table and its collected treasures. He first read the list that was several pages long. It not only listed the items but gave information on makers and retailers as well as limited provenance information. As he read he made notes as if it was an auction catalogue, as he had thought the items were high grade luxury items made by some of the greatest production houses in the western and eastern world. But there was nothing that was so famous as to be directly linked to the imperial family. Several items had crests or monograms but they were from minor noble houses. The Count surmised that most of the items where inherited either through marriage or a death outside of the family.
He first moved to the three breakfront book cases, best to start with what I know he thought. An initial spine scan had turned up the usual religious texts, though some very early illuminated examples. A large grouping of history texts for both eastern and western countries including some sets. There was several scientific works mostly natural history and geology but also a couple on physics and light. As he delved a little deeper he found a book on Russian mythology surrounding demons as well as three works that formed a set on witchcraft in Russia.
There were several works on monastic life in Russia including an odd signed manuscript that looked to have been the work of Rasputin. The Duchess Brother in law had been one of the killers of the mad monk so this may be authentic; it needed a lot more research. Other than that the rest were not out of the ordinary but would sell with ease. He may even give some of the religious texts some shelf time something he usually did not do. He also had several collectors in mind that would pay a premium for some of the works. The book plates had been expertly removed but the tell-tale signs were there for the educated. Some of the works had been commission by the imperial family so they existed in this form nowhere else. The occult books would enter his personal library and he was sure Sarah Evens would be excited at some of the religious works.
As he finished his notes he was standing in front of a side table with four canteens of cutlery, one in a free-standing case and two others in smaller boxes. The fourth was just an assortment of utensils. It was only once he examined them closer the Count realised they were just examples of a much larger set. According to the list next to them it was a setting for one hundred. He picked up a fork, it handle was made of rock crystal and the silver was gilt which gave it the appearance of gold. As he twisted it in his hand he was trying to work out the price he would offer. He based it all on the spot price of the silver content nothing more and even using this system it would be over one thousand pounds. The other three sets were for twenty and two for twelve and had two crests he did not know so he took a rubbing with his note book and pencil.
The last side table before he started on the main dining table was covered with various card, cigarette and compact cases. There were several snuff boxes and other small boxes. Each was incredibly well made most were from the most famous Moscow and Saint Petersburg makers. Covered in various enamels, carved gold and silver and set with various precious gem stones. He knew a couple would make it into his personal collection the others would sell in a heartbeat. He also saw a selection of smaller porcelain and precious metal Easter eggs these were the more common examples of their larger and more famous cousins, still very much sort after by the expatriate community. Finally there were several expertly carved animals in various semi-precious stones, another trinket gift the imperial family gave each other and several personal seals made out of various precious metals and stones. He made a note to ask if the items on this table came with their original boxes.
As he looked over the large dining table he could pick out how it was laid out. There were several groups of porcelain tableware and serving items according to their lists they were a desert service for twelve, a dinner service for twenty and another dinner service for one hundred. These were all from the Imperial porcelain factory and as they did not produced for anyone else they could only come from one family. There were also a couple of figurines from the same factory mostly of the peasant scenes the Russians liked.
The silver was arranged at the end of the table, it consisted of several sets of candle sticks and candelabra, two complete sets of serving tureens and covers, two coffee sets and a tea set, several trays of various sizes. At the very end of the table were five bronze sculptures of various sizes all were of military scenes or soldiers.
Lastly there were several paintings hanging on the walls and a small group leaning against the chair his hat was on. Once he got closer he could see two of the paintings on the wall where Rembrandt's, the rest were of a lesser but still high quality, Dutch and French but he would have to check.
He took a seat next to the door and went over his notes. It was over an hour since he started and close to two when he finally had a figure he could give the Duchess or most likely her Lady in waiting. It was much higher than he had anticipated but still slightly lower than the lines of credit he had secured. The items were of a higher quality than he had expected and several were the personal items of several imperial family members. He would expect to make close to an eight hundred present profit on the figure he was going to give them. Property higher if he found the right buyer in the current market.
This was the purchase of his career and would secure his future even enabling him to reclaim what was lost not in his old homeland but in his new one. He knocked on the door and Margrete opened it instantly, he pasted over the envelope with his offer and followed her to his audience with the Grand Duchess.
He followed her up the stairs of the small cottage to a large parlor. Margrete made the introductions and the Count gave a formal bow as he clicked his heels. The Duchess did not rise but offered her hand and motioned for the Count to sit on a sofa across from her. He sat down he saw a series a silver framed photographs on a side table of what he assumed were the Tsar and his family.
The Duchess was impeccably dressed in formal court attire and had her hair up. He would have certainly been under dressed had he not dusted off his uniform. She was wearing a small amount of jewellery but nowhere near what she would have been wearing had this been in her homeland. It was only once he was seated that he noticed a young woman sitting next to the Duchess she did not look up as the Count looked at her. She was reading a large volume and was dressed a simple blue silk dress she seemed not to notice him.
”Count Bathony so good of you to visit us, it is not often we have visitors from the East. This is my niece Countess Alegra Dunneesston.”
The Countess did not acknowledge her Aunt so the Count continued after a somewhat uncomfortable pause.
”Thank you Duchess you have a wonderful home and such spectacular grounds. I always enjoy my time in Windsor such a lovely town. Have you resided here long?”
”No not long my cousin the king has kindly offered the house for our use while we are resident here. We hope it should not be too long, but this is a pleasant place to rest after the turmoil of the past years.”
”The Duke of Kent has been so kind and has said our stories are not so dissimilar from each other. I am sure you have heard the awful stories that have filtered out of our beloved Russia. Such a tragedy to befall our house I don’t think we can recover.”
”As I am sure you know my own story has a more complete finality as I am the last of our house and line. I have always taken comfit in the fact that I survived so even though the location has changed the history and memory will go on. It does not need to end here just to begin anew.”
The Duchess gave him a look of understanding as she was going to speak again her niece spoke:
”It could begin again if the vultures did not circle picking off the carcase of our house.”
She fixed a steely gaze on the Count before he could reply the Duchess who was flustered admonished her;
”Inka not in front of our guest.”
”I am sorry Count; AIegra is upset at losing her library and feels there are other avenues we could have gone down.”
”I understand I wondered if there had been a passionate hand in the collection and care of the books. It is my area of interest and I can see how it would bite to loose such things. But they are only things; my father’s library had been amassed over six hundred years by eight generations of my family and was burnt to the ground in an hour. Those volumes will never be recovered at least in the future you could search out your old friends.”
The Count could feel her eyes still on him as he went on.
”As you know I have a small book shop specializing in the more obscure pieces and works of art. It fills in my day and enables me to keep in contact with the Eastern community in England.”
”Do you hear from home often ?”
”No the lowering of my family was complete none of the close family survived and the rest were too busy insulating their own positions to offer assistance at the time. There are two retainers who are still resident in the area but the game is over for us.”
”I think your own story is somewhat more open with close family spread over a wide area. It must be a comfort to know there are others who managed to escape.”
The Countess slammed the book shut and placed it on the table before lifting her skirt so she could leave slightly faster. As the door closed the Duchess who looked visibly saddened added;
”I am sorry Count as you can see this is not an easy chapter of our history it has brought back memories for Alegra of what she has lost. Her entire family was also killed in the revolution in a vile unholy manner.”
She looked as if she was composing herself, before saying;
”But to other things would you like coffee.”
She rung a small silver bell and her lady in waiting appeared with a large tray of sandwiches and cakes as well as a steaming silver urn of coffee she removed the third cup when she left. The Count could see the book Algeria was reading it was a copy of the Praestigiis Daemonum especially unlikely reading for a noble woman of Imperial Russia, the Counts interest was piped.
The Count spent the next hour conversing with the Duchess on happier topics. Again it mostly revolved around the social scene but with a Russian and Eastern slant. He also noted several names he had not heard were in London. The Count invited her and the Countess to attended church an offer that had been made before. Apparently the Duchess was also great friends with Baroness Rothschild and her children and had heard great things about the Count. When it was time for him to leave the Duchess asked for the Count to visit again soon and thanked him for coming all this way from London. He bowled again before he left and followed the lady in waiting down the stairs.
He expected to leave immediately but once downstairs again Margrete asked the count to follow her and entered another room that he assumed was the library. He quickly scanned the shelves nothing out of the ordinary but still slightly better than most.
Margrete turned and said:
”The Duchess would like you to look at another piece she has not made up her mind if she will sell but would ask you to make an offer by way of return post.”
She then turned and with a small gold key opened a large black traveling case. As she turned around the Count could see it was one of the famous Imperial Easter eggs. The Alexander III Commemorative Egg from Easter 1909. The Count opened the egg to see the surprise and made a quick inventory, it was complete. This was an incredible opportunity nearly every noble house in Europe would bid on this item. It would also be the first to come to market. The Count wore a face of impassive disinterest.
”Very well you shall have an answer by Wednesday next week at the latest.”
”This is the items information and I have also been instructed to give you this please do not open it until you are on your return journey. ”
The lady in waiting looked visible irked at the second request. The Count thanked Margarete and handed her two of his business cards.
He barely remembered the trip back to the castle gates and once he located Perkins they sequestered themselves in an upstairs booth at the pub he had spent the afternoon in. He first gave Perkins the lists and his notes and after studying them for half an hour he looked at the Count with a smile.
”Well you were right and it all seems to be moveable in a short space of time ?”
”The decorative arts, silver, porcelain and art… yes. Some of the books are niche but we have the collectors already. There was one other thing;”
He passed the Easter eggs description to Perkins. He let out a low whistle.
”It’s really up for sale ? ”
”It would seem so she wants and offer then we will go from there.”
”Everyone will want this, no open auction, private bid or closed tender I think will be best.”
The Count thought for a minute as Perkins scanned the lists again.
”If we purchase it I think private bid no institutions. There are several families here and in America, let us see if she will let it go first.”
”So what do you think of the offer on the current crop ?”
”Very close to the mark maybe a little under I see what you mean on the books I am sure Mrs Evans will take the lion’s share of what does not sell.”
Perkins father and grandfather were antique dealers and their Manchester and Birmingham showrooms were renowned. It was the post war depression that had finally closed their doors and Perkins was unable to restart the business when he returned. The Count trusted his advice completely and his intuition had enabled their business to prosper.
As they boarded the return train The Count remembered the envelope the lady in waiting had given him. He opened it as they sat in their private booth; the seal had an impressed of a bear holding a coat of arms.
The note was short and to the point
I wish to see your shop, reply with a convenient time.
Countess Alegra Dunneesston
The Count did not show the note to Perkins who had begun to make a list of potential collectors who would be contacted. It looks as though he had started with the books.
Once they were back at the shop the Count undressed upstairs he did not return the items to the trunk instead arranging them in his room and hanging his uniform in the closet. As he descended to the shop floor he saw Perkins had begun the paperwork they had been putting off. The quarterly copy of their catalogue was ready to be printed and mailed and Perkins was working on the final touches.
The Count was answering his private and business mail a task that took them into the evening. They finished the evening shelving and pricing the new stock that had come in during the previous weeks and the Count sent a couple of letters to potential interested parties. He then telephoned Mrs Sarah Evens and gave her a detailed account of the meeting. She said she would over for an early breakfast and to see the lists in the morning.
They shared dinner on the terrace and Perkins decided to stay the night in one of the spare rooms, not looking forward to the journey south of the river. They were rather late getting to bed after sharing a bottle of bandy and several cigars.
This message was last edited by the player at 01:52, Sat 24 Jan 2015.