“I gather there was quite a row in the Benton house when Sterling learned the details of the trust. From the tenor of the argument, it seemed evident that he thoughthis wifewas the one inheriting the money.”
Nathaniel stared at his steward, incredulous. “How on earth did you learn the details of an argument between man and wife in their own home?”
“My dear Nathaniel”—Hudson gave him a tolerant smile, reverting to Christian names as they had used in Barbados—“if one wishes to learn what really goes on in a house, one need only sweet-talk the right housemaid.”
Sweet-talk the right housemaid... Nathaniel mused. He wondered if he ought to give it a try. And he had just the right housemaid in mind.
Despite his intentions, Nathaniel didn’t manage to see Margaret all day.
That evening, he and Helen had just sat down to dinner when the second footman opened the dining room door and announced their brother. Lewis strode unceremoniously past the young man, and flopped into a chair.
“Lewis,” Nathaniel said. “We did not expect you back so soon.”
“Not that we aren’t glad to see you,” Helen added quickly.
“Hello, old girl. You are looking well, I must say.”
Helen self-consciously touched her curled and styled hair. “Thank you.”
Nathaniel gestured to the under butler. “Another place setting, Arnold.”
“Right away, sir.” Arnold signaled to the first footman, who languidly turned to do his bidding. Arnold, meanwhile, set several glasses before Lewis and poured wine.
Lewis took a long drink, then said, “I had to come and tell you the news.”
“Oh?”
“I saw Sterling Benton in town. You remember him—married the Macy widow?”
Nathaniel felt Helen’s quick look but kept his focus on Lewis. “Yes, what of him?”
“I spent a most diverting evening at White’s, I can tell you. I won several guineas off an obliging solicitor-friend of mine. Well, notfriendexactly, but a useful acquaintance.”
Nathaniel frowned at the thought of Lewis gambling away family money—money needed for the estate, but he bit back a reprimand. “I thought you were going to tell us something about Benton?”
“I’m getting to that. Be patient.” Lewis took another drink and gestured for a refill. “I was in a generous mood, having won for once, so I bought this solicitor-friend several rounds. Don’t scold—a wise investment, as it turns out.”
Nathaniel felt his jaw tighten. “How is that?”
“Well, he was well in his cups when Sterling Benton comes in, puffed up and slicked down as usual, that pup of a nephew at his heels.”
Lewis took a long swallow of burgundy. “My friend takes one look at the haughty pair of them, then leans near and tells me he has a few ideas about why the Macy girl went missing.”
Lewis had Nathaniel’s full attention at last.
His brother’s eyes glinted. “He hinted that Miss Macy has quite a tidy fortune coming to her on her next birthday. She’s to be quite the little heiress.”
Helen’s eyebrows rose. “Really? I had no idea.”
“Nor I,” Lewis said, turning to him. “Did you know?”
Nathaniel hedged, “She never said a word to me.”
So,Nathaniel thought, the once-secret inheritance is becoming generally known.He supposed Margaret’s disappearance had loosened the tongues of the few who knew about it, whoever they were.
Lewis returned to his tale. “At all events, I called Sterling Benton over, ignoring the sharp kicks my companion delivered under the table, and asked after Miss Macy. Benton feigned such fatherly concern, but I could tell it was balderdash. So I told him he need not worry about her.”
Helen’s brow furrowed. “What? But how... ?”
