Law Office of Parkerton, Hodgely, and Kane
London, England
April 1815
Lord Elias Raines,younger brother to the Duke of Almsbury and newest partner in the law office of Parkerton, Hodgely, and Kane, marked his place in the current year’s Hasterton records. He propped it open with a notebook, set it aside, then selected the previous year’s ledger and compared the two.
“Impossible,” he muttered, then flipped through a few more pages while shaking his head. “Impossibly brilliant,” he amended. In the span of twelve short months, the Duke of Hasterton had more than doubled his vast holdings—almost tripled them. “The man is an utter genius.”
No wonder Hasterton had always been a favorite client of Master Hodgely’s—God rest his mentor’s eccentric soul. Elias sorted through a few more documents from the prior years, then frowned. The duke’s signature differed on this contract. Dramatically so. The dowager duchess must have signed for her son, since he would have been within a few months of legal age at that time. Highly irregular for her to sign his name. She should have had His Grace sign in front of witnesses, then initialed it when they purchased that parcel of land.
Elias vaguely remembered Master Hodgely remarking on a few other peculiarities about the Hasterton files over the years—such as the regular transfer of assets from Hasterton accounts to those of an account under the name of Bening, the dowager duchess’s maiden name, that was overseen by a solicitor in Germany. His mentor had also mentioned that the fifth Duke of Hasterton had died before the current duke and his twin sister were born. Rather than return to London with her children, Duchess Thea had elected to remain at her family’s estate, Bening Manor, in Germany. However, by that time, she had no family left alive to assist her. Only servants. The dowager had even seen that the young duke received his education abroad.
Reportedly, the man had never set foot in London. He, like his mother, retained the office of Parkerton, Hodgely, and Kane to assist with most legalities and business dealings while retaining the German solicitor primarily for the Bening holdings. It was quite an odd situation, indeed. While Elias’s mentor had never expressed an issue about not meeting the current duke, Master Hodgely had bemoaned on more than one occasion how he truly wished he could once again see the duke’s lovely mother—a dear lady for which he had always held a great fondness. Of course, whenever Elias pressed the man for more details, Master Hodgely always changed the subject. Strange behavior, indeed. Now that Master Hodgely had passed and Elias had taken his place, this esteemed client was now his responsibility.
After assuming the new position at the firm, Elias had introduced himself to each of his new clients. All were of London’s most elite, and he felt it important to meet with them face to face and assure them that even though Master Hodgely no longer looked after them, they were still in quite capable hands. He had successfully met with everyone except for the Duke of Hasterton. That meeting had proven to be somewhat of a challenge, since His Grace never came to London. Of course, Elias could not merely show up at Bening Manor in Germany uninvited. To do so would be the height of rudeness. But as yet, every correspondence he had sent that gently and respectfully requested an introductory meeting had gone unanswered.
“Most frustrating,” Elias said as he leaned back in his leather chair. The sixth Duke of Hasterton was obviously ignoring him, and there was nothing he could do except wait. A light knock on his office door pulled him from his fuming. “Enter.”
“Messengers just left these, my lord.” Young Thomas, the office runner, strode in, deposited several missives into the basket on Elias’s desk, then left just as quickly after a respectful dip of his chin.
The letter on top bore an interesting wax seal with which Elias was quite familiar. Could it possibly be? He snatched it up, turned it to a proper angle, and smiled. Itwasthe Hasterton crest. But this letter hardly appeared worn enough to have traveled all the way from Germany.
He hurried to open it and devoured the brief note, hoping it held an invitation. It did. But he would not be going to Germany. He reread it, slower this time. The Dowager Duchess of Hasterton requested he call upon her at her London townhouse today. She would receive between the hours of three and six. If he was unable to comply with this request, a reply with a more agreeable appointment date and time would be most appreciated.
If he was unable to comply? Elias allowed himself an amused snort. He would clear his schedule immediately for a meeting with the dowager duchess. Perhaps the duke would also be in attendance. After all, if his mother had decided to partake in the London Season, surely the duke and his sister would as well. In fact, this Season might be the sister’s debut. What better reason to show up in London after all these years?
He checked his timepiece, then vainly assessed his attire. Dear old Mrs. Camp had dutifully brushed his coat and hat within an inch of their lives and had her son polish his boots. As she had presented his breakfast, she had also blessed him with her daily wish for a prosperous day. “Well done, Mrs. Camp,” he said under his breath. Perhaps the grandmotherly lady’s wish had resulted in the dowager’s note.
He refolded the paper and tucked it into the inside pocket of his jacket, then nervously brushed imagined lint and crumbs from his buff-colored pantaloons. “Remember who you are, Elias,” he quietly admonished himself as he placed a selection of the Hasterton files into the fine leather satchel his brother had presented him upon completion of his education. He donned his hat and gloves, took up the satchel, and headed out.
“I am meeting a client,” he informed one of the young men apprenticing in the office. “Please inform Parkerton and Kane I am unsure when I shall return.”
“Yes, my lord,” the young man said, his tone filled with envy.
Elias understood completely. He had once been in that lad’s position. He made a mental note to be more approachable and helpful, as Master Hodgely had been with him.
“Shall I get you a hackney, Lord Raines?” Thomas asked while holding the door.
“That would be most appreciated,” Elias said. The Hasterton townhouse was not within reasonable walking distance.
The helpful lad soon had a coach ready, and Elias embarked on the meeting he had sought for months. Or, at least, he hoped the duke would also be present, since he couldn’t in good conscience question the dowager about business details.
As the coach came to a stop in front of the residence, Elias checked his watch again. Perhaps he had been a bit overzealous, since it was not yet three. He stepped down from the coach and eyed the place as though about to descend upon Napoleon’s camp.
“Should I wait, sir?” the driver called down from his perch.
Elias had no idea and hated feeling as if he were some inexperienced lad. Good heavens, he was a respected solicitor, the son of a duke, and an esteemed member of theton—although as asecondson, the esteem he commanded was debatable. However, he never had a problem attracting the ladies, much to the consternation of their mothers. “Yes. Do wait, good sir,” he instructed the driver while adding enough to the fare to make it worth the man’s while.
The driver’s smile widened as he thumbed through the coinage in his palm. He doffed his hat. “Thank you much, sir. I shall wait here as long as you like.”
After a decisive nod, Elias strode up the steps and reached for the gleaming brass door knocker in the shape of a lion’s head with a ring in its mouth. He rapped three times for luck.
The door quickly swung open, revealing the stern countenance of a tall, older man still muscular enough to oust any unwanted visitor with an easy flick of his thick wrist. His scowling demeanor suggested he was quite the protective butler. “May I help you, sir?”
“Lord Elias Raines from Parkerton, Hodgely, and Kane. Her Grace is expecting me.”
“Welcome, my lord.” The butler stepped back and held the door open wide enough for Elias to pass, then quickly closed it. “Her Grace informed me you would arrive during receiving hours.”
