“A thief-taker.” Tidemark scowled.
“Yes,” Cassie said.
“Which became fortuitous when we arrived and discovered the Gallaghers were stealing from the estate. They knew we would discover the theft. They had done nothing to hide their activities,” Lakehurst continued.
“Why should they when they knew you, Edmund,” Cassie said, “would not come here. Plus, you told them to fire the staff! There was no way for the castle and the estate to be maintained. You even had them close down one of the limestone quarries that was lucrative for the shade of stone it produced.”
“Graymore?” Mr. Stillworth clarified as he straightened in his chair, now attentively listening.
“Yes, Graymore,” Cassie said.
Mr. Stillworth turned to his uncle. “Why?” he asked. “Why close a profitable mine?”
Tidemark’s face had taken on a choleric hue. His lips worked back and forth. “Because I want to beggar the estate!” he decried. “I want to destroy Darkford!”
“Edmund!” Vanessa exclaimed.
He turned toward his wife, clutching her pudgy hand tightly in his. “Because Father looked down his aristocratic nose at you, my darling Vanessa, and disowned me when I married you,” he told her. Reaching out to tenderly stroke her hair. He turned back to look at Cassie and Lakehurst. “My brother George was no better, hateful, bitter, manipulative man.”
From across the room, Harrison Farrow snorted. “You’re a great noddy; that’s what you are. Of all the buffle-headed things to do, this takes the prize. Rupert won’t be happy to hear this,” he said, rising from his seat. He stuck his thumbs in his flowered waistcoat pockets as he sauntered toward them.
“Rupert and the Marquess had plans together, you know,” Harrison declared.
“What are you talking about?” Mr. Tidemark asked testily.
Harrison grinned. “If the Marquess could get his unentailed properties profitable, Rupert would buy from him what was profitable, and then the Marquess could use the funds to invest in other ventures.”
“Rupert Farrow ventures?” Ellinbourne asked sardonically.
Harrison shrugged slightly. “There was that aspect,” he agreed.
“That was a sweet arrangement for Farrow!” Lakehurst said. “He acquires a profitable property, then gets the money he spent back to use in investments.”
“Yes, but the Marquess did get a percentage of interest in the new venture investments,” Harrison defended. “And he did invest in other things with some of the money, like Baydon Imports with Mr. Stillworth.”
“It has been eighteen months since the Marquess died. Mr. Farrow is certain to know Mr. Tidemark is the executor of the estate. Why hasn’t he said anything to him?” Ellinbourne asked.
“Could one of Richard’s investments with Mr. Farrow be highly profitable?” Cassie asked. “If no one knew of the investment, Mr. Farrow could keep the all funds. Perhaps he does know of Edmund’s desire to destroy Darkford, and it is to his benefit to say nothing,” she suggested.
Harrison Farrow’s lips twisted as he scratched his head. “You could have the right of it and I could be the buffle-headed fellow. Rupert will not be happy with me showing his hand,” he said with what Lakehurst thought was a surprising grasp of understanding coming from the dandy.
Mr. Tidemark stood up. “I must return to London immediately.”
“But Edmund,” whined Vanessa. “We just got here. I can’t, I can’t get in that carriage again today.”
“I know, my darling. But we must. I must speak to Rupert as soon as possible! Certainly, you see that! If I have done something he does not like he can cut us off!”
“You may be able to go; however, your horses won’t be,” Lakehurst said. “I won’t allow them to be harnessed again today and we have no other horses available. You will have to wait until morning.”
“That sounds soon enough,” Vanessa offered, looking up at her husband pleadingly.
Mr. Tidemark’s mouth worked back and forth. “All right,” he said to her, gently. He looked back at Lakehurst and Cassie. “We would go to our rooms now and have a tray brought to us. My darling will need to rest as much as possible if we are to leave tomorrow.”
Mrs. Tidemark nodded, now smiling brightly up at her husband. He offered her his hand to help her to her feet. She lumbered up out of the nest of pillows Cassie had made for her.
Cassie and Lakehurst stood, and Cassie crossed the room to open the parlor door. “Mrs. Pritchet we’ll see to your comfort. She is quite good at ensuring guests are comfortable in their rooms,” she told them.
CHAPTERFIFTEEN
