The butler sighed and nodded with his chin in the direction of the carriage.
“It appears His Lordship has returned now. However, I am certain he is very busy, so if you could–”
The carriage door was opened, and an older man stepped out. Dressed in a cream-colored pair of pantaloons and a dark-green tailcoat with a matching waist coat underneath, the man looked every bit a lord of the ton. He stopped to pull his waistcoat straight and then fixed his eyes on Christopher and Henry.
“What is this then, Mister Foxworth? Morning callers so early in the day?”
He approached them and stopped before them, with Christopher reaching for another calling card which he handed to the man who had to be Lord Hazelshire. The older man held the card out in front of him and squinted, then pulling his looking glass in front of one eye.
“The Duke of Westmond? I knew your Father. Quite a fellow. Ever so sorry to hear about his passing.” He reached out his hand which Christopher shook. “James Burton, Earl of Hazelshire.”
The Earl of Hazelshire? I cannot believe it! He is one of the richest Earls in the entire House of Lords. One of the richest men in the entire country. What a stroke of luck!
Beside them, the butler stepped from one foot onto the other. Christopher knew the man had to be highly upset by this irregular display. Under normal circumstances it would be he, the butler, who would be introducing Christopher. However, this was not a usual afternoon.
The Earl and Christopher shook hands. “Thank you, Lord Hazelshire. It was a tragedy to be sure.”
The Earl squinted and looked at Henry who stood and waited for his introduction.
“My brother, Lord Hazelshire,” Christopher pointed at the younger man. “Lord Henry.” Henry nodded at the Earl.
“It is good to meet you both. Shall we?” He motioned toward the house. The butler’s eyes darted from one to the other. “Foxworth, have some tea sent up to my study, and perhaps some candied fruit, if there is any.”
The three men made their way into the house and through the modern parlor toward the back of the house, where the Earl’s study was located. Christopher was struck at once by how much the interior of the study differed from the rest of the house.
From the furniture to the tapestry that lined the high walls, everything appeared to be from a much earlier time, Jacobean perhaps. In fact, it reminded him of his father’s study at their country home. The only home they had left.
He glanced at Henry who appeared to be thinking the same.
The Earl stepped behind a large oak desk and motioned for them to sit on the heavy, red velvet chairs before the desk. Once seated, Christopher fished for the necklace in his pocket and held it in his hand, waiting for the opportunity to present it. Before he could, Lord Hazelshire spoke.
“I apologize for not making your acquaintance earlier. I’ve been exceptionally busy. I acquired a vineyard in Shropshire which turned out to be rather more time consuming than I had anticipated. In fact, I shall have to set off again tonight to return there.” The man shook his head, his wrinkles appeared to deepen. Then, suddenly, his eyes widened. “Westmond.” He pointed an index finger at Christopher as if something had just come to him. “Your Father owned a vineyard also, did he not? Summerwind Wine, that is yours?”
Christopher wetted his lips as he nodded. The vineyard was one of the few properties they had been able to hold on to. In fact, the vineyard was their main source of income these days.
“Indeed, it is. In fact, it is I who has been overseeing the vineyard and the winery there for the past few years.”
Lord Hazelshire nodded. “Yes, I imagine with your Father’s illness–”
“Before the illness, even,” Christopher interrupted, earning himself a sharp kick from his brother which reminded him of his manners. Since inheriting the title, he’d developed a bit of a habit of allowing the grand title to cloud his good manners.
He had to remind himself that just because he outranked these marquesses, earls, and viscounts didn’t mean he should disrespect them by interrupted them as they spoke. If nothing else, he needed them in his quest to rebuild his wealth.
Fortunately for him, Lord Hazelshire did not appear in the least perturbed by his poor manners, if he’d noticed at all.
“Christopher is quite the expert when it comes to wine production now, My Lord,” Henry said. Christopher smiled at his brother, grateful for his attempt at smoothing over his rudeness.
“Well, that is wonderful to know. As I said, I am having a rather unfortunate time with it. It appeared a worthwhile investment and my son is keen to take over the operation. However, it has been troublesome…” he shrugged. “Perhaps when my son and I return from Shropshire we can take dinner together, the four of us and talk about the business. Perhaps at White’s?”
This is going better than I had expected, and I have yet to return the necklace to him.
“Indeed, I would love to.”
“Well, that is settled then. Of course, I assume this was not the nature of your visit. What was it you were coming to call on us for?”
The brothers exchange a glance.
“Well, it is an unusual matter but, as it were, a couple of nights ago as I was returning from Parliament, I witnessed a robbery in progress, just a few streets from here, on Half Moon.”
