“Of course, my Lady.” He whisked the last dishes and the maids from the room, closing the door behind him.
“And now, Holly, Mr Hawkesbury, I think the time has come to talk of what’s happening and why.”
Holly’s gulp was audible as she turned to Richard. “You must forgive me, sir. I’ve gone back on my word to you.” She took a breath. “I had to tell my mother everything.”
A faint smile crossed his lips as he shot a quick glance at Lady Hazel. “You didn’t believe any of the first story, did you?”
“Not a word of it.”
Holly glared at him. “If you say I told you so, I swear I will…I will…” She glanced at the table as Richard quickly moved the heavy crystal water pitcher out of her reach.
“Not the glassware, darling,” said Lady Hazel, clearly amused. “Try for some of the silver. It’s sharper and leaves more of an impression.”
Richard burst out laughing, a rich and cheerful sound that echoed around the room. Then he apologised. “I am sorry, that was wrong of me, but…” he laughed again. “You, my Lady, this…” he waved his hand in the air, “everything is so unlike anything I could have imagined.”
Lady Hazel looked pleased. “We pride ourselves on our unique originality, Mr Hawkesbury. Which reminds me. I believe it’s time we forgo the formalities. I shall now call you Richard, with your permission?”
“I would be honoured.”
And that was the truth. He couldn’t remember a more delightful lunch or a more entertaining pair of ladies. But inside he knew that it was all a precursor to the much more serious matter at hand.
And so, apparently, did his hostess.
“Very well, then, Richard. Now, tell me straightly if you please. Who the devil wants to kill you, and why?”
*~~*~~*
Relating the story of his downfall to Lady Hazel Trease was actually a lot simpler and easier than Richard would ever have expected. She grasped the underlying issues immediately, didn’t turn pale or clutch her bosom once, and even mumbled a few unladylike curses under her breath as he told of his attack.
“As I said before, I believe they left him to die, Mama, I really do.” Holly’s voice was firm.
“I agree. If the blows weren’t enough to bring on a fatal outcome, the weather certainly should have.” Lady Hazel nodded. “And so we arrive at the one enormous question that hangs over the entire incident…”
“The why?” said Holly.
“No, we know the why. It’s the why are the documents in your bag worthkilling youfor, Richard?”
He took a breath. “I truly wish I knew, my Lady. And I find myself in the devil of a predicament, because I am sworn to keep all such matters confidential.” He frowned, more at himself than anyone else at the table.
Holly watched his face, somewhat surprised that he could remain so firm in his commitment, even after the events of the last day or so, which included a violent personal attack.
“Perhaps we can work around your principles,” Lady Hazel mused, her eyes half-shut.
Holly knew that look. Her mother was plotting something.
Richard raised an eyebrow. “I’m not sure I understand, Ma’am.”
“Well, if, for example, you were asked a question that didn’t compromise your vow of silence, you would be able to answer, yes?”
“Of course,” he nodded.
“So I might ask something like…let me see…” She paused again, her gaze narrowing absently on the water pitcher in front of her. “Suppose…suppose I asked if you were familiar with Sir Duncan Aylmer’s business affairs. On a general level, of course.”
Richard thought about that. “I would, I believe, be able to answer in the positive. Yes, I have some—albeit limited—familiarity with the Rosewood Park estate business. It seemed sensible to acquaint myself with the fundamentals prior to my visit.”
“And yet you’ve not met Sir Duncan in person?”
He shook his head. “No, as I said, I have not yet had that honour.”
