“He is now quite wealthy, make no mistake about that. His fortune is secure, and he uses it to build even more wealth.”
“So why is he visiting Sir Duncan?” asked Lady Hazel. “What can he want from him?”
“I wish I could answer that, my Lady,” said Richard, his face concerned. “It worries me a lot.”
“Has Papa not said anything about it,” asked Holly. “Does he know why Sir Duncan is apparently doing business with this man?”
“If he does, he hasn’t said anything to me yet,” she replied cautiously. “But I know your father well enough to tell he’s not impressed by Blackstone.”
“Hmm.” Holly sighed. “Richard…” she turned to him and laid a hand on his arm. “Can you not tell us now, now that all this is happening, what was in your bag? What were the documents you carried that nearly got you killed?”
He looked at her and absently covered her hand with his. “I am beginning to think I have no other choice,” he said, his voice low. “Even though it goes against everything I hold dear. My honour cannot be bought, and my word has—until now—meant something, something very important.” He looked up at Lady Hazel. “If I break my word, my professional vow to keep this matter confidential…”
Thus addressed, the lady sighed. “I cannot advise you, Richard. I wish I could. But as you say, this is something that only you can decide. I would suggest that perhaps you take a stroll around the house; Holly can guide you, and while you walk, examine what you know, and see if it applies to anything here, especially Blackstone. If so, then that might help you make your decision. A period of quiet reflection can often resolve important matters.”
“That is an excellent notion, Mama,” replied Holly, turning to Richard. “If it were any other time of year, I’d take you outside for a walk through the woods, but given the weather, the best I can do is offer a stroll through our small portrait gallery…”
“I will be more than happy to stretch my legs,” replied Richard. “And yes, walking is good for sorting out one’s mind.”
“I will see you both at dinner,” Lady Hazel nodded. “Think clearly, Richard. And we shall abide by your decision.”
Holly led him from the room and then gently tucked her arm through his. “Ready?”
“Indeed, yes,” he answered quietly. “This entire afternoon has given me much to consider.”
“Me too,” she agreed, as they made their way across the hall and into one of the many corridors leading to the rest of the house. “I am amazed that I am now plunged into a dangerous mystery, complete with and unscrupulous villain and his unsuspecting victim.”
“Sir Duncan?”
“Who else? You are certainly not unsuspecting, although you were a victim as well, I suppose.”
“Hmm. My head would agree with you.”
“Are you still in pain?” She tugged him to a standstill.
“No, no,” he reassured her. “Thanks to your Mrs Trenchard, I have almost forgotten my injuries.”
“Good,” Holly resumed their walk, thinking for a moment or two. “So you’re worried that Sir Duncan is a target of Blackstone’s schemes, whatever they are?”
Richard was silent for a moment or two. “It is very much looking that way.”
Holly slowed her steps and turned them to the right, then pushed open a large door and led him into what was obviously the gallery.
“There are twenty-three portraits here, none of which are of particular interest to anyone other than family. So we can stroll without paying attention to them, and you can tell Mama how much you enjoyed viewing them.”
Richard chuckled. “Surely there are one or two who are noteworthy? Is the current generation represented?”
“Not yet,” she paused next to what was obviously the image of a gentleman who had lived many generations ago. “This is the fellow who started it all. Hopper Trease.” She tilted her head asshe looked at the painting. “As you can tell, a robust gentleman, but actually one of my favourites.”
“He looks like a most cheerful fellow.”
“I like to think he was,” she agreed. “After all, he was elevated from the humble position of farm hand to the aristocracy and given this estate. You might call him our founding father.”
“He certainly started a line of descendants who have cherished the land and cared for it as it deserves.”
“What a lovely thing to say.” Holly blinked at him. “I must remember to tell Mama you said that.”
“Um…” Richard looked somewhat self-conscious.
