*~~*~~*
It took her a few minutes to recover from the shock of actually seeing the entrance to a hidden passage right in her mother’s study, but a chuckle from her father distracted her and she rounded on him.
“Youknew?”
“Of course.”
“All the times we tried to find them?”
“Yes.” His lips twitched. “And may I say it was quite distracting to have you and your sister incessantly tapping on walls.” He glanced at Richard. “Like living in a house full of woodpeckers.”
Richard managed not to burst out laughing, but Holly could see his lips twitch as he struggled to contain his amusement.
She sighed. “Oh well, never mind. I suppose it’s a good thing there are still some surprises left here at Forest Grange.” She shrugged, then looked at her father again. “Does Ashe know about them? Or Cherry?”
“You’d have to ask your mother, dear.”
“Hmph.”
Her attention was distracted as the door re-opened to admit Lady Trease once more, but this time followed by Sir Duncan Aylmer.
“Well, this is quite intriguing,” he said as he stepped into the room. “I don’t think I’ve ever been shown a secret passage before.”
“Me neither,” muttered Holly under her breath.
“Sir Duncan,” said Lord Hawthorn. “Forgive the rather unusual situation…but I know you’ll understand our need for absolute privacy.”
The older man eased himself into a comfortable chair at Lady Hazel’s gentle insistence. He sighed. “Blackstone, of course.”
Holly blinked. “Goodness. He is really disliked, isn’t he?”
Sir Duncan smiled at her. “That he is, child. That he is.” Then he looked at Richard. “And you, sir, must be Mr Hawkesbury, the solicitor that my old friend William Durnford sent?”
“I am, sir.” Richard bowed low. “And I’m sorry that our meeting did not go as planned.”
“You are well, lad? I heard you were attacked?”
“I have recovered almost fully, Sir Duncan. Thank you for inquiring. The care I have received from Lord Trease and his family have set me to rights.”
“Nasty business, this,” he replied. “Well, we must get to it then.”
Disposing themselves around the room, Lord and Lady Trease sat on one side of Sir Duncan, and Holly and Richard took the other.
“Are you well enough to converse on this topic, my Lord? I understand your health is not what it should be…” Holly had to ask the question, a little puzzled by the colour in Sir Duncan’s cheeks.
She received a broad smile in return. “You’re a sweet girl, with a kind heart. And yes, I am quite well. Better, in fact, thanmany have been led to believe.” He glanced at Lord Hawthorn, received a brief nod, and then continued. “I have engaged in a mild pretence, my dear. Sometimes it is better to be perceived as weak and frail, than robust and in good health.”
Richard took a breath. “Blackstone, again.” The name dropped into silence.
Sir Duncan nodded. “As you say. Blackstone.” He turned toward Richard, his elbows resting on his knees. “The papers that were stolen from you. Do you recall the contents?”
“I do. But it has been difficult to know who to trust with that information, since I was sworn to secrecy until I reached you, sir.”
“We understand your dilemma and respect you for it, Richard,” offered Lady Hazel. “But now that we are together, it must be the right time for that information to be revealed.”
Richard looked at the old man. “With your approval, sir?”
“Go ahead, lad. I trust those in this room, without question.”
