“Very well.”
Holly could see the pulse throbbing at the base of Richard’s neck as he swallowed and leaned forward. He was tense, perhaps even a little nervous, but she knew he’d be relieved once the burden of his task was revealed. The weight of that knowledge was becoming unbearable.
“The papers I carried detailed the original borders of the properties in this area. Forest Grange, Rosewood Park, and Myrtle Manor. One in particular had been drawn over two hundred years ago; a certified copy of the original plot map.”
“But we know those borders,” sputtered Holly. “They’re on the map, and I’m sure Papa has copies?”
“Let the man speak, dear,” gently remonstrated her mother.
“Sorry.” She sighed.
“To clarify the situation,” Richard glanced at Holly, “the borders of these properties were formally settled a couple of hundred years ago, and are as shown on your beautiful map, Lord Trease. So I can understand your confusion, Holly.”
“Good, because it’s not getting any better,” she grumbled.
“What is important here is the river. And that is where our investigations into the land records entered the picture.”
Sir Duncan nodded. “I understand your confusion as well, Miss Holly, because I was rather confused myself when Blackstone arrived at my doorstep a few days ago.”
“If I may ask, sir, how does he enter the picture?” Richard posed the question with a blend of curiosity and respect for the elder gentleman.
“He arrived unannounced,” began Sir Duncan, “claiming to be an acquaintance of a good friend of mine in London. A man who happens to be quite involved in the financing of canals.”
“Ahh,” murmured Lord Hawthorn.
Sir Duncan grinned at him. “Yes. Now you are beginning to understand.”
“Wait a minute,” interrupted Lady Hazel. “You’d better make it clear for the rest of us who don’t?”
“Go ahead,” Sir Duncan waved his hand at Lord Trease. “I’m going to have a spot of that excellent brandy I see on the mantelpiece, if I might, while you explain, Hawthorn.”
Silently, Lady Hazel rose to take care of Sir Duncan’s request, and then they all settled down to listen to the rather complicated but compelling tale of greed and fraud.
Chapter Ten
In Which Secrets are Revealed which Confuse Everyone, and a Risky Plan is Hatched
Richard did his best to compose his thoughts, even though all the eyes in the room were on him.
It was unnerving, to say the least, but he had had more than a little experience in delivering various legal matters to clients, and knew he could do so with relative ease. So he treated this occasion in much the same fashion.
“As you all now know, Sir Duncan contacted our firm a few weeks ago, with a request that we investigate and confirm the legal status of the boundaries of three properties. They are Forest Grange,” he nodded at Lord Hawthorn, “Rosewood Park,” a glance at Sir Duncan, “and finally Myrtle Manor.”
He paused for a brief moment and took a breath. “We hired a surveyor and other legal assistance to review the documents we had obtained from the various records offices, and his report confirmed that the borders were still as established at the original time the land was settled.”
“So the oldest records are still accurate and legally in effect?” Sir Duncan’s gaze was fixed on Richard.
“That is the case, sir, yes. There have been no adjustments or changes to the original extent of any of the properties.”
“I knew it,” Sir Duncan clenched the fist that wasn’t holding the brandy snifter. “Deuced interloper.”
“You must mean Blackstone,” said Lady Hazel. “I doubt anyone else would fit that description.”
The old man nodded. “In the beginning, I had some correspondence from a couple of friends of mine in town on this matter. Then Blackstone’s name came up. He introducedhimself, detailed some of his business dealings with my friend—and yes, I did validate those facts—so I took him at his word. When he invited me to consider sharing an investment that was based in my own neck of the woods, so to speak, I found myself intrigued.” He glanced around. “Let’s be honest, everyone is interested in adding to the family coffers.”
“I can’t argue with that,” commented Lord Hawthorn.
“Anyway,” continued Sir Duncan, “his letters became more insistent, and he requested a meeting, letting me know that he had pertinent information about the river and its importance to the land around here. It had a bearing on his latest endeavour, and he offered to explain it all to me if I could come to town and meet with him.”
