Richard had assumed that once the villain had been unmasked and sent off with his tail between his legs, metaphorically speaking, there would be no need for him to remain at Forest Grange. After all, he was only there in his capacity as a solicitor, bearing important evidence in relation to a potential fraud.
Now that Blackstone had been escorted out of the house and sent on his way, Richard accepted that it would be time for him to leave.
So he was more than a little surprised when Lord Hawthorn poured him a brandy and bid him take a seat by the fire. Blinking, he did so, and was even more surprised when his Lordship engaged him in a rousing conversation about some of the work that was finding its way into legal offices these days, with especial reference to the matter of canals.
More than half an hour passed, and for Richard, it was an extremely unusual experience. He was called upon for his opinion by two titled members of the aristocracy, found himself in the middle of an argument about the rights of various kinds of tenants, offered his opinion on historically ancient holdings and the future of same, and ended up laughing at a surprisingly amusing (if a little off-colour) jest that Sir Duncan had picked up in his stable the week before.
When the door opened to admit two tall young men, he felt that might be his signal to depart. Putting his empty brandy glass on the table, he quietly moved to one side, ready to slip away as soon as possible.
But the Viscount would have none of it, grabbing his shoulder and promptly introducing him to Ashe Trease, the future Viscount, and Garrett DeVarne, whose other title was the Duke of Belcaster.
He didn’t even have chance to be overwhelmed, since the tale of their adventure with Blackstone was out before he could catch his breath, and suddenly he was being congratulated, asked if he was recovered, and offered a handy pair of fists if he should ever encounter Blackstone again.
And that was from theDuke.
To his surprise, he discovered that he was enjoying himself enormously, and experiencing none of the uncomfortable feelings he had suffered through in prior experiences with the aristocracy. To these men, he was someone who was valuable, had taken an undeserved beating, and foiled a villain on behalf of both Sir Duncan and Lord Hawthorn.
He was, almost, one of the family, and when lunch was announced, he was shepherded into the dining room by Sir Duncan, who asked him if he liked partridge.
While trying to come up with a suitable answer, the ladies joined the party, and he was thus introduced again to Lady Florinda Trease (and the Trease heir or heiress lurking within her), and the Duchess of Belcaster, formerly Miss Cherry Trease.
A great honour indeed for a solicitor, and although he was aware of it, his gaze wandered rapidly to Holly, who stood, smiling, off to one side of the room. It took some effort, but she managed to casually work her way to his side without attracting too much attention.
“What happened, Richard? To Blackstone?” She grabbed his arm so tightly, he swore she’d leave marks.
“Hush, it is all settled. He didn’t admit to anything, of course—I don’t think anyone expected him to—but his plans wererevealed and completely destroyed by our evidence.” He couldn’t help a happy grin. “It completely fooled him, Holly. He accepted the document as genuine.”
Her fingers released their grip on him as she nodded. “Itoldyou it was an amazing job, Richard. You should have believed me.”
“I should have, indeed. You were right. And it was wonderful to see the shock on that villain’s face when Sir Duncan and your father dropped their polite façade, took aim, and let him have it. He really wasn’t expecting it, which made it all the sweeter.”
“He deservedmuchworse for what he had his thugs do to you,” she observed quietly, slipping her arm through his without a thought. “I only wish we could charge him with attempted murder.”
He grinned down at her, loving the anger on his behalf that he knew was simmering beneath the polite smile. “We did enough. He’s finished, and he knows it. Your father pretty much made it clear that he had until the new year to set his affairs in whatever kind of order he could. In January, Lord Hawthorn will return to London and reveal everything.”
“So Blackstone will be ruined, and we’re unlikely to ever have to deal with a canal on our borders?”
“I believe that’s the sum of things, yes.”
“Thank God,” said Holly, heaving a sigh of relief.
“Come along, everyone. Lunch.” Lady Hazel had to shout over the conversations, but the aroma of food emanating from the table drew the group like a magnet. The travellers had refreshed themselves, the air rapidly filled with the scents of a delicious winter meal, and everyone sat without ceremony.
Conversations ranged around the table, and once again Richard was surprised to find himself included, even argued with on one occasion, when the Duke insisted on one particularpoint of law, only to find himself outgunned when Richard quoted chapter and verse to prove him in error.
Laughter rang out again and again, the family talking loudly and over each other, unlike any group he’d ever experienced. But it was wonderful in its way, and made him realise how much he’d missed by devoting the last dozen years or so to his career, rather than his papa, who now lived in Wales with Richard’s aunt. Family, he thought. This is what family means. Or should.
“You’re very quiet,” said Holly, sighing as she pushed away her plate. “I can’t eat another morsel.”
“It was all wonderful,” he replied. “But I can’t help thinking I should be on my way soon.”
She blinked. “No. You can’t go anywhere. It’s Christmas, Richard. What are you thinking?”
“I…” he began.
“You’re practicallyfamily, for God’s sake. You saved our estate and foiled a plot that would have caused more trouble than I can imagine. You are not going anywhere until after Christmas, and that’s all there is to it.” She nodded emphatically.
“But…” he took a breath.
