“Yes, Marion? Is there a problem?” asked Lilli.
“Yes, milady. I mean I don’t know. That visitor you had several days ago has returned. What should I do with him?”
Oliver grinned. “A Mr. Northgate, perhaps, Marion?”
“Yes, Your Grace.”
“Excellent. Put him in her ladyship’s office and have a footman stay with him. I don’t trust the scoundrel. You may offer him refreshment of tea and cake. We shall be done here shortly.”
Marion looked to Lilli who nodded in agreement. “Yes, do as the duke bids.”
“Yes, milady.”
The meeting concluded soon after and when they were alone, Oliver gave Lilli a stern admonishment. “I am going to explain to Mr. Northgate, in due time, the error of his ways but if you are to be part of this meeting, then you will not interfere with my handling of it.”
“Oliver, I am perfectly capable of telling the man off.”
“Yes, but will you before you have heard what he has to say? I mean to allow not one shilling fall into his hands from this estate, nor do I intend that he feel he can take another woman’s money because he feeds on the vulnerabilities of her kindness. Can you allow me to take charge?”
“Yes, alright.”
“Good. Let us go and meet Mr. Northgate.”
“I must say that I had not noticed Mr. Northgate to stutter so much on our first meeting,” laughed Lilli. “Nor, stumble over his words.”
“Well, I daresay, it was a shock to deal with me instead of you. It was obvious he had no idea how to deal with a man who did not intend to entertain his ludicrous offer.”
“He was rather upset about that. His face turned so darkly red that I feared he would burst. He certainly tried to leave quickly when he discovered you had real information and he didn’t have any truthful answers just vagueness in response to your inquiries.”
“And yet you were ready to pay for the emptiness of his words.”
“Yes. I’m happy you stepped in and took charge. This one time.”
“Oh, my dear it will be a much more familiar event, I assure you. And it was certainly in Northgate’s best interest to leave quickly. It is another example of how you have taken your safety for granted. He had been following you for quite a while on your quest. If I hadn’t seen him myself while looking for you, I would never have known he was trailing you. I was rather proud of myself for not doing him a harm before he left for trying to extort money from my fiancée and trailing you was unacceptable. The unmitigated audacity of the man.”
“Once you exposed his following of me, it all fell apart quite handily. Yes, I agree that you showed great restraint, dear. Thank you.”
“Dear? I like that. Now, get ready so we may meet Mother for tea and discuss our nuptials. I was thinking Mother could dobreakfast at Weston Ridge and we marry in your small chapel. I will have to find us a vicar for neither of us employ one at present, but I believe we shall have to change that in the future. Yes, we shall have need of one for christenings and the like.”
Tea with Georgiana, as she instructed Lilli to call her, was a delight. Lilli was quite worried about her reception, but she needn’t have been. Amidst tea, in walked another gentleman that looked much like Oliver.
“Walter! Back from France just in time to see me leg-shackled,” said Oliver as he hugged him vigorously.
“Not to this creature, surely,” Walter said as he smiled and kissed Lilli’s hand before hugging his mother.
“Walter, this is my bride to be Lady Lilliana Griffin. Lilli, my younger brother, Andrew. He stays in France at our chateau.”
“Previously stayed. I think it is time for me to find a fair lady to put up with me as you and have. I fear it shall be hard to compete.” He kissed Lilli’s hand.
“Here, darling,” said Georgiana, “I shall have a heartier tea brought. Sit with me and let us know all your news.”
After a time of catching up, the men discussed how they could divide the work between London affairs, the family estate and Heatherfield.
“I see it as quite easy, brother,” said Andrew. “I long for civilization after being in the French countryside for several years. I will take over the London businesses and will meet with the solicitor on areas you need for the two estates. Does Lilliana have a solicitor?”
“No. The last one died several years ago and she hasn’t retained another. We will work on that. Once I settle on thevicar, we will go on to the work at hand. You can leave after the marriage, if you like. I was recently at Weston House while I was in London, so it should be easy to settle into.”
“Excellent. Now I need a bath and clean clothes. We shall speak again later. Shall I go to Heatherfield?”
