‘You did the right thing. I hope you will forgive me for not offering you refreshments. Grace, please ask the housekeeper to show Mr Williamson out.’
As if on cue, the housekeeper arrived, before Grace reached the servant’s bell.
‘Show my friend out and inform the stables to have the trap made ready. I have some business to attend to.’
‘You will inform me of the outcome?’ asked the banker as he prepared to leave.
Talek did not reply, his mind already elsewhere.
‘He will, Mr Williamson,’ Grace reassured him, ‘and thank you for informing us of your concern for the transaction.’ She escorted him to the door.
Talek’s clear, sombre voice halted them on the threshold. ‘Mr Williamson, ensure that no one is to withdraw any more money until you hear from me directly. I don’t care what tale Mr Ward spins. Not a farthing, do you hear? Not even if his life depended upon it.’
Grace showed Mr Williamson to the door and was about to return to the drawing room when Talek marched out.
‘Where are you going?’
‘To find Amelia. Perhaps she can shed some light on this.’
Grace hurried after him. ‘Talek, wait. We need to talk.’
‘Not now. I must sort this first. We can talk later.’ He addressed a passing servant. ‘Where is my sister?’
‘The library, sir.’
He nodded his thanks. As he headed for the library, he shouted again for his horse and trap to be prepared, immediately. The servant ran off, as Grace hurried after him.
* * *
Amelia looked up in surprise as they swept into the room.
‘Henry has made a large withdrawal from our bank account. Do you know what it is for?’
Amelia shook her head, confused. ‘Are you sure?’
Talek began to pace the room in agitation. He wanted to confront the man himself, but until his horse was ready, interrogating his sister was all he could do. Only Amelia knew nothing — or even wanted to accept it.
‘I refuse to believe that Henry would withdraw such a large amount, and I’m sure there would be a legitimate reason for doing so, if he had.’
‘Did you request it?’
‘Of course I did not.’
‘And as I didn’t, that means the major shareholders were unaware. Why would that be so if he was not up to something?’
Talek looked out of the window. The horse and trap had yet to appear. He turned impatiently and began to pace again.
‘So you knew nothing of his plans?’ he asked her.
‘No. I am sure Henry would have a good reason for doing such a thing.’ She looked to Grace. ‘He would never do anything wrong . . . would he?’
Talek heard the hesitation in her voice and glanced back at his sister.
‘He wouldn’t.’ Amelia attempted to touch his arm as he walked by her. ‘Talek, please calm yourself. We have known Henry for years. He is a good man.’
Talek looked less convinced, but he nodded. Whether it was to reassure his sister or himself, Grace could not tell.
‘I told Mr Williamson it was nothing I could not sort out.’ He stared hard at the floor as if he hoped to find the answer there. ‘Has he said anything at all? You were as thick as thieves before his accident.’
