“LordBlackmar,Ifoundthese while I was cleaning.” The maid held two missives. “They had fallen behind the palm, but I do not know how.”
Victor glanced over to the small table beside the entry. Upon it was a silver tray where the post was placed whenever it arrived. The family had long since stopped having the servants deliver the post but would check for themselves each day. Beside the table was a palm that sat by the window for sun. Behind the palm was not a place that letters should fall.
He took the two missives from her and glanced down. One was from Charlotte, which he preferred to read when his brother was not standing next to him and turned his attention to the second. That was from a Mr. Ward, Solicitor. He quickly broke the seal and read.
“Mr. Thompson is dead,” he muttered.
“Your father-in-law?” Marcus questioned for clarification.
“Yes.” Victor looked at the post mark. This letter was received nearly a sennight ago. He then quickly opened Charlotte’s letter. She also wrote of her father’s death and that she was to return to Hartfield Hall. Her letter had been written three days later and sent five days ago, which meant that she had already arrived in Cheshire.
“Was there any other correspondence found behind the palm?” he asked.
“No.”
“Has other correspondence been received in these last few days.”
“Yes. Your mother and sister have each received something daily.”
“Yet these were not on the tray.”
“We have no explanation, Lord Blackmar,” the maid offered, almost in fear that she’d be sacked.
As they were for him, Victor suspected that they had been hidden, but he could not understand why. Maria may have been bitter enough to hide Charlotte’s letter, but not one from a solicitor, unless it was because she was simply angry with him.
Victor turned on his heel and marched into the parlor where his mother was reading. “You should know that Thompson has died and I must travel to Hartfield Hall,” he announced. “If I find that you have caused more damage to this estate, you will be removed.”
“You cannot do that.”
“Take it up with the courts for I have confidence in my argument.”
“Should I remain here or go with you?” Marcus asked.
Victor almost asked him to remain, but something deep within warned that Marcus should accompany him. Victor rarely had such overwhelming instincts, but when they did arrive, he did not ignore them. “Come with me.” Something was not right about this situation, within this house, and Thompson’s death, but he could not figure out what unsettled him.
After racing upstairs, Victor asked his valet to quickly pack his belongings and sent a footman to have the carriage readied.
When he returned downstairs, Marcus was already waiting, as was Kingsley.
“Are you going with us as well?” He really saw no need for his sister’s husband to accompany them.
“I am off to London.” The gentleman straightened. “I have had enough of your sister and will be petitioning the court for a divorce.”
Victor knew Kingsley wasn’t happy, nor could anyone be married to Maria, but divorce was nearly unheard of.
“I would return the dowry, but she managed to spend that as well, though I have yet to learn how she gained access to those funds.”
“It is not a concern,” Victor assured him.
“You should also know that she is the one who set fire to the stables and destroyed the dam. I do not know her reasons, nor do I care any longer. Her mother is taking the blame and only she knows why. The one matter that I am certain of however is that I can no longer be married to your sister.”
His mother had always protected Maria, but he would question them both about the damage once he returned, though it was likely her reasoning had no sense to it.
“I wish you luck Kingsley.” What else did you say to the gentleman? He should defend his sister, or seek out to ruin him, but Victor had no doubt that Maria had brought this turn of events on herself.
“You as well and be careful. Maria is far more dangerous than anyone realizes.”
Those ominous words sent a chill down his spine as Victor stepped into the carriage.
