Page 96 of His Wicked Charm

“A disagreement? About what?” Con asked. He felt as disappointed as Lilah looked. Why would Sir Virgil have burned that notebook? What had been in it?

“I really couldn’t say, sir. But Mr. Dearborn looked like thunder when he left, and after that he never came to Barrow House.” Roberts added, “Please don’t fret about the notebook, Miss Lilah. I don’t think there was much in it that he hadn’t already put down in his letter to you.”

“His letter? What letter?” Lilah stared.

Roberts frowned. “Why, the one he left for you with Mr. Cunningham.”

“His attorney? He left a letter to me with his attorney?”

“Yes, miss.”

“Are you certain that he gave this letter to Mr. Cunningham?” Con asked. This thing was becoming more of a tangle with everything they discovered, it seemed.

“Yes, of course, sir. I was there when Mr. Cunningham came to the house with the will for him to sign. I brought their tea. Sir Virgil gave him the letter then, and Mr. Cunningham put it in his portfolio.”

“But...I didn’t receive any letter from Mr. Cunningham,” Lilah protested. “Only the will.”

“It wouldn’t have been at the time of his death, miss. I’m rather sure he told Mr. Cunningham the letter should go to you on your twenty-first birthday.”

“That was last year.”

“I’m sorry, miss,” he said helplessly.

“It’s not your fault,” Lilah reassured him. “I just—” She turned to Con. “I don’t know what happened. Mr. Cunningham never sent me a letter on my birthday or any other time.”

“We’ll have to have a visit with Mr. Cunningham,” Con said grimly.

“Oh. Sir. Miss.” Roberts looked apologetic. “Mr. Cunningham’s no longer here. He retired last year to Bath.”

“Of course he did.” Con went on, “Do you know what was in the letter?”

The old man shook his head. “No. I think it must have been a very private matter. He told me nothing about it. Perhaps he had the feeling that he was going to die soon. Sir Virgil was always sensitive that way.”

“Yes. Of course.” Lilah forced a smile.

They stayed a few minutes longer, chatting with the man about more pleasant memories. But as soon as they were outside again, Lilah turned to Con. “Father did leave me a letter about the Sanctuary.” Despite the disappointment, there was a note of satisfaction in her voice.

“It might have been a personal message of farewell, but my guess is he was worried about the Sanctuary,” Con said. “He and Dearborn had an argument over something. After that he was distressed. Then he wrote you a letter to give to you on your twenty-first birthday. Which would have given you ample time before this pact with the Sanctuary would have needed renewal.”

“But why didn’t Mr. Cunningham give it to me?”

“I don’t know. But we’ll find out. His records must still be around somewhere. Maybe he had a partner who continued the business.”

“I think his son was with him.”

“Very well. As soon as we get home, we’ll go to the village and find him. Maybe he was just careless and forgot to do it in the bustle of his retiring, as Roberts said. It could still be sitting there in his files.”

However, their plans were interrupted when they rode into the courtyard at Barrow House and saw an unfamiliar carriage. “Good Lord, another visitor?” Con said in disgust. “Who now?”

His question was answered when they entered the house and heard voices coming from down the hall—including one very familiar man’s tone. “Alex!”

Con strode down the hallway, Lilah hurrying after him. They found Alex and Sabrina sitting in the drawing room, having tea with Aunt Vesta. Alex was already on his feet and crossing the room when Con stepped through the doorway.

“Con!” Alex laughed. “What the devil have you gotten into now?”

The two men laughed, clasping hands and clapping each other on the arm in masculine greeting, before abandoning dignity and hugging each other.

“Sabrina! Alex!” Lilah swept into the room after Con, holding out her arms to embrace her friend.