A Debt From the Past Page 4

  He left immediately after lunch, and Beth gave him an hour to see if he returned. When there was no sign of him, she sought out the butler. ‘Where is he, Jenkins?’

  ‘Still out, Miss Langton.’

  ‘Splendid. Gather all the staff together – in the kitchen, I think – and we shall hold a council of war.’

  Jenkins nodded approval and then hurried away.

  ‘Act with caution, Beth.’ Helen voiced her fears, hoping to stop her impetuous friend from acting too hastily.

  Beth smiled wryly. ‘You know caution has never been one of my virtues. Now, let us devise a plan whereby his lordship is watched at all times.’

  Helen did not look convinced and fell silent again. This was what Beth liked about her: she never argued or tried to push forward her opinions.

  Beth marched into the vast kitchen to find the staff already assembled. ‘You are all aware of the situation?’

  They nodded, watching their mistress with anxious expressions.

  ‘I have visited the lawyer, and there is little we can do legally.’ She looked at each one of them with affection. ‘You have all served the Langton family for a long time.’

  ‘And we shall continue to do so,’ Mrs Howard, the cook, declared. ‘You are the mistress of this house, and I shall take my instructions only from you.’

  ‘That’s right.’ Jenkins joined in. ‘We could make life unpleasant for this man.’

  ‘I could make sure his water is always cold.’ The chambermaid giggled.

  There followed a long list of ways to annoy their unwelcome guest, and Beth held up her hand to stop them. As much as she would enjoy seeing him inconvenienced, she must not allow her loyal staff to get on the wrong side of his temper, for she was certain that he would not hesitate to exact punishment for the slightest misdemeanour. He appeared a most disagreeable person. ‘I am deeply touched by your loyalty, but I would not wish to see you dismissed. I believe there is a safer way to deal with him.’

  ‘You tell us what you want,’ the footman told her, ‘and we’ll do it, Miss Langton.’

  ‘We should start by making him feel welcome,’ she stated.

  There were mutterings of disapproval at this declaration.

  ‘Begging your pardon, Miss Langton,’ the housekeeper said, ‘but we are all worried that we might lose our positions now you are no longer in control of the estate. Might his lordship bring in his own retainers?’

  ‘No! I shall not allow any of you to be replaced, and I shall keep control of the everyday running of the household. I do not think he will thwart me in that.’ Her mouth set in a stubborn line. If he did, then the atmosphere in this peaceful home would become very stormy indeed. ‘However, I want you to be very careful that you treat him with all outward respect. Do not allow your dislike to show –’ she paused for effect – ‘too much.’

  The staff gave each other knowing looks.

  ‘My plan is to make him relax, make him feel his position is secure. In that way we can hope he will leave us alone and we shall be able to go along in our normal manner.’

  ‘Ah.’ Jenkins smiled in satisfaction. ‘I understand now what you’re saying. If he thinks he’s safe, he could drop his guard, and then we might be able to find out who he really is.’

  ‘Exactly! How very astute of you,’ she told her butler. ‘We do not know one thing about his character. Is he honest, dishonest?’

  ‘A rogue, I should say,’ muttered the footman. ‘Don’t like the look of him at all.’

  Beth continued, ignoring the disgruntled murmurings from her staff. ‘Is he partial to the drink? Does he gamble heavily?’

  Cook paled and had to sit down. ‘Mercy me! What has come upon us? He could lose the estate on a turn of the cards. It does happen – as we all know.’ She cast Helen a sorrowful glance. ‘But we’ve never had a gambler in this house before.’

  ‘We do not know that he does play at the tables, Mrs Howard,’ Beth soothed the cook, ‘but what I am saying is that we don’t know what his habits are. There are many ways he could cast us into penury, but if we work together, we may be able to stop him before things get out of hand.’

  Cook fanned herself with her apron.

  ‘Mr Greenway –’ Beth turned to her estate manager – ‘will you keep a sharp eye on what he is doing, and report to me immediately if you think something underhand is going on?’

  ‘You can rely on me,’ he told her. ‘He won’t be able to take so much as an apple without us knowing. He will be watched every moment. My first meeting with him was interesting. He appeared to have a good knowledge of plants, and he examined the soil as if he knew what he was doing.’

  ‘That is encouraging and eases my mind somewhat. Now, Jenkins, has he brought his own valet with him?’

  ‘No, which is very strange. When I asked him, he said he would only need help occasionally, and that Stanley here –’ he nodded to the footman – ‘could serve as his valet when needed.’

  Mrs Howard tutted. ‘I’ve never heard of such a thing – a gentleman not having his own valet.’

  ‘Ah, but is he a gentleman?’ Jenkins asked.

  Beth pursed her lips; she did not like what she was doing, but her future was at risk, and she had never been one to shirk an unpleasant task. ‘What I am going to ask you to do is distasteful, but I cannot manage this on my own, and I can see no alternative.’

  ‘You want us to spy on him,’ footman Stanley declared with obvious relish.

  Beth nodded and looked at the others. ‘But I only want Jenkins, Greenway and Stanley to carry out this underhand task. I want the rest of you to go about your duties as usual, because if he dismisses any of you for incompetence, then I shall not be able to intervene on your behalf. Is that understood?’

  All the females nodded, but they could not hide their disappointment at being excluded from such exciting goings-on.

  ‘Now, I would ask you one more thing.’ She turned to the men she had enlisted. ‘Please be discreet, as I am going to need the support of every one of you.’

  Beth glanced at the clock. ‘I must not keep you any longer, so you had better all return to work. It wouldn’t do for his lordship’s dinner to be late, or he will become suspicious that we are up to something.’

  As everyone scurried back to their respective tasks, she took her estate manager aside and spoke to him quietly. ‘We shall need to keep a close watch on the accounts. I fear it most unlikely that he will allow me to continue doing them, and you will have more chance of checking them than I. Try to see that he does not take over the task without your help, because if he does, then we shall have lost control.’

  Greenway frowned. ‘I’ll do my best, but even if he does, I shall keep my own records.’

  ‘That is an excellent idea. Then if anything strange is going on, we shall be aware of it.’ Beth smiled with satisfaction and left the kitchen, feeling more at ease. There were difficult times ahead, but at least she had retainers loyal to her, and Helen by her side.

  Five

  ‘Our meeting with Mr Crighton this morning did nothing to unravel this mystery. I cannot believe my godfather would have had a son and not told anyone about him,’ Beth declared as soon as they were back in her private sitting room. ‘But there is little more we can do about it at the moment.’

  Helen nodded. ‘I agree. You could employ a detective agency to investigate for you. There are such places, I believe. But such action would be distasteful and should only be used if the situation is desperate. Things are not at that state yet and, we must hope, never will be. You have acted wisely by being open with the staff. He will be closely watched now.’

  ‘Yes, we must be vigilant and wait to see what he intends.’ Beth gave a ragged sigh. ‘And you are right about employing someone to investigate. I do not wish any of this to become public knowledge. All anyone outside this house needs to know is that, after the tragic death of my godfather, his son is now my guardian.’

  ‘And he is as charming
as his father.’

  ‘That is taking things too far, Helen!’ She couldn’t help smiling at her friend’s innocent expression. ‘I would choke on the words.’

  ‘Nevertheless, use wisdom and caution, Beth. I have a feeling that this man is not here just to take over as your guardian. There is something else going on, but it is too early to deduce what it is.’

  ‘You have always been a good judge of character, and I value your opinion, Helen. I am so glad you are here, for I should be quite lost and frightened without you.’

  ‘We will face whatever is to come together, as we have always done. You will not end up losing your home like me! And Lord Edward Sharland was an honourable man. He would not have placed you in this situation if he’d had the slightest doubt you would face ruin.’

  ‘Of course he would not, and I must keep reminding myself of that. And he has left us both money, and that shows he was concerned for our welfare.’ Beth’s eyes misted with tears when she thought about the man she had adored. ‘As he died so far from home and we cannot have a proper funeral, I shall arrange a memorial service in his memory. We cannot allow his passing to go unnoticed.’

  ‘Indeed not. His many friends will wish to pay their respects.’

  Beth was instantly on her feet. ‘Let us make the arrangements now.’

  The memorial service was quickly arranged, and they spent the rest of the afternoon writing invitations. There were many, and the task would take both of them some time.

  When they went down to dinner, the butler caught them at the bottom of the stairs. ‘His lordship has asked for the evening meal to be served in the main dining room in future, Miss Elizabeth, and the table be set just for two.’

  Without saying a word, Beth stormed into the room, pulling Helen with her and muttering under her breath, ‘How dare he!’

  ‘We never dine in here,’ Beth declared when she saw him standing by the window with a drink in his hand. ‘This room is only used when we entertain, and Helen always dines with me.’

  James Sharland held a chair for her to sit down, leaving Jenkins looking highly offended at having this duty taken from him.

  ‘We shall use it in future,’ his lordship told her peremptorily. ‘It is a charming room.’

  Helen was hovering uncertainly in the doorway. Beth beckoned her forward.

  ‘See another place is set, please, Jenkins.’

  ‘At once, Miss Langton.’ He nodded to the maid who did this immediately, already having the setting ready.

  He was wasting no time in making changes, she thought as mutiny simmered in her, but this was not the moment to argue. She must be patient, but she was not going to allow him to disrupt her routine too much, and she must make this clear from the outset.

  He had tried to exclude Helen from the table but had not protested when she had insisted. A small victory, but that was the way she must handle this situation.

  He was still holding her chair, so she gave a gracious nod of her head at this concession from him, sat down and smiled at the butler as he pushed past his lordship and placed the napkin on her lap with a possessive flourish.

  ‘Thank you, Jenkins.’

  He bowed and did the same for Helen, ignoring the gentleman who was seated at the other end of the table.

  No one could have found fault with the way the first two courses were served, but Beth had the utmost difficulty in keeping her amusement under control. The staff fussed around her, making sure she had everything within reach, and would not so much as let her pick up the condiments, but when they attended the other end of the table, their attitude changed. Not enough to cause offence, but it was as if the new Lord Sharland did not exist, and the plates were removed with slightly bemused expressions on their faces.

  Beth stifled a gurgle of laughter at their antics. It was as if they couldn’t understand how the plates could be empty when there was no one there to eat the food. It was a performance worthy of a comedy play, and she suddenly realized that she was enjoying herself. Emboldened by the feeling, she said, ‘I trust you will make yourself available to attend the memorial service for Lord Edward?’

  ‘What memorial service?’ His eyes narrowed as he looked at her.

  ‘The one I arranged today. It is to be held in five days’ time – two o’clock in the local church. I have already begun sending out invitations.’

  ‘And you did not think to consult me first?’

  ‘I doubted you would wish to burden yourself with the details, or indeed would even have the time. My godfather had many friends and they would wish to pay their respects to his memory.’

  ‘Are you inviting everyone from this area?’

  ‘Yes, of course.’

  He bowed his head in acknowledgement. ‘I will, of course, attend.’

  It was a silent meal after that, and by the time the coffee had been served she was pleased at the way he had received the news of the memorial service. She should have consulted him, and he could have been angry, but he had said very little. That was a relief. However, she must have a word with the servants and ask them not to do this again, for she was sure that his lordship was not blessed with an abundance of good humour.

  ‘I trust the food was to your liking?’

  ‘The food, yes,’ he told her, ‘but the staff would be wise not to take this charade too far.’

  She looked at him with wide-eyed innocence.

  ‘Come now,’ he chided, ‘don’t pretend you did not notice. I shall overlook it this time, but although I am a man of considerable patience, I do have my limits, and I shall not tolerate childish behaviour.’ He paused. ‘Is that clear?’

  ‘Perfectly.’ She stood up. ‘We shall leave you to your brandy.’

  ‘Sit down.’ The order was softly spoken, but it was nonetheless an order it would be unwise to disobey. He was making her feel like a girl back in the schoolroom.

  He lit a small cigar and she grimaced.

  ‘Do you find the smoke distasteful?’ he asked.

  ‘There is a smoking room next door,’ she pointed out.

  ‘I prefer to remain here. It is quite the most agreeable room in the entire house.’

  How dare he intimate that the rest of the house was a disgrace! It was all in good order; she had seen to that.

  He drew on his cigar deeply, then tipped his head back and blew the smoke towards the ceiling. ‘Why are you not married? Did you not take at your season?’

  Her mouth dropped open at his bluntness, but she snapped it shut quickly before words of rebuke came spilling out. ‘I have not had a season. My father was considering it before his untimely death. Since then I have been too busy running the estate to give it a thought.’

  ‘You don’t have to concern yourself with that now. I shall make arrangements for your come-out later this year. A season in London will be good for you.’

  He wasn’t going to get rid of her like that! ‘You need not put yourself to all that trouble,’ she told him as sweetly as possible. ‘I do not want a season, and it would be unseemly as I am once again in mourning.’

  He dismissed her objections with a wave of his hand. ‘As your guardian, I feel it my duty to see you launched properly into society. You cannot spend the whole of your life in Hampshire, delightful though it is.’

  ‘On the few occasions I have visited London, I found it quite disagreeable.’ How was she going to get out of this predicament? Her mind started working furiously, looking for answers. ‘And do you intend to be my chaperone?’

  A fleeting expression of horror crossed his face. ‘Indeed not! That is a job for a female, and I shall find you a suitable lady. You will need a new wardrobe; you are not dressed in the latest mode. Of course, it does not matter here, but you cannot possibly be seen in fashionable places dressed like that.’

  She was furious! The dress she was wearing was one of her best, and she had always considered it quite fine. The deep violet colour was also eminently suitable for her present position. ‘My father and
godfather have recently died,’ she declared. ‘Would you expect me to be walking around in a red gown?’

  ‘No, but in six months or so you will be able to wear more becoming shades. We shall keep the mourning period in mind when the dressmaker is summoned, but it is a blessing that your father forbade you to wear black – it would not suit you at all.’

  ‘That will cost a great deal, and I would prefer you did not spend my money on such fripperies.’

  ‘The cost of your season will come out of my own coffers.’ He extinguished his cigar. ‘Don’t look so surprised. I do have funds of my own; after all, I am the Sharland heir.’

  That was something she still had grave doubts about, but if he was an impostor, then he had managed to fool a great many people so far.

  He tipped his head to one side and studied her carefully, then stood up. ‘Yes, we should be able to make you quite presentable.’

  She watched him stride away with murder in her heart.

  The horse arriving at great speed had the grooms rushing to take care of the lathered animal.

  Waiting for his friend to dismount, James stood there, shaking his head. ‘That’s no way to treat a fine animal, Dan.’

  Daniel Edgemont jumped down and greeted James, smiling broadly and hardly out of breath. ‘I intended to come in a few days’ time anyway, but your summons sounded urgent. What’s up, Professor? Have you found some rare plant, or perhaps an interesting ruin?’

  ‘Nothing like that. I have a rather large problem, and I think it will be to your liking. I know how you relish a touch of danger.’ James studied his friend’s impassive expression. ‘You knew my father well, and I suspect you are already aware of the task ahead of me, but come inside and I’ll fill in the details.’

  James took Daniel to the study, closed the door firmly after refreshments had been brought in, and began to talk.

  When he’d finished telling Dan what had happened, his friend stared at him in astonishment. ‘Damn it, James, your father had no right to force such a duty on you. You never even met the man until ten years ago.’