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“Well, he is rather shy and bookish but knows what he is doing. He is the third son of a viscount something or other, I am not entirely sure. He is excellent at handling the books. All of the staff respect him. His presence here has lightened my load considerably. He has done some good deals for the estate too,” Algernon reported knowledgeably. “The man doesn’t get out much, though. He seems intent on reading the entire library here because he is always borrowing books and disappearing at night into his cottage. He never goes out anywhere, so I decided to include him in my guest list in the hopes the others would invite him to the social functions they hold.”
“Do they?”
“Yes, but he often declines to go. He doesn’t have a choice here. I won’t accept any excuses, and if he wants to keep his job, he attends,” Algernon added with an unconcerned smile.
“So, there is Philip Everson. Who else?”
“Well, there is Morwenna Banks. She used to own the cotton mill, if you remember? She took over it when her husband died, but has handed it over to her son, Hubert. Now she has some spare time, Morwenna helps out at the church a lot. She tends to spend most of her days wandering about in her garden as well. She has that big white house at the edge of the village. That son of hers, Hubert, now runs the mill. Estimable fellow, that one, but he does tend to chatter a lot. Thankfully he is too busy to come to the engagements in the village.”
Jeb suspected if he didn’t refocus his father on the guests at dinner tonight he was apt to tell Jeb the entire Banks’ family history. “Who else?”
“Well, Reverend Andover.”
“The Reverend is classed as ‘society’ these days?” Jeb asked incredulously.
In spite of his worries, Algernon smiled. “Well, it doesn’t hurt to stay friends with the vicar. You never know when you might need a Reverend. He is an estimable chap, with connections, so is a useful contact to have. His name is Roger Andover, or Rupert, or something like that. Anyhow, everyone calls him Reverend. He is also a viscount’s son. He joined the church rather than the army.”
“Do you like him?”
Algernon thought about that. “I don’t dislike him, if that helps? He does tend to be a bit thoughtful at times, and it can make conversation a little difficult. He has a tendency to quote bible phrases here and there which can be a little off-putting I don’t mind telling you. Otherwise, I have no grievance with him or any reason to distrust him.”
Jeb closed his eyes and prayed he would have the strength to get through the evening. From the sound of just two of the guests, dinner was going to be a rather tedious quagmire he wasn’t altogether sure he had the patience for right now.
“Who else is joining us?”
“Well, there is Pearl and Mabel Harvell. They are old dears who tend to twitter on about stuff and nonsense. Gossip mostly, although they do like to recount their experiences of their youth.” Algernon looked askance at Jeb, who nodded his understanding. He shook his head before Jeb could ask. “No, I don’t really like them to be honest with you, but they are useful guests to have at the table, if only to keep the conversation going.”
“So, who else is coming?”
“Well, there is Delilah Carney and her niece, Sophia.”
“Delilah Carney. Do I know her?” Jeb frowned.
The name rang a bell, but he couldn’t remember her from when he lived in the village as a child.
“She lives in the old stone cottage at the other end of the village, just besi
de the woods. You passed it on your way here if you came from London. She has lived there for a long time, although I cannot remember where she came from.” Algernon shook his head and gave Jeb a warning look. “She is a strange character. Likes to be the life and soul of the party, but can be quite opinionated and, well, loud, if you know what I mean? Can’t stand the woman myself, but I know some people in the village quite like her.”
“Quite like her?”
“Well, she can be outspoken and has a tendency to put her mouth into action before her brain. She has upset a lot of people but, given her rather outlandish behaviour, doesn’t give people the chance to reprimand her. I will be damned if I can understand who she really is.”
Algernon looked for a moment as though the mysteries of women were far beyond him.
In complete agreement with his sentiment, Jeb smiled.
“What about her niece? Does she live here permanently?”
“She is just visiting. Her name is Sophia. I don’t know much about her, but I do know she arrived to visit her aunt a couple of weeks ago. Where she came from, though, I have no idea. She seems sweet enough, and is a total contrast to her wayward aunt. I cannot help but wonder what on earth her father thought he was doing by allowing her to stay with someone like Delilah. Still, it is none of my business. She can’t be the thief because she hasn’t been in the village long enough.”
“Is that everyone?”
“No,” Algernon sighed, and finally took a seat.
His random pacing backwards and forwards was starting to tire Jeb out.
“There is Squire Trelawney. The Squire is the other uncouth guest I shall undoubtedly struggle to get myself heard over tonight. He is a tad odious and has an opinion about everything. The Squire is a rather bullish individual you would be best not to engage in conversation unless you have to.”
