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Trenton’s head started to ache. “The son, or the father?”
Jeremiah stared at him blankly for a moment. It seemed to take an age before he finally answered. “The father was a solicitor, from Sinnerton and Saunders in Taunton. They dealt with grandfather’s estate after he passed last year.”
“It was in the spring of last year,” Adelaide added with a quiet nod of satisfaction.
“Yes, it was. Abraham Sinnerton was the senior partner in Sinnerton and Saunders and dealt with the estate. His son, Alfred helped. He is a small, thin young man in his early twenties; doesn’t look strong enough to stand upright on a windy day.”
“That’s the one,” Trenton sighed, suddenly relieved that Jeremiah had arrived when he had.
“There is a daughter too, but I’ll be darned if I can remember her name,” Adelaide mused.
“Hyacinth, I think,” Jeremiah asked. “Although I never met her myself, you understand. When I had occasion to call in at his offices I happened to remark upon the paintings within the room, two of which were of his children; Hyacinth, and what’s his face.”
“Alfred Sinnerton.”
“Did you see Mrs Sinnerton at all?” Adelaide asked.
“Oh no,” Jeremiah declared flatly. “I only went into his offices, not m
et with the blasted family.”
“So, what happened to bring them to London? They are living in slums,” Trenton mused.
“Who is?” Jeremiah demanded looking from Trenton to Adelaide, then back at Trenton.
“The Sinnertons,” Adelaide sighed.
“What? Preposterous,” Jeremiah scoffed. “Although they weren’t wealthy by our standards, they appeared reasonably comfortable.”
“Did you see where they lived in Taunton?” Trenton challenged.
“No, but the offices were of a reputable solicitors. If they hadn’t been of good character, grandfather wouldn’t have used them,” Jeremiah declared confidently. “The solicitors had been there for many a good year. Why Abraham Sinnerton was one of the founding partners.”
“I need to make some enquiries about whether Abraham Sinnerton is still trading. Maybe the company has gone out of business,” Trenton muttered, wondering who he should ask.
“I think that is best. Meantime, I will endeavour to find out if any unfortunate incidents have taken place at any of the places they have visited. I shall see if anyone has heard anything about Mrs Sinnerton’s past,” Adelaide declared firmly.
Trenton nodded. “She told us they hail from Somerset, so she didn’t hide that fact.”
Adelaide sighed and glanced toward the window. “I do hope Ursula will be back soon. It is starting to rain already.”
“Do you want me to go and look for her?” Trenton offered, already making his way toward the door before his offer was accepted.
“If you would, my dear. That would be helpful. Meantime, I shall have a little word with my brother about what has been going on.”
Trenton paused at the door with one hand on the knob and threw Jeremiah a pointed look.
“About the offer you have received for her,” he murmured. To his surprise, Jeremiah shifted uncomfortably in his seat and began to look uncomfortable.
“I wasn’t going accept an offer,” Jeremiah admitted sheepishly. “Not without her approval in any case.”
“You just threatened to in case she objected to the idea of finding her own husband.” Adelaide shook her head chidingly. “You surprise me sometimes, you really do.”
“What?” Jeremiah bluffed. “I had to do something. Someone like Ursula shouldn’t be squirrelled away in the country unless she has children and a husband to share her life with.”
“Consider an offer for her taken,” Trenton declared firmly in a voice that warned Jeremiah he would accept no argument.
He was already out of the front door, running down the steps by the time Jeremiah realised he was staring at the door with his mouth wide open. He turned to face his sister and peered suspiciously at her proud smile.
