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Daniel hesitated. It sounded good, but his stomach was churning. “Just tea, please. But I would like to speak privately with Sir Thomas first.”
“Yes, sir. Of course. And may I take the opportunity to wish you well, sir.”
“Thank you.”
Pitt came downstairs within moments and led Daniel to his study. He looked far more worried than he probably meant to reveal.
Daniel felt vulnerable and protected, belonging and alone, all at once.
Daniel shut the study door to the hall as soon as he was inside. “I know what it’s about,” he said immediately. “I’m telling you not because I want you to help, but because I think you need to know. I might even call you…I don’t know.”
For a moment Pitt look startled. Then he composed himself and waited for Daniel to continue.
“I went to Alderney,” Daniel told him. “I looked at the house May Trelawny bequeathed to Rebecca Thorwood. Someone else was very keen to buy it, but May wouldn’t sell. She died soon after that. I’m sure she was murdered, and I intend to prove it.”
Pitt stared at him levelly, his attention total now.
“I think they killed May to get the house,” Daniel went on. “It’s nothing in itself, but it overlooks and has sole access to a perfect deep-water harbor.”
Pitt looked slightly surprised. “Smuggling?”
“Would that interest you?” Daniel asked dismissively.
Pitt relaxed a little. “No.”
“How about a deep-water harbor, in British waters, for submarines?”
Pitt breathed out slowly, but his attention was even more acute. “Yes, that would interest me very much indeed. Are you certain?”
“I expect to be, one way or the other, by the end of this trial,” Daniel told him. “Will you…will you please come to court, in case I need to call you?”
“Yes. I was coming anyway.”
“Did you know about this?” Daniel did not know whether he was hurt or not. He was certainly wrong-footed.
“I was coming because it’s your case,” Pitt replied. “The first important one you’ve had, where you are definitely leading. Even if you’ve got Kitteridge to back you. You have, haven’t you?”
“Yes. But that isn’t an answer.” Daniel felt a warmth nonetheless. He wanted to believe his father would have come for that reason alone.
Pitt smiled. “It’s the only one you’re going to get.” Then the smile vanished. “Be careful what you ask Jemima…or Patrick. At least, be careful how you do it.”
“They’re not witnesses, I think.”
Pitt started to ask something, then changed his mind.
For a moment their eyes met and they were equals. Then Daniel smiled and went out into the hall, and then into the dining room.
Jemima and Patrick were both there now.
“We are ready,” Jemima said, her expression a little uncertain.
Patrick simply gazed at Daniel.
“I’d like you to come,” Daniel said quietly. “I don’t think I shall need to call you…either of you.” He glanced for a moment at Patrick, and then back to Jemima. “But Rebecca might be glad of your comfort. Please don’t ask me anything. It’s all going to unravel but I’m not sure how. I think I know, but…”
He saw Patrick’s arm go around Jemima, and she moved a little closer to him. It said everything Daniel needed to know, all about love, doubt, trust, and pain.
For an instant, he even envied them. Then he thanked them, forgot about his tea, and turned to leave. He had a great deal still to prepare. In the hall, he met Cassie with one of the maids. She ran to him excitedly. “Uncle Daniel! Are you going to argue? Are you going to make a big argue?”
