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I sent my last letter to the school you were last known to be attending, and I assume it will be some time until it finds its way to you. Thank you for notifying me of your new address and your plans to go to London. I had hoped that this business could be conducted in person. If it would be convenient to come to Bath, and you would be so good as to come to my office, I would be happy to coordinate a meeting with the other beneficiary, Archibald Danvers.
If that is out of the question, I will inquire about arranging a meeting in London. Though, given his circumstances, that could be difficult to accomplish for some time.
As your uncle has taken control of your inheritance since your father’s death, he has been informed of the change in funds and will act accordingly in regard to your quarterly allowance. Nothing in that regard should change, but it is up to your uncle to make that decision.
Do not hesitate to write to me with any additional questions. I eagerly await your reply.
Adam Robertson, solicitor
Given his circumstances? What could that possibly mean? With half of my inheritance, Archibald Danvers was certainly not struggling financially. Was he caught up in a debtor’s prison? Again . . . he now had the funds to free himself. Or could he be caring for an aging or ill relation?
No. I would not allow myself sympathy for a man I knew nothing about beyond the fact that we shared a father.
And what of his mother? I had hoped Mr. Robertson would at least provide a little insight into that.
I looked up, more frustrated than before I’d read the letter, and found Felicity watching me with concern. She was sweet to care, and I had grown to value her company over the last month. I was glad she was coming with me to London so I would not have to face this alone. We were set to leave in just a fortnight, though.
“Do you fancy a trip to Bath?” I asked, making my tone light despite the warring emotions plaguing me.
“Whatever for?”
I drew in a breath. “So I can meet my brother.”
Chapter23
BENEDICT
Kellinger Park was a beautiful estate, set on a hill with the express intent of being admired from all around. It had a prestigious history, and though the butler who provided us with a tour would not permit us into the main bedchambers, it was very apparent the house was nothing more than a beautiful architectural shell—and I was certain the main bedchambers were no different. Most of the furniture had been removed, along with the wide rugs, paintings, and tables. The chandelier was missing from the ballroom, and that alone would be costly to replace, to say nothing for the empty walls that begged to be adorned with gilt framed mirrors and family portraits.
It was very clear, upon walking the corridors, how the family had been able to put off their creditors for so long.
“Somehow, Bumpton felt a little more like a home, would you not agree?” I asked Henry when we walked back to the stables to retrieve our horses.
Henry nodded. “Less funds would be needed to bring Bumpton up to snuff.”
“This house is in a much better state.”
“And utterly empty. It will cost far more to furnish Kellinger than it will to repair Bumpton’s roof.”
We retrieved our horses and rode down the hill, pausing at the base of the road and turning back to look at the house. James had told me to ask myself what my father would think, and I knew from this vantage point that he would appreciate the grandeur and prestige of such a house. He would find it befitting a Bradwell man, and he would say that I had time enough to fill the rooms, that it would not need to be done all at once, surely.
“Perhaps I will make an offer,” I said, looking up at the pinkish stone from the waning sunlight.
“You needn’t make a decision now,” Henry reminded me. “You can inquire further about both houses and submit prices you are willing to pay and decide later if the arrangement will suit your purposes.”
“Did you favor one estate over the other?”
Henry’s mouth tipped down in a bit of a frown. “Bumpton’s land appeared fertile and rich. There is much you can do with good land.”
“True.” I ran my fingers through my hair and placed my hat on my head. “One only needs to look between the flourishing of Chelton and the decline of Claverley’s finances to see how land makes all the difference.”
“Have you put any thought into a land steward?”
“Not yet.” I tugged at my cravat, loosening it. “I wouldn’t know where to begin.”
“Ask James. He might have a local man in mind. Or perhaps take the consideration to London and ask around your old school friends. Maybe someone is looking for work.”
“Not a bad idea.” We kicked our horses into a canter so we might make it home before dark. “If you come to Town, you can help me find someone.”
