Page 99 of The Fortunes of Ashmore Castle

‘Not to me. She never wanted Arabella, and once the estate was gone and there was nothing for Arthur to inherit, she had no use for him either.’

‘Speaking of which, what do you know about the heir – the new Lord Cordwell?’

‘No more than you, that he’s coming tonight. I don’t suppose anyone ever thought he’d be needed, once Lady Linda had a boy.’ Afton appeared, coming down from the hall, and Rose asked, ‘What time is Lord Cordwell arriving, Mr Afton?’

‘Not until half past six,’ Afton said. ‘If the train’s late, he’ll have to go straight up to dress. You’ve put him in the Tapestry Room?’

‘It’s all ready for him.’

‘He’s not bringing a manservant?’ Mrs Webster queried.

‘Probably hasn’t got one,’ said Rose. ‘He’s only a country solicitor.’

‘He might have one and not bother to bring him for such a short stay,’ Afton said, with a hint of rebuke.

‘And no Mr Crooks to fill the gap. Will you give him William?’

‘I’ll need William to be down here while I’m dressing his lordship,’ said Afton, feeling a little distracted. Combining butler and valet was all very well, as long as there were no guests. ‘Sam can take care of him as well as Mr Richard.’

The new Viscount Cordwell stepped down from the carriage to a greeting party of Giles and Richard – who had been out on business when Kitty and Alice arrived – and two footmen. Even this modest honour seemed to overpower him. He stopped and looked around, then up at the façade of the house, before advancing uncertainly towards the two men. ‘The name’s Cordwell,’ he said. ‘I’m afraid the train was late. I’m sorry to have kept your horses standing.’

‘Welcome to Ashmore Castle,’ said Richard. ‘I’m Richard Tallant and this is Lord Stainton. Only cousins by marriage, but please call us Cousin Richard and Cousin Giles.’

‘Thank you,’ he said blankly. He was a well-favoured young man, who looked about thirty, and was wearing a light grey suit with a black armband, and a soft hat. He had stepped down with a leather holdall in his hand. Sam, the second footman, was hovering at his elbow, trying to take it from him. Cordwell noticed at last and relinquished it, slightly reluctantly.

‘Is that all your luggage?’ Giles asked.

‘Er – yes. What time is the funeral tomorrow?’

‘At eleven. And Mr Fossey, of Fossey, Gleeson and Tuke, will be here just after breakfast, to have a word, if that’s all right.’

‘I did have a letter from them,’ said Cordwell. He had a very slight accent, no more than a modest West Country roundness of the vowels, but it was noticeable next to the clipped voices of the brothers. ‘I’m not sure what there is to discuss, though.’

‘Just tidying things up,’ Giles said. ‘I’m afraid we have to go straight up to change.’

‘Sam, here, will attend to you,’ said Richard, extending a hand towards the door to get him moving. ‘We’ve put you in the Tapestry Room.’

‘Very well,’ he said, and followed Sam inside.

Richard and Giles lingered a little behind to exchange a glance. ‘Charm personified,’ said Richard.

‘It can’t be easy for him,’ Giles offered in excuse.

‘But can he possibly have evening clothes and a frock coat in that bag?’ Richard said with a suppressed grin.

‘And where has he hidden his silk hat?’ Giles murmured.

‘Perhaps he has a gibus,’ Richard said. ‘I wish Crooks was here to sort him out.’

Mr Fossey was the grandson of the original Fossey of Fossey, Gleeson and Tuke, and was young enough not to be too stately with the new viscount, even though his job was to tell him that no money or property whatsoever came with the title.

‘I hope you don’t mind my staying for the meeting,’ Giles said to Cordwell. ‘I would like to be sure that you understand the arrangements that had to be made when my brother-in-law Gerald died.’

‘I believe there was considerable debt,’ said Cordwell.

Giles nodded. ‘So much so that the entire estate was taken up with discharging it.’

‘And you took the widow and children into your own house?’ He had a flat way of talking that gave no hint as to his approval or otherwise.