Page 57 of The Icy Duke Claims a Bride

The other two appointees had been an eminent lawyer and a now-deceased elderly cousin. This decision of his father told Hugh two things: his father had trusted Reginald Bennett, and he had not entirely trusted his own brother, Edwin Vaughan.

Catherine nodded in understanding and finally pulled on a dressing gown which Hugh knew would make it far easier for him to leave their suite. They had agreed that she should remain at Redbridge Hall today. Mr. Bennett would be more likely to speak freely in front of Hugh alone.

“It’s interesting, isn’t it,” she mused as she tied the belt around her dressing gown, “that you, your father, and your grandmother were all content to let Edwin assist with running the estate…”

“No one could deny the value of his contributions.” Hugh shrugged. “He certainly knows money, assets, and investments.”

“And yet, at the same time, your father took such firm legal steps in his will to prevent his younger brother from ever having control of his heir and other children in the event of his death. I wonder if your father knew something.”

“But if he knew, he would have told Grandmother, wouldn’t he?” Hugh pointed out, clasping his watch and fixing his cufflinks. “He would have warned people.”

“Not if it were only a suspicion. And was this arrangement always in your father’s will, or was it added after a particular date? That could give us some clues as to why he did it.”

“You’re right,” Hugh said, now seeing and appreciating the way Catherine’s mind was working. “While I’m out, perhaps you could go through my father’s files here and see if there are any hints. I’ll ask Perkins to show you where the files are.”

He walked to his bedroom desk, opened a hidden drawer, and passed her a small set of keys.

“These should open the various drawers and doors in the study downstairs. They’re not marked, so you’ll have to try all of them.”

“Good luck to both of us.” Catherine smiled and kissed him goodbye.

Around seventy years of age, the amiable old man with still-lively hazel eyes and white hair had been delighted by the Duke of Redbridge’s call. Reginald Bennett had insisted that his housekeeper bring out the best cake and finest sherry, despite the early hour and Hugh’s initial protestations.

“Young Hugh, my word! No disrespect, Your Grace, but you were a boy when we last met, you understand. Time moves so fast.”

“No offense is taken, Mr. Bennett. I’m only glad that you could see me this morning without a prior notice.”

Mr. Bennett laughed, his hands in the pockets of a surprisingly colorfully embroidered waistcoat. “My days are purely for my own leisure at this age, Your Grace, and guests are ever welcome, if few in number. Mrs. Bennett passed away five years ago, and none of our children live nearby, so I have plenty of time on my hands. I have only my library, my correspondence, and Jasper, my parrot.”

“Cake for Jasper!” the colorful bird called out on cue as the housekeeper returned to the room with the tray of cake and sherry.

“Wait for your turn, Jasper,” Mr. Bennett instructed sternly.

Hugh was amused to see the housekeeper serve three portions of seed cake and take one to the parrot’s cage before leaving the room.

“Now, what brings you to my humble residence, Your Grace?” Mr. Bennett asked without further preamble, once they were both seated and equipped with drinks.

“A peculiar request, and one of a confidential nature,” Hugh said. “My father trusted you, and I’m hoping that I can, too.”

“Trust is the bedrock of our firm,” the parrot declared loudly, causing both men to burst out laughing, despite the earnestness of Hugh’s words.

“You must excuse old Jasper, Your Grace. He used to belong to our company, Bennett, Haworth & Sons. Old Mr. Haworth brought Jasper to the office back in ‘75, and I brought him home with me ten years ago because he was making himself unpopular with important clients. Jasper picked up a lot of the firm’s language over the years but never learned when to keep his beak shut.”

“That’s very funny.” Hugh smiled, helping himself to a second slice of seed cake. “In that case, I suppose both you and Jasper know my uncle, Lord Edwin Vaughan?”

There was a slight but discernible change in the old man’s expression at the mention of Edwin. A veil had descended over his eyes, where there had previously been only cordiality.

“Yes, of course,” Mr. Bennett replied. “He worked with our firm regularly after your father died, on behalf of the Redbridge estate, and for his own business interests.”

“Does he still work with Bennett, Haworth & Sons?” Hugh asked casually.

“You’d have to ask the two young Mr. Haworths,” Mr. Bennett said as he sipped his sherry. “The firm is onlyHaworthsnow, and has been over the last ten years. Old Mr. Haworth is long dead, I retired, and my boy Leo partnered with Boyd across the other side of London, as you’ll know, since Leo took the Redbridge estate account with him.”

“I ask because I’ve been speaking to some of Uncle Edwin’s old business associates and their families recently, and I’ve learned of some matters that concern me deeply. As the Duke of Redbridge, I have a responsibility to ensure that my relations and employees keep the law and uphold my family’s honor. Unfortunately, I suspect this may not always have been the case with my uncle.”

Reginald Bennett narrowed his eyes at him. “And if your suspicions are confirmed, what do you intend to do?”

“Exert all the legal, financial, and social influence I possess to put a stop to such behavior and make redress as far I can. Uncle Edwin needs the duchy behind him, and he knows it.”

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