Page 29 of The Scarred Duchess
Bennet patted her hand. “Of course not. I will ask Reeves to visit my cousin.”
“Promise me that is all you shall do.”
Bennet raised her hands and gave a kiss to each. “Fear not.”
Gardiner,
I hope this letter finds you and finds you well. I find myself in a bit of a hobble and seek your assistance. It concerns your brother Bennet’s estate.
You know of the demise of Josiah Collins. Upon hisdeath, we filed with the Chancery Courts to change the fee tail to fee simple. I will not tire you with the legalese; let it be said that the change is in the best interest of the landholders and the Crown.
Our application was denied! What is extraordinary is that the court scribe did not post accompanying legal counter-arguments against our filing. Completely unheard of. A whimsical ruling such as this is like the catalyst for the War of the Roses.
I ask you to use your connexions to investigate this irregularity; I have included the names of anyone possibly related to this rum business. I have also added a small summary of a contretemps which occurred in April, the year of our Lord 1786, between your father and a lawyer from town.
Godspeed in your endeavours.
Philips
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
A fidgety Lord Eldon sat at Boodle’s, sipping from his tumbler. He peered at his pocket watch for the fifth time in five minutes. Although he detested tardiness, his meeting with the senior counsellor of the War Office supplanted his personal peccadillos. He placed his drink down and wiped the sweat from his palms on his breeches.
“Eldon,” acknowledged Lord Matlock, entering the club. “Have I kept you waiting?”
He hurriedly stood. “Of course not.”
“Excellent. Let us call for a private room.”
A formally clad servant opened the door to a private room and quickly departed, not before placing a tumbler of whiskey on the near side table.
“I have heeded your summons, Lord Matlock. How may I assist you?”
The earl sipped his drink. Eldon knew he appreciated whiskey. He hoped his gesture would garner an iota of goodwill.
“I recently learnt of a nonsensical ruling made by yourcourt to a proffer regarding an inheritance request for an entail change.”
“I make many rulings. Who filed the change?”
“Gardiner, from Hertfordshire.”
Eldon gulped.What had that idiot Percy involved him in?
“Could you be more specific?”
Lord Matlock put down his drink and leant in. Through gritted teeth, he hissed, “Is it your intent to toy with me? Me?” The last word spoken was laced with pure menace.
Eldon shook his head, uncaring that his fear was evident. “It was Percy’s doing,” he whispered.
“Gardiner is aware.”
Eldon’s stomach dropped.
“Reverse your decision. Properly address the change.”
“Consider it done,” he said shakily.
“See that it is.”
