Page 3 of Lady Tamsyn and the Pixie's Curse
Chapter1
CastleKeyvnor
1811
Here he was,back again. Gryff frowned as he followed the servant through the darkly paneled passage toward the earl’s study. Back at Castle Keyvnor, where he had no wish to be. Where he hadn’t set foot in ten years, since he’d been a callow youth chasing a pretty girl—anoblegirl who, in the end, had turned out to be too proud to associate with a mere Cornishgentleman.
“Come in, Mr.Cardew.”
He knew Mr. Drake, the castle’s steward. They sometimes shared a pint or a game of darts at the Mermaid’s Kiss in BockaMorrow.
“This is Mr. Hunt, Lord Banfield’s solicitor. He’s here for the reading of the will—and to take care of business relatedtoit.”
Gryff shook the smaller man’s hand—and gave him credit. He didn’t stare, even if Gryff did tower over him. “I assume this is about that plot of Lancarrow land? And its transfer back to myfamily?”
“It is indeed.” The solicitor indicated a seat atthedesk.
“I shouldn’t think there would be a problem.” He sat. “The lease was laid out clear enough. The land is to be granted back to my family on the earl’sdeath.”
“I do remember it to be just so,” Drake said. “The transfer is mentioned in the will, of course.” He looked slightly embarrassed. “But oddly enough, I cannot find the paperwork related to the lease anywhere.” He shook his head. “Never has such a thing happenedtome.”
“Your files are exemplary in every other respect,” Mr. Hunt assured him. “I’m sure they willturnup.”
“I don’t know.” Drake rubbed his temple. “There was something about that agreement. Something odd—but my mind has gone a bit fuzzyaboutit.”
Gryff agreed—there was something odd about the thing. He’d thought so ever since he first heard of the transaction. That bit of land was small, and although it did contain an old quarry that hadn’t been worked in years, it also contained the PixieBarrow.
It was an old family legend—that the pixies lived in the barrow.The family takes care of the pixies and the pixies take care of the family. That was what was carved—in old Welsh letters—into the mantle above the huge fireplace in the old great hall—and what the older generations passed along to theyoung.
And perhaps they were right. In truth, his family was lucky. Their children were largely healthy, their crops generally good. The tenants on the land were loyal and long-lived. Storms often missed them. And they usually managed to be on the right side of a battle or politicalfight.
All of this was why Gryff had been so shocked when his father made the bargain in the first place. And why he was anxious to get thelandback.
Drake sighed. “Maybe I’m getting too old forthejob.”
“Nonsense,” Hunt declared. He turned to Gryff. “But there are a few details that I need to verify and would like to note. We were hoping that you would share your copy of thelease,sir.”
“Of course.” Gryff tamped down on a surge of annoyance. “You should have sent word, I would have had the papers delivered to you.” And saved himself a trip to this cheerless pile ofstone.
“That’s just it. I don’t quite trust the matter to a servant. Not with the oddity of our missingfiles.”
“Then perhaps you would both care to join me at Lancarrow tomorrow morning? You can find what you need and I’ll promise you a plate of amazing pasties. My cook makes the best in thedistrict.”
“You are kind, but I must impose upon you again, sir. I’m quite bogged down, readying for the reading of the will. I’d hoped you’d come back and bringthemhere?”
“Bring them yourself,” Drake interjected, giving him a long, measuring glance. “That way we’d know they’d be safeenough.”
Gryff’s jaw clenched. He hated references to hisoafishsize.
“We are sorry to inconvenience you,” Drake apologized. “A multitude of beneficiaries is descending on the castle. Some have arrived. The new earl is due today. We are awash inpreparations.”
The earl coming in today? Gryff abruptly stood—intent only on getting out before Banfield—and his daughters—arrived. “Very well. I’ll bring them by earlytomorrow.”
Very early. Before any of the family or guestsarose.
“I’ll walk you out.” Drake followed as Gryff headed forthedoor.
The other man watched him appraisingly as they moved toward the front of the house. “It will be good to have the old place full again,” he sighed. “You met the new Lord Banfield and his family when last they visited, didyounot?”
