Page 49 of A Sense of Fate
‘I am happy to say that we have retained his custom and, I hope, given him no reason to regret his loyalty.’
‘You dispensed with his brother’s services yet still retained the family’s business?’ Archie frowned. ‘I’m astounded.’
Walker shifted in his seat, looking distinctly uncomfortable. Archie found it easy to imagine the nature of his thoughts. Attracting the Marquess of Felsham’s business would be a feather in his personal cap and a coup for the bank. But Archie was demanding the disclosure of sensitive information before committing himself. In Walker’s situation, he would oblige a man of Archie’s stature by being completely transparent. Archie waited him out in silence, interested to see if he would come to the same decision.
‘Our managing director spoke with Conrad’s brother, I believe, and was givencarte blancheto act with the bank’s best interests at heart. It seems the youngest of the three brothers, the man whom we had been cajoled into employing, was something of a black sheep.’ Archie nodded, well able to believe it. ‘He and his father were frequently at odds and had a massive disagreement shortly before the old gentleman’s death that could be heard all over the house, I subsequently discovered.’ Archie raised one brow, not bothering to ask how that intelligence had been brought to his notice. Servants’ gossip, most likely. Even distinguished bankers, he suspected, were not above using underhand means. ‘Shortly thereafter the old gentleman died of a heart attack.’
‘And the eldest son holds his brother responsible.’ Archie rolled his shoulders and rubbed the back of his neck. ‘Any idea what they argued about, the father and son?’ Walker looked a little taken aback by the depth of Archie’s interest, but felt he owed him an explanation, if only to keep him talking. ‘He has been sniffing around me, which is why I ask, and he has informed me that he is still employed by Coutts.’
Walker growled his disapproval, all reticence dissipating. ‘I can assure you that is no longer the case, my lord. As to the nature of the dispute with the father, all I know is that the father accused his son of involving himself in something despicable. I have no idea what, precisely, but frankly nothing would surprise me. Conrad is suave and self-assured, and very popular with the ladies, I understand, but completely unreliable and totally without morals or conscience.’
‘I presume you had suspicions that Conrad was dipping his fingers into the bank’s assets,’ Archie said, ‘but didn’t prosecute for fear of losing his brother’s custom. And to prevent the damage to the bank’s reputation, naturally.’
Walker inclined his head. ‘You are very perceptive, my lord.’
‘So what happened? Where is Conrad employed now?’
‘A small provincial bank in Salisbury, at least that is my understanding. We received a request for a character reference and supplied them with the bare essentials. We confirmed that Conrad had been employed by us and implied that he left for personal reasons.’ Walker cleared his throat and briefly looked away from Archie. ‘The small untruth was necessary to prevent our competitors from spreading stories about our reliability. We did not recommend his services, but I believe the establishment took him on.’
‘I see.’ Archie sat forward. ‘You have been very forthcoming, Mr Walker, and I appreciate your candour. I also like the idea of the bills of exchange.’
Walker smiled broadly. ‘Most astute of you, my lord.’
‘Leave the particulars with me. I’ll run them past my man of business and get back to you.’ Archie rang the bell. ‘I shall start small, and if I’m satisfied with the service I receive, I shall consider increasing the investment.’ Archie hauled himself to his feet and offered Walker his hand. ‘Thank you for taking the trouble to come all this way. I will have someone take you back to the railway station in time to catch the London train.’
Walker inclined his head. ‘The pleasure has been entirely mine, my lord.’
Once Archie’s visitor had been sent on his way, Pawson rejoined Archie, who related everything Walker had just told him about Conrad.
‘What’s he up to, guv’nor?’ Pawson asked, scratching his head.
‘I have absolutely no idea. Yet. But being based in Salisbury means he could have encountered Latimer by accident.’
‘Not likely. The two are chalk and cheese. Latimer thinks he’s on first name terms with God, while Conrad is a scoundrel who got away with stealing from one of the finest banking establishments in the country.’ Pawson sniffed derisively. ‘Can’t see much common ground there myself.’
‘And yet there must be something.’ Archie managed the suggestion of a smile. ‘I think a visit to Fox Hollow is justified this afternoon.’
Pawson grinned. ‘I had a feeling you might say that. I’ll arrange for the horses to be harnessed.’
Flora smiled at her sister, squeezed onto the gig seat beside her. It was really only wide enough for only one person, but the girls made do as Flora drove Mabel around her old ladies’ cottages.
‘It seems to me,’ Melanie said thoughtfully as they headed towards Mrs Finch’s abode, the last of their stops, ‘that you do more to help these lonely people than all of Papa’s so-called charitable committees put together do for similar people in Salisbury. They all perk up no end when you knock at their doors.’
‘I try to give practical help rather than preaching the Bible at them, that much is true,’ Flora replied. ‘I don’t think their souls are in any danger from me, but Papa might well give you an argument on that score.’
‘Probably, but I confess I gave up listening to Papa’s scoldings years ago.’
Flora laughed. ‘Very sensible. There is nothing more trying than a lengthy lecture on one’s shortcomings.’
Is this Mrs Finch’s cottage?’ Melanie asked as Flora turned Mabel under the protection of the adjoining lean-to. ‘You have mentioned her several times.’
‘Yes, this is hers.’
Flora jumped down, collected her basket of remedies from beneath the seat and scooped up the parcel of books she had borrowed from Archie.
‘Good morning, Mrs Finch.’ Flora tapped on the door and let herself in.
‘Ah, you’re here.’ Mrs Finch was short-sighted and peered up at Melanie. ‘And this is your sister, no doubt.’
