Page 40 of Lady Audacious
‘I will tell you what I told Miss Aspen when she asked me the very same question, which is precious little on both counts. A lawyer, a man by the name of Sandwell, came to see me about eleven years ago. Fox’s Reachhadbeen occupied spasmodically by a tenant whom no one locally knew anything about, but Sandwell told me he had vacated the property and that he, Sandwell, now acted on behalf of the owner, whose name he could not disclose. It seemed odd, but he had the deeds to the house and everything I saw appeared to be in order. Naturally, I made enquiries about Sandwell after he left, just to reassure myself that I wasn’t being gulled in some way, but the gentleman enjoys a pristine reputation as a lawyer with prestigious chambers in Lincoln’s Inn. I was satisfied that his representation was genuine, in case you are wondering.’
‘I admire your diligence.’ Reuben leaned back in his chair and crossed one booted foot over his opposite knee. ‘Sandwell asked you to find a reliable person to supervise the property, I recollect, and my father recommended Harris.’
‘That came later. There was an older man who’d looked after it for years but he died about five years ago, which is when your father got involved and suggested Harris—who has never given me any reason to regret appointing him.’
‘Did my father know anything about the property’s history?’
‘If he did then he chose not to enlighten me. Your father was, if you will pardon me for saying so, not a man to invite confidences.’
Reuben nodded, well aware that it was true. His father was a stickler for protocol, stiff and formidable; the opposite to Reuben’s mother in all respects, which is perhaps why the marriage worked so well. His mother never questioned the pater’s word, which was absolute law. Only Emily, his youngest child, was able to charm him out of his frequent brown studies.
So why would his father have involved himself with the stewardship of Fox’s Reach? To give a returning soldier employment because his position had been taken at Amberley Hall, or for a more personal reason? Reuben stretched his legs out in front of him, thinking it would be worth having his secretary delve into his father’s old files. He never threw anything away, was meticulous in his record keeping, and if there was anything to be found out about the property’s ownership, the chances were that it would be in those records somewhere.
But for a reclusive tenant, Fox’s Reach had remained vacant, with nothing known about its ownership for years. And then, just at the time of Odile’s parents’ death, everything had changed, which begged the question why?
‘Is there nothing else you can tell me? I ask because a chancer has already called upon Miss Aspen, trying to convince her that her father asked him to look out for her interests.’
Barton shook his head. ‘So soon? I did warn her that she would draw attention to herself if she did not employ a manager, a man to undertake the renovations. What with the property having been vacant for so long and the village being a hotbed of gossip, a lass of her tender age was bound to be noticed by the less scrupulous among us. Even so, I thought she would have had longer. Ah well, she has Harris and I hear she has employed a couple of young lads as well. Hopefully, they will ward off any unwanted approaches between them.’
Reuben stood, satisfied that Barton had told him everything he knew, which unfortunately didn’t add anything to the intelligence he already possessed. He rode home slowly, hoping that they would have better fortune with the parish clerk on the morrow.
He whistled to Chase as soon as he dismounted and walked into the house with his dog at his heels and with barely enough time to change for dinner. He turned a corner and collided, almost literally, with Sarah, the last person he had any desire to see. He wondered what she could possibly be doing, lurking just outside the door to his library. She had no reason to be in that part of the house. Indeed, she would have had to take a lengthy detour from the route between her chamber and the drawing room in order to reach it.
‘Oh Reuben, you gave me quite a start!’
She placed her hand over her heart, perhaps deliberately drawing his attention to the low bodice of her evening gown and the view it afforded him of her impressive decolletage. Her gesture made her purpose clearer. She had probably seen him return from her chamber window and had waited here with the deliberate intention of accidentally meeting him. What she hoped to gain from the encounter was less obvious.
‘Sorry, Sarah, that was not my intention. But now, if you will excuse me, I need to change or I will keep everyone waiting.’
‘I overheard you mention to your mama that you have given our new neighbour one of your puppies.’
Ourneighbour?‘I was not aware that you took any interest in my dogs,’ he said, affecting surprise.
‘I take an active interest in everything this family does. After all, you have been so kind to me. It’s only natural that I welcome the opportunity to involve myself and prevent you from making mistakes.’
‘How is your mother?’ he asked pointedly. ‘I hope there has been an improvement in her condition.’
Sarah was unable to withhold a scowl, although she swiftly eradicated all traces of it. ‘Mama has never been strong.’
‘I dare say you miss her society, and she yours.’
‘Why, Reuben, if I did not know better, I would think you were anxious to be rid of me.’ She batted her lashes at him. The gesture was probably supposed to be flirtatious, but it made her look as though she had something in her eye.
‘On the contrary, Sarah, you are like a sister to me.’
‘Which is why, if you will accept my warning, it would be unwise for Emily to become too intimate with our new neighbour. Your mother agrees with my view. We know nothing about Miss Aspen, or how she came to inherit such a valuable property. Rumours abound in the village, which is never a good thing.’
Clearly, Reuben singing Miss Aspen’s praises earlier had already struck a discordant note in Sarah’s songbook. ‘I will not tolerate your interference in my affairs,’ he said, his tone cold and unyielding. ‘You are a valued guest in this house but that does not entitle you to meddle.’
‘I apologise, Reuben.’ She reached forward and touched his arm but he shook her hand away. ‘You must know that I only have your very best interests at heart. You are the gentleman to whom everyone turns for leadership in this area.’
‘All the more reason to make Miss Aspen welcome. We must lead by example and not allow unsubstantiated rumours to spoil the lady’s reputation.’
‘Ah, but is she a lady in the accepted sense? That is what we have yet to decide.’
‘Youhave yet to decide. I already know.’ He pushed past her, keen to bring the interlude to a close. ‘And now you really must excuse me.’
Reuben and Chase strode off in the direction of the stairs, wondering what Sarah had hoped to achieve by such a clumsy ambush. He didn’t need to look back to know that she would be scowling at his retreating figure.
