Chapter Thirty-Four
The funeral for Timothy Bloodworth was one that would be talked about for years to come, Leyton Barrett mused as he stared at the flower-draped white casket. No expense had been spared. The church was overflowing with flowers and the pews were filled with well-dressed important people.
Bloodworth’s aged parents and his three younger sisters sat in the front row. The service was long, but that was to be expected, since the Bloodworth family had been one of the first to settle in the area and had gained considerable wealth and power in the last hundred years.
When the service was over, Leyton made apologies for Bryony’s absence, saying she was too grieved by her loss to attend. The lie stuck in his throat.
He had gathered the family and was about to leave when a tall, thin man with hollow cheeks tapped him on the shoulder. “Mr. Leyton Barrett?”
“Yes.”
“I’m Joseph O’Connor, Lord Bloodworth’s solicitor.”
Barrett stared at the man, an icy chill slithering down his spine. News of Bloodworth’s death by a person or persons unknown had spread through the surrounding area like wildfire. The motive remained a mystery, since nothing had been stolen. The investigation into his death was ongoing.
“I hate to bring this up at such an inopportune time,” O’Connor said. “But could we possibly meet in my office one day next week at your convenience? I am in the process of settling Lord Bloodworth’s estate.”
“Yes, of course.”. Damn. Bloodworth was out to get him from the grave.
“It shouldn’t take long.”
Barrett inclined his head, unable to speak for the panic surging through him. In the worry over Bryony, he had pushed all thought of the Bloodworth debt out of his mind.
“Good day to you, sir.”
Leyton nodded absently. Damn, damn, damn. What was he going to do now? He forced a smile as Maida came up beside him. “Who was that man?”
“We’ll talk about it later,” Leyton said. “Veronica, Eli, let’s go home.”
Leyton waited until after dinner to take Maida aside. As succinctly as he could, he told her about the loan and his inability to repay it.
“Sell the house?” she said, her voice barely audible. “Where would we go?”
“I don’t know.”
“How could you invest such an exorbitant sum?”
“I was a fool. I know that now. But, dammit, Jonas was a friend of mine. I trusted him.” He heaved a sigh. “I have a meeting with Bloodworth’s solicitor next week. Perhaps I can convince him to extend the loan, or perhaps accept a partial payment.”
“And if you can’t?”
Leyton shook his head. He wouldn’t go begging to Stefan for help until he had exhausted every other possibility.