Chapter Two #2
Ramsey shifted his weight. Will had never invited him to sit, and standing was becoming delicate. “We’re looking into the fact the dowager duchess sends funds on a regular basis to an account in New York.”
“You’re working on trying to find out the account owner?” Will asked.
“Among other things. You’ve never questioned the fact your mother no longer uses family firms since your father’s demise?”
“No, I haven’t,” he replied. “You came all the way to London to tell me this?”
“Yes, I’m afraid so. That and your permission to see where all this leads. There are things we need to get done like finding out who your mother is sending money to.”
“I’m afraid I can’t give you my answer right now. I need to think about what you’ve just told me.”
Will was skeptical about everything now. The rumor had been going around since his father’s accident that he had not died.
“Very well, but don’t take too long.”
Will nodded. “I’ll take that under advisement. I’m afraid I have other matters to attend to, so I bid you safe journey on your way back to London.”
His guest took the comment as it was intended and left.
Will wondered if the man had been expecting more from their conversation.
He would send a letter to the family’s main contact and see what they had to say about this stranger.
If he even still worked for the firm. There were too many facts he didn’t know the answers to that piqued Will’s interest.
Will finally arrived at the dowager house. Fortunately for him, she never reprimanded him for being late. She understood what his position entailed.
“You’ve been well?” he inquired.
“Yes,” she replied.
“May I ask about matters that could potentially involve sensitive topics?”
She smiled. “Questions about your father?”
“In a matter of speaking,” he replied.
“Go ahead, if you must.”
“A gentleman claiming to be from our legal house came calling with some wild accusations. I find them quite hard to believe.”
“Such as?” the dowager asked as she poured two cups of hot tea.
“He claims Father is still alive and that you send money on a regular basis to someone. He thinks you know he’s alive and you’re the one funding him.”
Will was quick to show her the card he’d been given at the time of the meeting and some of the matters he claimed were in jeopardy.
“The man is obviously a fraud. He’s concocted a story with just enough truth to unsettle, but I assure you, there’s no basis to his claims.”
“I know that, but I wanted to make sure you knew in case he came calling,” Will replied.
“Your father couldn’t swim so how would he ever survive what happened that day? Not even I could save him.”
Will stood and moved closer to her. He hadn’t meant to upset her. “I didn’t come to unsettle you.”
The dowager nodded. “I know. It’s these outrageous rumors that upset me.”
“Have you thought any more to my suggestion of moving back into the manor?”
“Actually, I have been thinking about it. I haven’t been the best mother these past few years, and I’ve missed Jane and Nick growing up.”
“You could take that large bed chamber in the guest wing.”
“The one with the attached sitting room?”
Will nodded. “That’s the one. You can redecorate to make it yours.”
“It would be perfect and far easier to live in.”
Watching his mother pick up her teacup and take a long, thoughtful sip gave him hope she was reconsidering what had been a firm no since she’d fled the manor for the dowager house.
“You know Margaret is visiting Jane while her parents are away,” he said. “Margaret seems quite cheerful, and Jane is delighted to have her company. They’ve always been quite close. It’s good to see them both in such high spirits.
“I took Margaret riding. She certainly has grown up into a beautiful young woman. Smart too,” Will mentioned casually.
“Yes, she has. I’m surprised she doesn’t have every available gentleman lining up to court her.”
“Perhaps word hasn’t gotten out that she’s staying with Jane,” Will replied.
“A trip to London might be the answer.”
Something inside Will which had been sleeping all these years suddenly awoke. The idea of any other man touching Margaret in any fashion made him very protective of her. “Perhaps.”
The dowager smiled suddenly. “You have feelings for her, don’t you?”
“She’s Jane’s oldest friend. I know her well. I simply would hate for her to get hurt.”
“Yes, men can be cruel, but this is different coming from you,” she replied.
Will ran a hand through his hair, uncertainty flickering in his eyes as he searched for the right words. He hesitated, feeling the weight of the dowager’s gaze upon him, and finally looked away toward the window, the room unusually silent for a moment.
“Yes, I admit it. I have feelings for Margaret, and I believe she has these feelings for me. I kissed her and she seemed to enjoy it as much as I did.”
“I knew it. The two of you are perfect for each other. You are going to pursue her, aren’t you?”
He nodded. “Yes, Mother, I am.”
“Wonderful,” she said.
The room went quiet once again, the only sound heard was that of the dowager topping off teacups.
“William, I do have a favor to ask.”
“What’s that?” he replied.
“Has anyone ever been out to the lake house? Is it the way it was left after the fire?”
“I know Nick goes there from time to time. Outside of him I know of no one and yes, it’s the way it was. Why?”
“I would like a boat made ready so I can go out there. There is something your father left I need to see about,” she said.
“The fire destroyed everything.”
“I doubt this was destroyed. I would like to go there and see for myself. If you would take me out there once a boat is ready, I would forever be in your debt.”
“I would take you regardless,” he replied. The idea of being on the water, especially this small lake where his father died made him squeamish, but his mother was more important than that.
“Thank you. Let me know when we can go, and I promise to think seriously about moving back into the main house.”
“Don’t forget to keep your eyes open for people who don’t belong here.”
“I’ll inform my staff also,” she replied.
He kissed his mother on the cheek and prepared to leave.
Will took a steady breath, feeling the weight of the past pressing in on him.
Despite his apprehension about returning to the lake house, he decided he would face whatever memories lingered there for his mother’s sake.
The resolve settled within him, quiet but firm—he would see this through, no matter what awaited them, whatever it was his mother thought so important.
He would need to get through his fear of water.
“Do you think you could arrange dinner one evening? Gather everyone, including Margaret,” his mother said.
Will arched a brow. Was this an attempt to slowly rejoin the family? He wondered if her offer was more than just a gesture or a tentative step toward mending old fences and embracing what remained of their shared history. Whatever it was, after four years, he would take it.
“Certainly. Why don’t you send Cook a note and discuss a menu and dates with her. Just let me know what you decide,” Will said.
“That’s a marvelous idea,” she replied.
Will headed back to the manor house with a huge feeling of accomplishment. For once he was certain things were changing for the better.