“This is your tree?” Her surprise was as great as his.
Her surprise was as great as his. “It appears this tree played an important part in your youth as well as mine.”
They stood back and looked at their old friend. “There, by the second branch.” Juliet pointed to the place where the treasures would be. Ewan climbed the knotted roots, found the crevice, and reached into the hidden hollow. His hand brushed against the rough interior until he found what he was searching for. He pulled out a leather pouch, climbed down, and gave it to Juliet.
Her fingers traced Bradley’s embossed initials. She opened the pouch and found the fourth ace of hearts and a note in Bradley’s handwriting.Starling, Guard this with your life.
Chapter Thirty-Three
Ewan took thecard from her and examined it. “It’s the same as all the others, but I want to see them side by side. We may see more.”
With the precious pouch in hand, they turned back to the manor.
“What was Bradley afraid of that he had to hide this for me here? He didn’t even call me by name,”
“He’s protecting you yet giving you a mission. We will have a better idea once we can see the cards together.”
They entered the house, and Ewan led them to the drawing room where the others had gathered.
“We found the fourth ace of hearts,” Ewan said as Juliet placed it on the table. “Bradley left Juliet a message in his diary.” He opened a drawer in the writing table and took out the three cards he had.
He laid all the cards side by side. When arranged, the cards revealed a deliberate and telling pattern. Each card bore a unique mark, a subtle difference in the filigree design around the border that, when placed together, formed a coherent message—a map.
Ewan, Juliet, Lord Aurington, and Duncan gathered around the table. The intricate lines created the familiar outline of Aurington Park, leading to a destination none had expected. “That’s the estate office.”
“It’s almost time to prepare for the gala,” Lady Aurington said. “Perhaps we can do this in the morning. The office is only used to store documents. Your father conducts his business in his study.”
“No, dear. We cannot.” Lord Aurington was adamant.
“Father’s correct, Mother. If anything, we must uncover whatever Bradley left before the gala begins.”
The group moved with purpose, their footsteps echoing through the halls as they made their way to the estate office. The door creaked open to reveal a room steeped in the musty scent of paper and leather. There were shelves stacked with the annual estate ledgers. What light they had come through a shuttered window.
Ewan looked through the drawers while the others started to examine the ledgers.
“Here it is.” Ewan stood at the desk, holding a folded and sealed message bearing his name.
“You’ve worked hard to find this,” Ewan said to Juliet. “You open it.” He handed her the package.
Juliet carefully unfolded the paper, its edges creased from being meticulously folded into a compact shape. The wax seal bore the distinct impression of Bradley’s signet.
With hands that trembled ever so slightly, she broke the seal, It was addressed to her and dated the day of Bradley’s death, the handwriting unmistakably his.
My Dearest Juliet,
As I pen this letter, as evening draws near, and a chill that I fear may not be solely from the night. Today, I stumbled upon a truth that has shaken me to my core, and I must confide in you for your safety and the future of our family. The fear that grips me as I write these words is real, Juliet. I implore you to heed my warning.
It began harmlessly enough with the discovery of letters in our estate office—correspondence addressed to Ewan Glenraven among our accountant’s papers. When I questioned Reynolds, he assured me they were but exchanges between him and Ewan, another client. Wanting to see the best in him, I chose to believe his words. Yet, an invitation to a card game hosted by Sir Giles marked the start of my descent into a world of deception and greed.
You know well of my fortunes at the card table, the good fortune that could only be explained by luck with my every play. But that luck did not last. I soon found myself ensnared in losses that far outweighed my wins. Today, the man known as the Viper laid bare his demands for Monster Mound and the lands held by our family, and he would wipe out my debt. He was ignorant of the entail that protects them. His threats did not cease there. He produced vowels in my name that I never signed. Of course, I denounced them. He said Wickham did a good enough job in creating the documents that it would stand up. But there is more. I am ashamed, Juliet, to tell you that he spoke of you, of claiming your hand in marriage as a means to seize the Fairmont property. I implore you to stay away from him.
It seems that the viper’s venomous plans are not just aimed at our family’s holdings but are part of a grander scheme to bring about Ewan Glenraven’s downfall. This revelation came to light when he unwittingly revealed his intentions, speaking of Glenraven with a malice that could not be mistaken. The viper will stop at nothing, and his reach is limitless. I found evidence that he arranged to have Ewan assassinated while he was on assignment in Paris.
I made a further discovery. He is a member of the Order of Shadows, an elusive and dangerous organization known for its manipulation and deceit. Their influence stretches far and wide, and their intentions are shrouded in mystery, but make no mistake, their intent is to disrupt and gain power.
Today, in the quiet of our estate office, I have uncovered further evidence—messages from Mr. Hughes to Glenraven, urging him to return home to fulfill the obligations of his inheritance and to marry before the first of May. I have no idea what hold the viper has over Reynolds or why these messages are in his possession.
I cannot sit idly by with this knowledge. Tonight, I plan to confront the Viper with everything I have learned. I have the Ace of Hearts and sent them to those who need to know. I’ve kept one. The others have been sent to Enrico Quinto and Lord Aurington. This one is for you. If I am not here to see the dawn, know that I acted to protect our family and to expose the betrayal that threatens to consume us.
