“Of course,” Charlie said. “She’s doing the same for me with my father’s letter and book.”
“I didn’t know your father, but I will be forever grateful to him for his tenderness toward my sister when she was, unknown to all of us, drowning in loneliness and rejection. Your father was a remarkable gentleman.”
“He was.” Charlie might not have known everything about his father, but he knew that much was true. “And apparently, he once pounded the previous Mr. Finley to something of a pulp. Seems we’re carrying on a family tradition.”
“A tradition I am honored to be included in.”
They reached Finley Grange, nine pairs of set shoulders, nine pairs of focused and determined eyes. Philip knocked on the door. The butler answered.
“We’re here to see Mr. Finley,” Philip said.
The bewildered servant eyed the gathering. “All of you?”
Crispin nodded. “Our business with him is of a very pressing nature. So if you think he’ll slither off if told we’re all here, we’d appreciate you keeping the details of our arrival to a minimum.”
That the butler nodded his immediate agreement spoke volumes of what little loyalty Finley inspired in his staff. He, no doubt, mistreated them the way he did most everyone else. They were shown inside and led to a finely furnished but uninviting drawing room.
The avenging angels made themselves at home, some lounging at their leisure in chairs, a couple leaning against the fireplace mantel. Charlie sat on the window seat, his eyes focused on the drawing room door, waiting for the arrival of their query.
“I recognize the look in your eye, Charlie,” Jason said. “You really aren’t allowed to murder him.”
Charlie shrugged. “I know the local squire. He’ll take my side.”
Philip had recently reclaimed that role. He shook his head in amused understanding. None of them meant to resort to physical violence if it could be helped.
Footsteps approached. They all turned in that direction, though those sitting didn’t rise, and those leaning didn’t stand up straight. No one looking on could possibly have mistaken the utter lack of respect felt for the man who sauntered inside in the next moment.
“I understand I have visi—” Finley’s smirk of self-satisfaction froze. His gaze swept over all of them. After a moment, he recollected himself. “What brings the lot of you around here?”
They’d all agreed to follow Philip’s lead, so everyone waited to let him begin.
“We came to make certain you weren’t deteriorating too quickly,” Philip said. “One hears so many concerned whispers.”
Finley’s brow pulled in. “Whispers?”
Philip looked to Layton, assuming an expression of pity. “He’s even repeating things. The situation is worse than we realized.”
“Poor man.” Layton clicked his tongue. “Dr. Scorseby should be called for.”
“I haven’t time for your ridiculousness.” Finley turned as if to leave.
Linus had moved to stand in the doorway, blocking the man’s retreat. “Make time.”
“Who are you?” Finley asked in insultingly dismissive tones.
“Linus Lancaster. Former lieutenant in the Royal Navy. Brother-in-law of the infamous Duke of Kielder. Righter of wrongs. Dispenser of justice.”
“Lancaster?” Finley said. “Your youngest sister—”
“Is not the topic of this conversation.” Charlie spoke firmly as he rose to his feet.
Finley looked back at them all. Whatever uncertainty he might be feeling was tucked behind an air of condescension and arrogance. “I suppose one of you will decide to tell me whatisthe topic of this conversation.”
Crispin stepped away from the fireplace and strode with slow, purposeful steps toward Finley, never looking away from him. “The topic is your ailing health, your decreasing ability to go about in public and interact with... anyone. We’ve come because we are concerned about you.” Nothing in Crispin’s tone was solicitous. It was hard and unyielding.
Finley, no doubt, knew what they were actually discussing. Gentlemen did not bandy ladies’ names about. When matters such as these were settled, both parties abided by that part of the gentleman’s code. Both accepted the necessity of speaking in ciphers.
Corbin strode to where Crispin stood. Their quietest brother broke his usual silence with a firm and intense declaration. “The area around Havenworth is also no place for a man of... failing health.”
