George found Sir Cuthbert and they headed to his study.
“Cigar?” George offered, holding open the humidor.
“No thank you, Your Grace. My wife insists I cut back.”
Sir Cuthbert sat where George indicated, as George leaned back against the edge of the desk.
“Now, Sir. I should like to hear your side of Harold’s story.”
The gentleman adjusted himself in the chair, seeming to be a little nervous to speak, but he finally began by saying, “Most of what the young gentleman told you is true. Hewasfound and raised by the Bartletts, and hedidattend Eaton and Cambridge. However, it was reliably reported that he never graduated and was sent down after a disgraceful incident where he was accused of stealing another student’s valuable gold pocket watch. The watch was never found, but the young Harold was seen flush with cash and standing drinks all around at a rather seedy pub.”
“But it was never proven?” George asked.
“Not conclusively, that is true, but it is believed there were other incidents, as well, and that the university felt warranted in sending him down.”
“Is there more?”
“There is.”
“Proceed please.”
“It is also true that Harold was taken on as an apprentice in the family business, but he never reached a management position. First, the wife and then Mr. Bartlett died. Contrary to what Harold seems to have told you they did not leave the house or the business to the young man. And when he learned of what he considered to be a major slight, he ransacked the house, stole everything valuable he could get his hands on and disappeared.”
“How long ago did this happen?” George asked, tapping the edge of the desk with his fingers.
“I would say about six months ago.The Timesreported there was an investigation, but it led nowhere. There is no getting around the fact that the young manisclever and crafty. He must have disposed of what he stole, turned it into cash, laid low for a time and, it seems, turned up here.”
“And you say these claims can be verified?”
“I do, Your Grace. I would be happy to have the relevantTimesarticles sent to you.”
“Yes, I would appreciate that. Thank you.” George considered this startling new information and then said, “I would appreciate it, Sir Cuthbert, if you would keep this conversation strictly between just the two of us. I do not wish to alert Mr. Brighton to my discoveries until I have verified what you tell me, and I can devise a plan on how to deal with this devastating information. I do not want him to become panicked and cause us any harm.”
“I understand and will comply. And if I might suggest, I think I shall not stay the night as your guest but shall return immediately to London so that I may gather the verifiable proof you require. I also think it prudent, as I do not want to risk being recognized by Mr. Brighton. We met once or twice, but only briefly. However, he might associate me with Mr. Bartlett, and that might alarm him.”
“Most generous of you, Sir Cuthbert.”
Chapter 30
After the mourners had concluded delivering their condolences, her Grace decided she wished to retire to her chambers for a nap and asked Lucy to escort her. Judith seemed shrunken and lost as settled into her chair and asked Lucy to take the puppy outside. Lucy sighed and realized she was right back in her old position as an attendant to her Grace. She was willing to do this until things settled down, but she was not going to accept doing this on a permanent basis again, no matter how much her Grace might wish her to do so.
As she was coming back indoors with the puppy, Beaumont saw her and came over.
“Lovely service, think you not?”
“Yes, it was. But it has taken a terrible toll on the family. You must excuse me. I must return this dog to her Grace. She becomes very unsettled without the dog in her lap.”
“Hurry back. I should very much like to visit with you. I have a matter I wish to discuss with you.”
“Perhaps… unless her Grace requires my further attention.”
“I shall wait for you.”
Her encounter with Beaumont brought back her concern about her brother’s statement about the dowry. She could not understand how she could have misunderstood him. That led her to consider he might be having some business concerns he did not choose to share with her. In which case, it made sense.
She went into the Duchess’s chambers and returned Princess.
“Oh, my dear Lucy, what a godsend you have been to me today. I could never have gotten through this horror of a day if I only had Flossy. She is a dear, but quite useless at anything that really matters. She is fine repairing a dress, or fetching slippers, but she has no concept of my pain and agony.”
