“Very well. First, I suggest you speak to the bankers. They are entrusted with the management of your stocks and funds. They are in a much better position to advise you than I am.”
“And that is where I am now headed.” But Thomas had a further question. “Might there be some wrongdoing in this mess? And, if there is, are you able to help me with legal action if it is necessary?”
“We can certainly advise you as to that. But first, you need to uncover the extent of any wrongdoing and hopefully find out who might be responsible.”
* * *
Thomas went directly to his next appointment at Hargrove, Smyth and Phillips private banking. Mr. Phineas Hargrove was his personal banker.
“Welcome, Your Grace. Most happy to see you, Sir. Please come into my office,” Mr. Hargrove ushered Thomas inside.
“I am so happy you contacted us, I have been meaning to write you about your financial situation. But I see you are aware of the problem and have come to speak to me about it.”
Mr. Hargrove was a rather handsome and well-kept man for his age of sixty. He was the founder of the bank and dealt exclusively with Thomas’s father before his death.
“My first question for you, Your Grace, is why have you been making so many stock transactions in the past year or so? You had a very stable investment portfolio, but it has deteriorated significantly.”
“That is exactly my point, Mr. Hargrove—I have not been makinganytransactions at all. And it is only recently that I have become aware of the grave shortfall in our income. And I was led to believe it was because of a failure in our West Indies investments. Is that not the case?”
“I see.” Hargrove examined his ledger quite closely now. “Someone has been creating this activity. Do you have any idea… Oh, wait a minute, I think I understand. Prior to your coming of age, your Uncle Mowbray was your guardian, was he not?”
“That is correct.”
“Well, it seems he was never removed as the executor of these accounts. The only thing that makes any sense is that he has continued to act on your behalf. Might that be the case?”
Thomas was ashamed to admit it was so. “Well… I have been rather lax in my duties to the estate and I remember Uncle saying he was continuing to look after the accounts for me until I was ready to take charge.”
“But you came of age many years ago. Do you mean to say you have not taken charge until now?” Mr. Hargrove said with a certain amount of censure in his voice.
“I have not, and I have only myself to blame for that oversight. I found my freedom as the new Duke was heady, and I enjoyed the privileges over the responsibilities.”
“I see,” Mr. Hargrove said, adjusting his pince-nez and closing the ledger. “Then I trust you will be setting things straight quite soon?”
“And we can start immediately by removing all account privileges from my Uncle. He is not to have access to any of my business from here on out—effective immediately.”
“Most wise. And you might consider taking a look at your investment portfolio and getting it in order.”
“I intend to. Thank you for your time, Mr. Hargrove.”
“Please let me know how I can assist you further should the need arise,” he said standing.
* * *
Thomas’s next appointment was with the bank where his grandmother had her account. She had asked him to fetch some trust documents for her and to ask for the most recent balance statement on her account.
Thomas’s mind was on his own financial situation when he arrived at her bank. He went to the manager’s office and requested an interview and was promptly shown into his office.
“Andrew Burk, at your service, Your Grace. And how may I help you today?” the short man with an imposing mustache asked.
“I am here for my grandmother, Augusta Mowbray. She wishes me to fetch some documents for her and she wishes a copy of her most recent account statement.”
“Of course. Are you a signer on her account?”
“I am.”
Mr. Burk went to his shelf and pulled out a large master ledger.
“One moment please.” He examined the book and, found what he was looking for, looked up at Thomas, appearing to be puzzled.
