Anna shook her head. “He never indicated that. He was always very parsimonious and said money was always tight.”
“Not at all. He amassed a great fortune, most of which is invested in The East India Company. And his instructions to us were to make certain his shares in the company were made available to the two of you should anything like this happen to him. Now, at the moment, that money is still invested in the company, but we can make it available to you if and when you instruct us.”
“Oh, dear… I have no idea what to do at this point. I am going to need some advice.”
“You should also know that there is an insurance policy that your father set up for you and that shall be made available to you within the next few days. He instructed that the proceeds be deposited directly into the family bank account.”
“Insurance?” Anna mumbled.
“One hundred thousand pounds. Of course, that is independent of your shares in the East India Company.” Lord Hargrove reached into his waistcoat pocket and pulled out a calling card. “You may contact me at any time if the two of you decide to liquidate any or all of your shares. I will always be at your disposal if you need me. And by the way, your shares are currently yielding around five thousand a year in interest. That too is deposited directly into your account.”
“You must forgive me, Lord Hargrove, I am feeling quite overwhelmed. I need to talk to my sister and begin to sort out what we shall do next.”
He stood. “Of course, I quite understand. And when the funeral or memorial service arrangements are made, I would greatly appreciate it if you would inform me. I know, I and a number of my colleagues, will wish to attend.”
Anna stood and took his hand. “You have been so kind, Lord Hargrove.”
He opened his case, took out several documents and handed them to her. “These are the documents you will need. And now, I shall show myself out. I am staying at the village inn until tomorrow morning if you wish to contact me before I go back to London.”
“Your Lordship,” Anna said, “I will walk with you to the door. Do you have a carriage?”
“I do.”
Lord Hargrove followed Anna to the drawing room door and as they left the drawing room Anna could see Warrick escorting Mr. Christopher inside.
Christopher looked up and greeted Anna. “What a lovely morning. Good day, Miss Anna. Is Dorothy in her chambers?”
Anna raised her finger, indicating for him to wait a moment. She escorted Lord Hargrove to his carriage and then returned to greet Christopher. She looked ashen and harrowed.
“Miss Anna, what is it? Has something happened?” he asked.
“Dorothy cannot see you right now. But might I ask you a great favor?”
“Of course. Just name it.”
“I very much need to speak to either Maria or Harry. It is most urgent. Could you please return to the Manor and ask one or both of them to come over? I cannot tell you why just now. But it is truly on an important matter.”
Christopher took a deep breath and wrung his hands. “I will go right now. Is there anything I can do for you before I leave?”
“Thank you, no.”
* * *
Christopher rode as fast as he could back to Creassey Manor. He left his horse in a groom’s hand and burst into the house and went directly to Harry’s study, but he was not there.
He returned to the front hall and called out, “Daniels? Maria? Anybody?”
Daniels appeared wearing an apron and without his coat. “Excuse me, sir. I was polishing silver. How can I help?”
“I need to find Harry or Miss Maria immediately. Do you know where either of them is?”
“I believe Miss Maria went into the village and I believe His Lordship is in the field with the vet.”
“Thank you. Thank you,” Christopher said. He ran out, retrieved his horse from the groom, and rode off to find Harry.
He spotted his friend in the pen with the vet and the quarantined cattle. He drew up his horse and he called out, “Harry, a moment please?”
Harry went over to the fence. “Yes, Christopher, what is it? You seem excited.”
