She could hear Paul chuckling.She loved that he didn’t mind her officious nature.He was quite capable of correcting her if so inclined.But the banker bowed and led the way to his office, which suited them both.
“There is n-nothing wrong at the manor, is there?”Bosworth asked, indicating that they take seats in his much warmer, less intimidating office.He didn’t actually express concern but the bank handled part of the trust for what the heirs now called Priory Manor.He was interested.
“No, although as magistrate, Captain Huntley has authorized us to make inquiries.”Paul sat back in his leather chair and crossed his legs as if accustomed to special treatment by bankers.“The post isn’t being delivered until the bridge from Birmingham is repaired, so we thought it might be expedient to deal with this in person.You’ll be receiving a letter from him shortly, but we need to know answers as quickly as possible.”
Priory Manor was a very large part of the bank’s business, and rumor had it that the banker was a baseborn son of the last heir, so Bosworth paid attention and nodded.“I am at your disposal, of course.”
“A carriage crashed the other night, killing the driver, and leaving two young children abandoned.They can only tell us that their mother recently died after an illness, and it’s possible their father died in the war.They cannot tell us where the driver was taking them, although we suspect it was to an orphanage.”Paul gestured with his hat.“Our parish, of course, is too poor to support even a workhouse.We are hoping to find out more.”
Nice reminder that Bosworth contributed nothing to their funds.Minerva hid her grin.“They are beautiful children, well kept,” she told him.“We feel sure there must be respectable family who possibly have not heard of their mother’s death.They say they’re Turners from Beanblossom.Does this mean anything to you?”
Expressing no concern for the orphans, Bosworth sat back, pressed his fingertips together, and addressed the facts.“I b-believe there may be a cottage a mile or so out of town with that rather p-preposterous name.I do not think we have any accounts for a T-turner, but I have a vague memory from some years ago when the place was p-purchased.You might ask Mr.B-browning, the Priory’s solicitor.His firm handles most of the p-property transactions here.”
“Thank you, he and the rector are our next visits,” Paul said.“So you’ve heard of no recent deaths, small estates, anything of the sort?”
Bosworth shrugged.“None of which I’m aware.”
This was turning out to be a most distressing visit.How could a widow and her children simply disappear from public view?“The children have also mentioned a Mr.Clapper as a teacher at a small school, and the boy had a tailor, although he did not provide a name.Can you provide any information on anyone of that sort?”Minerva asked.
“T-teachers and t-tailors seldom carry accounts.I’ll ask my clerk, but do not hold out hope there.Now, if that is all...”He rose, indicating his generosity had ended.
“It seems we will have to stay all day to make these inquiries.”Minerva didn’t immediately rise.“That means we cannot go home until tomorrow.I don’t suppose you know of a respectable, inexpensive room we might take?The parish does not have funds to spare.”
Paul rose and held out his hand for her to take.“The captain said we were to put ourselves at your disposal, if that will not be an inconvenience.”
Minerva hid her smile.That put the final nail in the banker’s coffin.
Bosworth looked pained, hesitated, then finally offered, “I have room to p-put you up for the night.My father is at home, if you wish to leave your b-bags with the servants.He will arrange it.”
“That is most gracious of you, sir.”Minerva stood and settled her cloak about her.“Christmas is less than a week away.You should attend service with us.Patience has planned a lovely choral interlude.Not exactly Church of England but a chance to celebrate all we have been given this past year.We’d love to have you.”
“Thank you.You may tell me what you have found over d-dinner.Good day.”He bowed them out.
“Well, that was fun.”Minerva chortled as they returned to the street.“Do you think he is shy because of his stutter or just made of cardboard?”
“A little of both, no doubt.”Paul indicated a distinguished brown brick building across the busy main road.“Shall we stop with Mr.Browning before returning to the carriage and seeking the rectory?”
Mr.Browning, the lawyer, a vigorous man in his forties, had also visited the manor on different occasions and was much more receptive to their visit.When Paul gave him their story, he nodded and summoned a clerk to fetch a file.“Sad story.Mr.Turner purchased the property through a trust fund, if I remember rightly.When he died, he left a life estate to the property to his mistress.I hadn’t realized they weren’t married until she died and the estate reclaimed the property.”
He took a file his clerk handed him and opened it.“Yes, here it is.Beanblossom Cottage Trust.The file is confidential.I cannot reveal the owners or any other information.The cottage has been placed on the market for sale.”
“And the children?”Minerva asked in horror.
He frowned and studied his documents.“Mr.Turner’s will was written some time ago, apparently upon his coming of age.It does not mention a wife or even the trust.Admittedly, that is odd.Normally, the property would revert to the eldest son, but if there are no marriage documents or settlements...”He gestured to indicate this was the result.
Orphans...and abandoned by the family that should have taken them in, illegitimate or not.
Nine
Brydie
“I rather love havinga horse and carriage and riding out of the wind.”With Damien’s aid, Brydie’s sister climbed down to the manor drive from the barouche Damien had appropriated from a scoundrel who had robbed him of his inheritance.
“Be kind to your new friends and listen to Brydie.”Kate hugged her children, who had scampered down first.Then, carrying her sewing basket, she marched up the drive, leaving them in the inn yard.
“We should probably drive her up to the manor when the weather turns bad.”Damien helped Brydie out next.
“We are so used to walking, that we don’t think twice about it, as long as Lynly is kept warm.”She shooed the children toward the kitchen door, but Lynly lingered to feed the horses apples.“Have you chosen a room for your office?Arthur can help you haul furniture, if you’re ready.”
