A Debt From the Past (21 page)

The grandfather gave a mischievous grin and chuckled. ‘The pair of you have been a handful from the moment you were born. However, if you both refuse to come home, then I’m staying as well. I can help with this little problem you have, James. Though why the devil Edward asked you to deal with this, I really don’t know.’

‘My father,’ James said pointedly, ‘wanted this cleared up. A man should be made to pay for his evil deeds, even if he has got away with it for thirty years. And you stay out of it, Grandfather. It could be dangerous.’

‘Nonsense! No one’s going to hurt a confused old man. I can put on a good act when necessary, and people talk freely when they think you’re daft.’

‘Absolutely not!’

‘James –’ Dan spoke for the first time – ‘he has a point. We are at an impasse at the moment.’

‘There, you see: you do need me. Listen to Dan. He knows what he’s talking about.’

Alex was nodding agreement, and James raised his hands in surrender. ‘I’m outnumbered. We’ll discuss it after dinner.’

‘Good.’ The grandfather turned to Beth and Helen, a look of satisfaction on his face, and held out his arms for them to hold. ‘Come on – I’m starving. I hope you’ve got a good cook.’

When it became clear that the men had no intention of discussing the recent events in front of them, Beth and Helen reluctantly retired to their own sitting room. It had been a tense dinner that evening, and if it hadn’t been for Dan keeping the conversation flowing, it would have been a silent one as well. They were enjoying a cup of tea and laughing about the tussle they had witnessed between the elderly man and his grandsons when there was a tap on the door.

It opened immediately and Alice swept in looking flustered and angry. ‘Elizabeth! I am so sorry you have had to put up with yet another member of my family. I really didn’t believe my father would make such a long journey at his age. I returned as soon as I heard the news. Where is the old fool?’

‘He’s in the library with his grandsons and Daniel.’ Beth led her to a chair. ‘Sit down and have a cup of tea. You look exhausted.’

‘Oh, that would be welcome, and perhaps a touch of brandy wouldn’t come amiss.’

Beth poured the tea while Helen handed her a brandy.

The brandy disappeared in two large gulps, and Alice grimaced. ‘I don’t usually drink spirits, but hearing that my father has arrived and will certainly interfere is enough to make anyone turn to drink. Tell me what havoc he has caused since he arrived.’

Beth and Helen took turns in relating everything, and they couldn’t stop laughing when they told Alice that her father had hidden all the keys to his room so they couldn’t lock him in. Their account of the fight before dinner had Alice shaking her head in dismay.

‘You are both very kind to take this so well, but –’ she stood up – ‘I had better go and act as referee or they will tear each other apart.’

‘No, they won’t.’ Helen made her sit down again. ‘They were on amicable terms during dinner. I think James is going to let him help with their problem – whatever it is.’

‘What?’ Alice surged to her feet again. ‘That would be a disaster! Oh, my dears, I’ve got to get you away from here. Start packing. We’ll leave for London in the morning.’

‘I can’t do that,’ Beth told her, and she explained about the problem with some of their buyers. ‘That must be dealt with, or we might not be able to sell our harvest this year.’

‘Yes, of course you must stay.’ Alice rubbed her temples wearily. ‘But why isn’t James dealing with this?’

‘The buyers know me, and have done since I was little, so we thought they might be more willing to talk to me.’

‘That’s sensible, but you mustn’t go alone, Beth. If this has happened because James is stirring up trouble, you must have a man with you.’

‘Dan is coming with me.’

‘Ah, that’s all right, then. He’ll know how to handle the problem. He doesn’t intimidate people. Now, I had better go and pick up the pieces. Heaven knows what mad schemes they are hatching together.’

It wasn’t long before they heard raised voices, and they went on to the landing to see what was happening. Alice and her father were coming up the stairs, arguing fiercely.

‘You can stop shouting at me, Father; it won’t make any difference. You are going to bed – now!’

‘If you’re going to order me around like this, then I’m sorry I sent for you to come back here. Helen was looking after me well enough.’ He gave a throaty chuckle. ‘Even had the nerve to lock me in my room. Fine girl.’

‘I thank you for the compliment, sir.’ Helen stepped down to help him up the last few steps. Despite all his protestations, he was obviously very tired.

‘You shouldn’t be eavesdropping, girl.’

‘I didn’t need to. I should think the entire estate can hear you,’ Helen remarked. ‘And Alice is right. You should have been in bed ages ago.’

‘Humph! Now I’ve got two of you ordering me about.’ When they reached Beth, he winked at her. ‘Fine table you have here, girl. Thank your cook for a very enjoyable meal, and tell her I’ll have some of that fine ham for breakfast with two lightly fried eggs. I suppose it’s too much to ask if you have any porridge.’

‘That I can’t promise, but I’m sure Cook will do her best for you. Sleep well.’

He nodded and allowed himself to be guided to his room.

Hearing her name called, Beth looked over the banister and saw the men standing at the bottom of the stairs. Alex was mopping his brow in mock relief, James was looking grim, and Dan’s expression was – as usual – unreadable.

James looked up and beckoned her down.

Puzzled, she descended the stairs and followed him into the library. Alex and Dan didn’t come with them.

James was silent for a while, gazing out at the moonlit garden, and then he turned. ‘Things appear to have got out of hand. It wasn’t my intention to cause you all this trouble. My father left me certain instructions. I was to move in here while I carried out my investigation.’

When she opened her mouth to speak, he held up his hand to stop her and then continued. ‘On no account was I to tell you what I was doing here. You were only to know that I was your temporary guardian, and you – and everyone else – were to believe that. My father loved you dearly and made me promise that no harm would come to you.’ He grimaced. ‘I had believed that if I came here, took over and kept you in the background, all would run smoothly. Then, when I had successfully kept my promise, I could leave and you would be none the wiser. However, the man we are trying to prove committed a serious crime years ago has become suspicious of us and he is beginning to retaliate. If this problem with the buyers is his doing, then let Dan handle it. He knows what he’s doing.’

When he paused, she said quickly, ‘Dan told me he’d known Edward, but my godfather never mentioned him.’

‘They worked together at times – and don’t ask, Elizabeth; I can’t tell you more than that.’ James walked over and stood right in front of her, his expression serious. ‘I want you to know I will never break a promise, and my promise to you is that I will tell you the whole story once this is over.’

She nodded, took a deep breath and said, ‘Thank you. Perhaps you could answer one question for me?’

‘Ask.’

‘My godfather appears to have made extensive arrangements before going to India. Did he know he might not be coming back?’

‘His health was failing, Elizabeth, and he knew that the journey would be a strain for him.’

‘Then why did he go?’ she asked, upset by this news. ‘I would have looked after him!’

‘Of course you would, but he had urgent business to deal with and he wanted to handle it himself. Unfortunately, he didn’t live long enough. His estate is being wound up and I have a representative out there now. It was his request that the business be sold, along with everything else – except his house. Now, I’ve made you a solemn promise, and I want you to make one. Promise me that when the trouble with the buyers is sorted out, you and Helen will go to London with Alice.’

‘I promise,’ she said, and she meant it. He had been as forthcoming as he was able to be at this point, and she had gained a glimpse of what he was up against. Her godfather had left his son a heavy burden.

‘Thank you.’ He smiled. ‘We’ll try and keep Grandfather from causing too much mayhem while he’s here.’

‘That might be difficult,’ she laughed. ‘See if you can find out where he’s hidden the keys to his room, if you can.’

‘We’ll do that. Goodnight, Elizabeth. Sleep well.’

‘I think I might. Thank you for talking to me, James. I’ll let you know what happens tomorrow with the buyers.

‘Trust Dan.’

‘I do.’ She smiled, knowing that was true. The more she got to know Daniel Edgemont, the more she liked him. ‘Goodnight, James.’

The next morning Beth and Dan made an early start, intent on catching the largest buyers before they began work for the day and disappeared somewhere. The first one they visited was John Masters, the main supplier of grain in the area. Beth had known John and his family since she was a small child, and she was anxious to find out what had gone wrong with their long-term business arrangement.

When they arrived, the door was opened by Hannah Masters. ‘Oh, I’m so glad you’re here, Miss Langton. I told John it isn’t right what he’s doing and he should’ve come to you straight away. But he wouldn’t listen to sense. Come in.’

Mrs Masters led them into the kitchen where her husband was just finishing his breakfast. He stood up quickly, eyeing Dan with suspicion.

‘I know why you’re here, and I’m sorry, but I haven’t got a choice. I’ve got to think of my family, so it’s no good you bringing a strong man to persuade me otherwise!’

Beth was shocked by his outburst. What was going on? ‘We are not here to put any pressure on you, Mr Masters. You have every right to buy from someone else, and we are only here to find out if we have let you down in some way. If our grain is not of the usual high quality, then we need to know, so we can do something about it. This is Mr Daniel Edgemont, a friend of mine.’

‘Tell Miss Langton, John,’ his wife demanded. ‘You owe her that at least after all these years. Sit down, both of you. Would you like some breakfast?’

‘No, thank you.’ Beth smiled as they sat down, relieved to see that Hannah Masters wanted her husband to talk to them.

‘Doesn’t say much, does he?’ John was still uneasy about Dan being there.

‘He speaks when he has something to say.’ Beth cast Dan an amused glance and then turned her attention back to John Masters. ‘But I would trust him with my life, and you can as well. Now, will you tell me what is wrong?’

He ran a hand through his thinning hair and sighed deeply. ‘It seems you have an enemy. A couple of weeks ago two tough-looking men visited me. Never seen them before. They said I wasn’t to buy from the Langton estate any more. When I told them to bugger off – pardon my language, Miss Langton – they began telling me the names of all our children and grandchildren. They said that if I wanted them to stay healthy, I had better do as they say. Well, what was I to do?’

‘I understand.’ Beth was furious but fought not to show it. ‘Did they say who had sent them?’

‘Not exactly, but they did say I could buy my supplies from the Gresham estate.’

Beth drew in a deep breath. So this
was
connected to James. ‘Do you know if others have been threatened?’

He nodded. ‘They seem to have targeted the largest suppliers.’

‘Dan?’ Beth frowned. ‘This is outrageous. Innocent people are being hurt and it can’t be allowed.’

‘It will be dealt with.’ Dan surged to his feet. ‘Mr and Mrs Masters, thank for talking to us. I will see that you have no more trouble from these men.’

‘I don’t know what you can do, sir, but we’d be mighty relieved to be free from this threat. We’ve all dealt with the Langton estate for a long time. Not only because we consider them friends, but because their produce is the best quality. They’ve always dealt fairly and honestly with us.’

‘If these men should come again, let them believe you are heeding their threat, but would you tell the others concerned that I will see the intimidation is stopped?’

‘Thank you for your time,’ Beth said. ‘I will let you know what happens, and please don’t do anything to endanger your family.’

Once outside, Beth turned to Dan and caught his arm, her stomach churning. Her life up to now had been protected and peaceful. She had never come across anything like this before, and it was frightening. ‘How can you promise there won’t be any more trouble? I’m now sick with worry for these families. How can this man be stopped?’

‘I will persuade him that this is not a good idea.’ Dan helped Beth on to her horse and then swung into the saddle with fluid ease.

‘Is that possible?’

‘Well, let’s see if he’s at home, shall we?’

His calm, confident manner heartened Beth. James had told her to trust Dan, and she would do that. She nodded, and they turned their horses in the direction of the Gresham estate.

They rode in silence, and the first time Dan spoke was when they reached the Gresham mansion. ‘Leave the talking to me, Elizabeth.’

‘Gladly,’ she replied, having no idea how he intended to handle this, but more than happy to let him take charge.

Grooms ran over to take their horses. Then the main door opened and Sir Peter Gresham appeared.

‘Miss Langton. If you wished to visit my sister, I’m sorry, but she has returned to London. The country is too quiet for her.’

Beth smiled politely. ‘I hope your sister is in good health, but we have come to see you.’

‘How thoughtful of you. Do you have a new estate manager?’ he asked, eyeing Daniel with interest. ‘Have we met before?’

‘No,’ Beth shook her head when Dan didn’t answer the question. ‘Mr Edgemont is a friend of the family.’

Dan stepped forward, dwarfing Gresham. ‘Our apology for calling unexpectedly, but a grave situation has arisen, and we felt you should know about it. May we ask for a few moments of your time?’

‘That sounds serious. Please come in; you must be thirsty after your ride.’

Gresham looked as if the last thing he wanted to do was invite them in, but Dan had asked so politely that he must have felt he couldn’t refuse.