Chapter 21

CHAPTER 21

A dam knew that going to London would prove difficult.

He was not a fool. He knew what those there thought of him, which was precisely why he had avoided it for so long. It had been bad enough having to return to England, but setting foot in London was another matter entirely. That had been precisely why he wanted Beth to join him, even if she hadn’t already expressed a desire to do so. He needed to be beside someone that made things bearable.

He knew that events would become important eventually, but after all that had happened to them he saw it differently. There was no longer any need to keep up appearances for a year, because as far as he was concerned that year no longer held any significance to him. The deal was that they would go their separate ways if they wished, but he no longer wanted that, and he was quite certain that she felt the same. He hadn’t asked as much yet, but he knew it to be true.

He hoped it was the case, at least.

“How are you feeling?” He asked as they approached.

“Well,” she replied, “I am feeling very well indeed. It has been so long since I saw everything here, and I do not quite know what I shall want to do first.”

“We shall have time to do it all, if you wish.”

“As tempting as that is, I am also aware that we have a purpose here. We must find a replacement.”

“An excellent point, but wouldn’t you rather take some time for ourselves?”

“Once the matter of the solicitor is settled, yes, but until then I cannot see it being anything more than a distraction. Then again, the longer we take to find the right person for the role, the longer I can stay here.”

“Is that what you would want?”

He looked at her expectantly as she decided on her response.

“Had you asked me that a few mere weeks ago, I might have said yes. Now, however, I think of our tenants, and the village, and your sisters, and I do not wish to leave them for too long.”

“Then we shall find our solicitor, attend this ball, and then return. Should you change your mind once more, however, you need only tell me.”

“I do not believe that I will. You do not like it here, and I wouldn’t want you to be somewhere you do not like for longer than necessary.”

“I may well enjoy my time here if it spent with you, you know.”

She laughed, and he did not dare press the matter further. He was thinking fantastical things about their time there, and he was determined to make Beth see it the same way, but that was only for a moment before he truly thought about it. They were there, as Beth said, to find a solicitor and attend anevent. There were other matters to attend to at home, and if she was able to come and go then he would be too, especially given that he, in truth, did not wish to be there at all.

His London estate was the bane of his existence, but it had not been neglected nearly as much as his other home. Beth seemed more at ease there than she had done the first day she arrived at their home, which made him feel better about not having done anything to it beforehand.

“How are you going to go about all of this?” Beth asked, “Finding a solicitor, I mean.”

“It is quite simple. I have advertised that I am in want of one, and should it work as well as the one that brought me to you, we shall be done by this evening.”

She liked this response, and hurried away to change her gown after their journey.

Adam had already received three enquiries about the position, and he felt good about it. He had found the perfect wife easily, even if Grounton had thought it all to be a terrible idea, and so what was the harm in doing it a second time?

After his first interview, he realized just what that harm could be.

He had been useless, having no experience and hardly any way of knowing what to do. He was not good enough at all, and so Adam thanked him for his time and sent him on his way. He shook it from his mind, declaring it was a bad start, but it did not mean the others would be the same.

The steward brought the second candidate in, a Mister Harold Pritchard. He seated himself without even shaking Adam’s hand.

Harold Pritchard, the aspiring solicitor, looked quite out of place. His suit, though neat, was slightly ill-fitting, and his fingers fidgeted endlessly, a clear sign that he was unnerved by the situation.

“So, Mr. Pritchard,” Adam began, “Tell me about your experience in legal matters. What qualifies you to handle the affairs of my estate?”

Harold cleared his throat and sat up straighter to appear in control, though his nervousness betrayed him. Adam knew at once that this man was not the right one, but he decided to give him a chance.

“Well, My Lord,” he replied, his voice trembling slightly, “I have… dabbled in legalities here and there. I’m quite handy with contracts. Very straightforward things, those.”

“Dabbled, you say? Do elaborate.”

“I have done it all from time to time.”

“But have you managed any significant cases or worked for other titled families?”

Harold blinked rapidly, as though caught off guard by the question.

“Significant cases? Ah, well, I once resolved a dispute over a chicken, My Lord.”

“A chicken?”

He would have laughed, were he not so utterly bewildered.

“Yes! It was quite the ordeal. The farmer claimed it wasn’t his, but the feathers– well, they told another story entirely. I sorted it all out, though. The farmer kept the chicken, though the feathers were inconclusive. But it’s the thought process that counts, wouldn’t you agree?”

Adam stared at him in silence. The clock on the mantel ticked loudly in the ensuing pause. He had to think of something to ask him, but there was nothing. He simply sat and stared at the man, who clearly seemed to think he was doing very well.

“I see,” he said at last, “And what do you know of estate law, managing land rights, tenant agreements, or navigating inheritance complexities?”

“Hm? Oh, land rights! Yes, I read about those once. Quite intricate, aren’t they? As for tenant agreements, I imagine one simply tells them what to do. You are the earl, after all.”

“One tells them what to do?” He asked incredulously, “Mister Pritchard, an estate solicitor must understand the nuances of the law. A misstep could result in financial ruin, or worse, legal entanglements.”

Harold visibly shrank into his seat.

“I see, My Lord. I assure you, I am... a fast learner!”

The Earl sighed deeply and rose from his chair, walking to the door and gesturing to it. There was no saving it, and he knew that, and so there was no use trying.

“I fear, Mister Pritchard, that my estate requires more than enthusiasm and... dabbling.”

“But, My Lord, surely everyone deserves a chance to prove themselves?”

“That they do, sir. And I believe you might find yours elsewhere. My steward will see you out.”

Harold hesitated, his lips twitching as though he were about to argue, but Adam’s dismissive nod ended the conversation. Shoulders slumped, he walked towards the door.

“I can see why you aren’t well liked here.” He muttered.

Adam watched him go, shaking his head in quiet disbelief. He had known some men not to be the best when receiving a rejection, but that comment had been unnecessary as far as he was concerned.

“Have the next candidate brought in,” he said to his steward a while later, “And ensure this one understands the distinction between poultry and property law.”

“The first two were not so good, then?” Beth asked, appearing in the doorway.

“They were interesting, I must say. They were definitely not solicitors, though. Perhaps they would have done better as court jesters.”

She chuckled softly, leaning against the door.

“In which case, perhaps we might take some time away from this tomorrow? A walk might be precisely what you need after handling such men. We could promenade in the park, perhaps?”

“Beth, that might not be the sort of thing that you wish to do with me.”

“Of course it is. Who else should I promenade with but my husband?”

“That isn’t what I mean, I-”

“Your third candidate is here, My Lord,” the steward said suddenly, entering through the open door.

“Ah,” Adam said quickly, “Well, I-”

“I shall see myself out,” Beth said gently, “Here is hoping this one is good, Adam. We can discuss everything else in the morning.”

She left, and Adam prepared for his final meeting. The man who entered the study, one Mister Lionel Graves, presented himself with a confident stride which Adam had to admit was a better start than the last. He greeted him properly, too, which proved very promising indeed.

“My Lord,” Lionel said smoothly, “It is an honor to be here.”

“Mister Graves,” Adam replied, gesturing for him to sit, “I am seeking a solicitor with experience, competence, and a sharp mind. What can you offer in that regard?”

“My lord, I have worked in the field of law for some time. While I cannot claim to have handled an estate of this magnitude, I assure you that I am more than capable. I pride myself on improvisation.”

The Earl frowned, the first warning clear. Given that he was the final man he would see that night, he truly did hope it had been the wrong choice of words and nothing more.

“Improvisation?”

“Indeed,” Lionel continued, undeterred, “For example, I once represented a client who was misunderstood by his creditors. They claimed he owed an obscene sum, but with a bit of creative thinking, I had the debt dismissed.”

“Dismissed? How so?”

Lionel had a smirk on his face that unsettled Adam.

“Technicalities, My Lord. An error in paperwork here, an overlooked clause there. It’s all about finding the loopholes.”

“And did your client, in fact, owe the debt?”

“Technically, yes. But the law is about interpretation, wouldn’t you agree?”

Adam thought about Mister Grounton, and how his same thoughts had led him to betrayal. He could not allow himself to risk that a second time.

“I would not. I require a solicitor who upholds the integrity of the law, not one who manipulates it to suit his own ends, or those of his clients.”

“Of course, My Lord, and I would never suggest otherwise. I assure you, my methods are always discreet, and I am yet to have had a single accusation otherwise.”

“Discretion is of little value without honesty. Tell me, Mister Graves, have you ever handled matters of estate law directly? Any inheritance disputes, tenant negotiations, or land acquisitions?”

Lionel cleared his throat, shifting uncomfortably in his chair. His confident demeanour had vanished quickly, and Adam knew that there was no hope for this one, either.

“Not directly, My Lord. But I am a quick study.”

Adam rose from his seat, signaling the end of the conversation.

“I have no doubt about that, Mister Graves. Unfortunately, I require more than quick thinking and improvisation. Good day.”

And so, after his three chances, he was no closer to finding a solicitor than when he began. All things considered, perhaps his wife was correct.

Perhaps a promenade was not such a terrible idea after all, even if it was one through London.