Page 74 of A Single Thread of Moonlight

The lawyer smiled. “In a little over your head, are you, my dear?” he said indulgently, and you could see any suspicion he might have felt melting away in the face of an opportunity to put an uppity woman in her place. “Well, the law is a complicated business. I would be delighted to advise you, Miss Fox.”

I twisted my hands in my lap and peeped up at him shyly. “It is about my forthcoming marriage,” I said, voice trembling. “I expect soon to announce my engagement to a … rather prestigious suitor, from overseas.”

I let Fortescue’s brain chew on that for a moment. Prince Stefan’s visit to the area was no secret and I could see him putting the facts together with almost comedic transparency.

“I am something of an heiress,” I continued. “My father is an elderly man in poor health, and he has always relied on his solicitor to arrange our affairs – but it appears they have been sorely mismanaged. A country solicitor, you understand, soon to retire, not used to managing a large fortune. I’m afraid my father’s business interests have rather outgrown him. My father suggests I speak to someone about it – so that things might be in order before my marriage.”

“Of course,” Mr Fortescue assured me with great sympathy.

“And then, when Miss Cassandra mentioned how pleased her mother had always been with your work…” I trailed off.

The little lawyer puffed up proudly. “Dear Lady Scott-Holland,” he said turning to Cassie, “your mother is not only one of our most valued clients, but – if I may say so – a remarkable woman, yes, a truly remarkable woman.” The fanatical gleam in Mr Fortescue’s eye revealed we had found another of Helena’s devotees.

“She certainly is,” Cassie agreed.

Mr Fortescue turned back to me. “If it is not too indelicate to ask, Miss Fox, may I ascertain the scale of the fortune you are being asked to manage?”

“Oh, that I couldn’t say,” I said helplessly. “I know so little of these things. I believe my own inheritance is somewhere in the region of thirty thousand pounds, though of course there is money in the exchange and the shares in my father’s business as well.”

Mr Fortescue let out a sound like strangled cat, before clearing his throat. “I see,” he said unsteadily. “That is … quite the empire your father has built.”

“You see now why I have come to you. I find myself unsure where to place my trust with such an important and sensitive matter. As a young woman almost alone in the world” – I pinched my hand, allowing the gloss of unshed tears to pool in my eyes – “I am left feeling quite … helpless.”

Fortescue was looking at me with the expression of one who had seen a vision of his own incredibly rosy future.

“Forgive me,” I said, letting the tears fall. “It is all so overwhelming.” And I drooped slightly in my seat.

“Oh, no!” Cassie leaped to her feet and rushed to my side. “Serena! Serena, dear!” She turned to Mr Fortescue. “Miss Fox is of such a sensitive nature and her nerves are frequently overwhelmed. I believe she’s gone into a swoon.” I let out the sort of woozy sigh I imagined an habitual swooner would make.

“Naturally, naturally, a young woman of great sensibility!” Mr Fortescue jabbered, jumping to his feet. “How may I be of assistance?”

“A glass of water?” Cassie asked. “And perhaps some smelling salts if you can locate them?”

“I shall do my utmost,” Fortescue said. “My secretary will arrange things.”

“Perhaps, if you don’t mind,” Cassie said hesitantly, “a moment’s privacy? I may loosen her collar to help her breathe.”

Through a cracked eyelid I saw Fortescue turn a deep, mottled red. “Certainly,” he managed, backing out of the room. “Please, make yourself at home, I shall return shortly.”

As soon as he was safely out of the door I leaped to my feet. Cassie had fallen into a fit of the giggles and was shaking silently, her fist stuffed in her mouth.

“There’s no time!” I hissed, moving quickly over to the filing cabinets. “Keep a look out!”

“I’m sorry,” Cassie spluttered, “but really … his face when I mentioned loosening your collar! I can’t believe he fell for it.”

I flicked a quick smile at her. “I have found that some men’s low opinions of women can be used to great advantage if properly exploited.”

“Wonderful,” Cassie breathed.

I was busy riffling through the files. It wasn’t difficult to locate them; Mr Fortescue kept things neat as a pin.

“Here!” I exclaimed quietly, flicking through the documents. My father’s file was a large one and I was trying to locate the will.

“I think he’s coming back!” Cassie whispered.

There was no time to hesitate and I whipped out the entire file, lifting my skirts and thrusting it up under my bodice. It was quite bulky and I bent over, drawing my shawl around me.

When Mr Fortescue opened the door I was leaning heavily on Cassie’s arm.