In the Lion's Den Read online

  Laughing, Lord Reginald shook his head rather vehemently. ‘I’m sure. Why does this matter to you, Jane? You are being quite intense about this.’

  ‘Did he say, “This is my nephew”, or did George introduce him by name?’

  ‘Both. He said this is my nephew, James Falconer.’ Again Reggie asked, ‘Look, why does this matter so much?’

  ‘Because James Falconer is Henry Malvern’s right-hand man. He’s been working for him since Alexis went to Vienna to be treated by Dr Sigmund Freud.’

  Lord Reggie was silent. After a moment, he took out a cigarette and a match flared. He smoked for a moment or two, then asked, ‘Is she afraid of him? Or has she fallen for him?’

  ‘Neither, in my opinion. I believe she dislikes him, looks down on him. Certainly she was derogatory when she spoke to me about him today. She thinks he’s an opportunist. She’s using him as a reason why her father no longer needs her help.’

  ‘I see.’ Reginald, a genius in the world of business and perceptive about people, took a moment before he addressed the matter. ‘I have a feeling that James Falconer is a very decent man, if his uncle is anything to go by. I am quite sure he is ambitious – and what’s wrong with that? He obviously wants to move up in the world. I bet he has been a godsend to Malvern.’ He blew smoke into the air and said, ‘I’m afraid our friend has been something of a fool. Sitting around here mooning … for a dead man.’

  ‘I agree, Reggie. However, I don’t know how to handle this situation with Alexis any more.’

  ‘She needs a shock … we have to shock her into coming to her senses. I’ll put my thinking cap on.’ Looking hard at his beautiful, sensible wife, he continued, ‘Now I want to ask you a question, Jane.’

  ‘I will answer you if I can.’

  ‘What do you think about Alexis’s view of James Falconer? I know you’ve not met him, but I’ve described his manners, his voice, his general appearance. Be honest with me.’

  A reflective look came across her face and settled there. She said, ‘I think Alexis might have felt a pull towards him, regretted that emotion, and grown afraid of him. Alexis ran.’

  ‘And perhaps she felt guilty regarding Sebastian?’

  ‘Maybe,’ Jane agreed, and pursed her mouth. ‘She was rather strong about his background; she called him a poor boy and mentioned that he’d worked on the stalls.’

  ‘That’s just the snob in her coming out. But truthfully, in my opinion, a relationship between them is out of the question.’

  ‘Don’t you think she’s got to take her responsibilities seriously, Reggie? You’ve got to persuade her to go back and help her father, learn how to run the Malvern Company. It’s her legacy.’

  Jane was silent, thinking for a moment. After a pause she said softly, ‘I love Alexis. I want to help her, get her better. You know that, don’t you?’

  ‘I certainly do. I feel the same, Jane. I really do.’

  ‘What if she remains stubborn, won’t budge?’

  ‘Then we’ll just have to leave her to lead the life she chooses. It is her life, after all. Not ours.

  FIVE

  Early on the misty autumnal Saturday morning, before he went riding with Alexis, Lord Reginald promised his wife he would find a way to get Alexis to go back to London.

  This promise had helped to relieve Jane’s anxiety, and now she sat in front of the fire in the library, reading a book, relaxing, enjoying the quiet and being alone. Thus the unexpected knocking on the door startled her; she glanced across at it, frowning. Instantly it opened to reveal Mrs Bellamy standing there, her manner somewhat hesitant.

  In an apologetic voice the housekeeper said, ‘So sorry to disturb you, Your Ladyship, but Miss Alexis told me you would give me the menu for supper tonight. If you can spare a moment now, it would be helpful.’

  Although she was surprised this task had been left to her, Lady Jane put down her book. ‘Yes, of course, Mrs Bellamy. Do come in.’ As she spoke, Jane stood and walked over to the small desk. ‘Have you had any thoughts about it?’

  Walking over to join her, Mrs Bellamy replied at once. ‘I do know His Lordship likes my lobster and fish pie, and I had thought of that for the main course.’

  Turning to her, Jane nodded. ‘I like it too, so let’s settle on that, Mrs Bellamy.’ Writing this down on the piece of paper she had taken out of a drawer, Jane then added, ‘It’s a bit chillier today, so why not one of your delicious soups first?’

  A smile of pleasure slipped onto the housekeeper’s face. ‘My carrot and ginger soup would be perfect before the pie, m’lady. I’ll do some oysters as a between-course too. And what about a plum clafoutis as a dessert, with a cheeseboard to follow?’

  ‘Sounds perfect to me. Thank you so much, Mrs Bellamy.’

  ‘There’s just one other thing, m’lady. What time will Miss Claudia and her husband be arriving this afternoon? In time for tea?’

  ‘Oh no, they’ll be here for supper. They have to attend an engagement party first, and—’ Jane cut her sentence off abruptly. She glanced at Mrs Bellamy as the sound of carriage wheels rattling on the cobblestones outside in the courtyard was heard.

  ‘Are you expecting someone, Your Ladyship?’ Mrs Bellamy asked.

  ‘No, I’m not,’ Jane murmured. Excusing herself, she hurried down the hallway to the front door and opened it.

  A look of enormous surprise crossed her face as she stood on the front steps. Well, well, well, she thought.

  Walking toward her was a young man in his early twenties, tall and good-looking, with fine features and fair hair.

  Lady Jane stepped out into the courtyard and walked forward, smiling at the young man. He extended his hand and said, ‘Let me introduce myself, Lady Carpenter. I am James Falconer, and I’m here at the behest of Mr Malvern. I have a letter from him for Miss Malvern.’

  Jane stretched out her hand to him. He shook it, and she said, ‘I’m very pleased to meet you, Mr Falconer.’

  ‘It is my pleasure, Your Ladyship. If I could speak to Miss Malvern and give her the letter, I can be on my way, Lady Carpenter.’

  ‘She’s not here, I’m afraid, but she’ll be back fairly soon. You must come in and wait for her. Come along.’

  James did not move an inch, although he did reach into his inside jacket pocket and took out an envelope. ‘Could you please give her this when she returns? I will have to come back later because Mr Malvern needs her answer today.’

  ‘Why do you say come back? You can wait here for her, Mr Falconer. Unless you have somewhere else to go?’

  He did not address her question. Instead he said, ‘I don’t believe Miss Malvern would think that quite appropriate. However, there is one thing I would like if it’s not too much trouble … could the driver take the carriage to the back, please, so the horses can drink some water? He knows Goldenhurst, and where the trough is.’

  ‘Of course he can, and he might want a drink of water himself, or a cup of tea. And so might you, Mr Falconer,’ Jane exclaimed in a brisk manner.

  Before James could respond, Broadbent, the butler arrived. ‘Can I help with anything, m’lady?’

  ‘I think the horses might need water. Oh, and Broadbent, this is Mr Falconer. He runs the Malvern Company for Mr Malvern.’

  Broadbent inclined his head and smiled at James, and said to Jane, ‘I know this driver, Your Ladyship. It’s Bolland. He works for Mr Malvern.’

  ‘Very good, Broadbent. Thank you. Now that is settled, let’s go into the house, Mr Falconer.’

  James had no option but to walk alongside Jane and enter the house. She led him along the corridor and into the library. ‘I won’t be a moment,’ she told him, and hurried off.

  James looked around the library with interest, admiring the simplicity of the decor, which was clean-lined and soothing. Walking over to the window, he looked out, thinking how well the gardens had been planned. They must be a riot of colour in the summer, he thought.

  A moment later, he turned arou
nd when Jane entered the room. ‘Please, do come and sit down, Mr Falconer. Mrs Bellamy is making a pot of tea.’

  ‘Thank you, Lady Carpenter. That is very kind of you.’ He took a seat in the armchair opposite her, and smiled.

  She smiled back and couldn’t believe the colour of his eyes. They were as blue as cornflowers. Realizing she was staring at him, she said swiftly, ‘I know your uncle George. Well, I’ve met him a few times, to be accurate. My husband likes his work, especially his editorials.’

  ‘That’s such a nice thing to hear. I know Uncle George loves The Chronicle. My grandmother is always saying he’ll never get married because he’s married to his newspaper.’

  Jane laughed, fascinated by the ease, grace and confidence she discerned in this very good-looking young man. And wondering why Alexis had been so nasty about him. She suddenly knew it had nothing to do with Falconer, in the sense that he was more than likely innocent of any wrongdoing. The fault was probably with Alexis and her troubled mind.

  James said, ‘I grew up in Kent as a small child, and my great-grandfather, Edward, owned a grocery shop in Rochester. Anyway, it is a beautiful county, especially around here.’

  ‘It is indeed. I love it too. Although we have a house near Cirencester, I still enjoy it here.’

  ‘May I ask you a question, Lady Carpenter?’

  ‘Yes, please do. I’ll answer if I can.’

  ‘I couldn’t help wondering why you told Mr Broadbent that I ran the Malvern Company.’

  ‘Because you do, don’t you? I know Mr Malvern is not well at all, his brother Joshua is dead, his cousin Percy is missing. And his heir, Miss Malvern, is mostly here at Goldenhurst. That leaves you, as I see it, in charge.’

  ‘I think Mr Malvern does very well, under the present circumstances, Lady Carpenter. I would prefer to say it’s a joint effort, and we do have another good man, Peter Keller, who has taken charge of the Wine Division.’ He leaned forward slightly, staring at her. ‘I wouldn’t want Miss Malvern to think … that I was …’ His voice trailed off and he just shook his head.

  Jane thought, oh God, he’s right. She’ll think he really is an opportunist, and I’m sure he isn’t. After a moment Jane gave a small chuckle and, trying to make light of it, she finished his sentence for him. ‘She might think you’re getting too big for your boots … that’s what you were going to say, isn’t it?’

  He nodded and leaned back in the chair. ‘I try to do my best,’ he said, and then added, ‘Basically, I’m following in my great-grandfather’s footsteps. I love retailing and I hope to open my own shop one day. A shop like Fortnum and Mason in Piccadilly. That’s my ambition.’

  ‘I love Fortnum’s!’ Lady Jane exclaimed, and thought to add, ‘And I’ll be your first customer.’

  At this moment, Mrs Bellamy came in with the tea tray. Once she had poured for them, she left with a smile and a nod, taking with her the menu Jane had left on the desk.

  Jane said, ‘I hope I’m not intruding into your life, Mr Falconer, but it sounds to me as if you are planning quite a different career for yourself … what I mean is, it sounds as if you will be leaving Malvern’s.’ She raised a brow and gave him a penetrating look.

  ‘You’re not intruding, Lady Carpenter. Everyone knows about my dream … but I won’t leave Mr Malvern until he’s really well again. I wouldn’t let him down.’

  ‘I believe I already know that,’ Jane said, and changed the subject, asking James if he had any hobbies.

  He chuckled at the question and said, ‘It’s perhaps the same as yours, Lady Carpenter.’ He glanced at the book on the desk. ‘I love reading, and I’m especially devoted to Dickens. Are you enjoying Our Mutual Friend?’

  Jane did not answer at once, thinking that James Falconer was full of surprises. Finally she said, ‘Yes, I am. Who cannot love his marvellous books?’

  The sound of horses’ hooves clattering in the yard announced the arrival of Lord Reginald and Alexis. Jane nodded at the window and said, ‘They have returned from their ride around the estate … Miss Alexis and my husband are about to join us.’

  SIX

  James, knowing intuitively that Alexis would be angry that he was here at Goldenhurst, immediately stood up. Reaching into his jacket, he took out the letter.

  Lady Jane, her eyes fixed on him, saw how intelligent and clever he was. There was no doubt in her mind that he understood Alexis and her complicated mind, her ever-changing moods.

  Clearing her throat, Jane looked at James, and said, ‘That’s the best idea. Give her the letter at once to prevent any aggravation on her part.’

  He simply nodded and glanced towards the door as it burst open, and Alexis and Lord Reginald came in from their ride.

  They were both obviously completely taken aback at the sight of James. Alexis stopped suddenly, her expression one of alarm. However, Lord Reginald, experienced man of the world that he was, hurried forward, his hand outstretched.

  ‘Falconer, isn’t it? How nice to see you again!’ he exclaimed, shaking hands with James.

  ‘Thank you, Lord Carpenter,’ James said in a calm and steady voice. ‘I came on behalf of Mr Malvern. He is quite well, but he wanted to be in touch with Miss Malvern.’ He took a step forward, offering the letter to Alexis.

  As she took it, she tossed her riding cane and hat to one side and said, ‘You could have just left it with Lady Carpenter and returned to London. You didn’t have to hang around here.’

  Jane flinched at the undercurrent of anger in Alexis’s voice, and glanced at her husband, who looked nonplussed at this rudeness.

  James said, ‘I had to wait for your answer, Miss Malvern. Those were your father’s instructions, and he told me he wishes to have your reply in writing.’

  This last comment appeared to surprise Alexis, her face changing. She simply answered, ‘Oh, I see. I’ll be back in a moment.’ Looking at Jane, she added, ‘Excuse me,’ and left without another word.

  Once they were alone, Lord Reggie stared at Jane and raised a brow. ‘Bit abrupt, wouldn’t you say?’

  ‘Yes, indeed.’ Turning to James, she went on, ‘Let’s not stand here waiting.’ She motioned to James. ‘Please, sit down, Mr Falconer, and you, too, darling,’ she finished, smiling at her husband.

  Both men did as she suggested, and after a moment, pushing down his annoyance with Alexis, Reggie said, ‘It’s almost tea-time, Jane. Ring for Mrs Bellamy or Broadbent, would you please? Falconer must be hungry, and he’s got a long trip ahead of him this afternoon.’

  James shook his head vehemently. ‘That is a very kind thought, Lord Carpenter, but I must leave when Miss Malvern comes back with her reply. Her father is very anxious to have her thoughts on a certain matter.’

  ‘I understand!’ Jane exclaimed. ‘Only too well.’ Rising, she continued, ‘Please excuse me for a few minutes. I am going to ask Mrs Bellamy to make sandwiches for you and the driver, and bottles of hot tea. She’ll pack everything in a small hamper and you can enjoy it on the return trip.’

  ‘Oh really, Lady Carpenter, that’s not necessary. You don’t have to go to all that trouble,’ James said, looking suddenly worried.

  ‘Yes, I do,’ Jane responded as she left the library, closing the door quietly behind her.

  Lord Reginald moved to sit in a chair closer to James, and confided, ‘For eight hundred years the Carpenters have been known for their generosity and kindness to others, and especially for their hospitality. You don’t think I’m going to let someone else who’s not a Carpenter besmirch our reputation, do you?’

  When James merely nodded his understanding, Lord Reginald added, with a wry smile, ‘I’m afraid some people, when they’re upset, are not quite themselves, do odd things, even behave badly. Just put Miss Malvern’s rudeness down to that, Falconer.’

  ‘I certainly will, Lord Carpenter. I haven’t taken offence.’

  ‘Is Mr Malvern in good health?’ Lord Reginald now asked, giving James a penetrating look. The urgency of
the letter was troubling him.

  ‘He is. Though he has been a long time recovering from his fatigue. But we’re doing various new things in his business, and he urgently needs some signatures and approval from Miss Alexis. That’s all I can tell you, sir.’

  ‘I understand.’

  Reginald Carpenter was a good judge of character, and he had been impressed with James’s demeanour, his quiet steadiness when confronted with Alexis and her curtness. After a moment, he said, ‘Do you like your job at the Malvern Company, Falconer?’

  ‘I do, yes, sir.’

  ‘If ever you want a change, come and see me on my paper.’

  James smiled, obviously quite flattered. ‘I’m afraid I can’t write, Lord Carpenter. I’m not gifted like my Uncle George. But I do appreciate your very kind offer.’

  ‘I know you’re not a journalist,’ Lord Reggie said. ‘But we have a division called Management and I know you would fit in very well there. I think you are most probably a good businessman and could tackle any number of problems.’

  ‘Thank you for this extraordinary gesture, Lord Carpenter. But I think it’s best for me to stick with retailing.’

  Lord Reginald inclined his head. ‘Consider the offer always there, Falconer. You see, I like the cut of your jib.’

  At this moment, Lady Jane came into the library, her face calmer and her eyes smiling again. ‘Mrs Bellamy is doing her best to pack the hamper quickly—’

  Jane broke off as Alexis followed her into the room, holding an envelope.

  James was already on his feet, as was Lord Reggie.

  ‘Here is the response to my father’s letter, Falconer,’ Alexis said, her voice not quite as strident as earlier, but her tone still cool.

  James took it from her, and inclined his head. ‘Thank you, Miss Malvern. I shall be going now.’

  Alexis simply nodded, and walked to the other side of the library, where she stood looking out of the window.

  Lady Jane glanced at her husband then said, ‘Come along, Mr Falconer. I will take you to the stables round the back of the house, where your carriage is waiting.’