Chapter one, a lawyer came to Trancy
Mr. Harry Crawley was a country Solicitor of well renown in the sleepy village of Scarwich and its neighboring town of Banbury. He was quite liked by the locals in Scarwich and had been known to go leaps and bounds in the service of his clients and his practise had the distinction of representing nearly everyone in the county. Mr. Crawley also was known to have the pleasure of representing an Earl as well.
Although were one to ask him he would certainly not think of the Earl Trancy as pleasurable company; he was wealthy and of the nobility, however his was not a reputation that inspired joy in others. He was a rude, pompous, lecherous, old man made sour by years of drink and his penchant for perversion.
However it was to this client in particular that Mr. Crawley was making his journey now. Clutching the brim of his hat tightly in one hand he carefully adjusted his hair with the other, anxiously attempting to assuage his nervousness. He wasn't called to the Trancy estate often and he was paid exceedingly well each time he was, but it was an experience that a decent man such as himself would rather avoid.
Returning his hat to his head he promptly leaned towards the window of his carriage to observe the Earl`s grounds; there were rose bushes and hedges, trees and flower beds, all arranged and kempt in a most beautiful and English fashion. The sight of the greenery did have a slight relieving effect; however the sight of them upon departure would be much more calming.
As the carriage turned to face the Trancy manor Mr. Crawley steeled himself for the experience that lay ahead, after straightening his waistcoat and collecting his satchel the Solicitor slowly descended from his carriage.
There were several servants waiting outside the entrance to the manor, foremost among them; the butler, stepped forward to give a polite bow to Mr. Crawley. The others gave curt bows before tending to Mr. Crawley's carriage and Chauffer.
"Good afternoon Mr. Crawley, my Lord will be most pleased that you have arrived at such short notice."
Mr. Crawley nodded, "Anything for his Lordship"
The butler bowed his head in acknowledgement and motioned his hand towards the open doors.
"Please do come in Sir and make yourself comfortable, refreshments and tea have been set in the drawing room."
Mr. Crawley entered the spacious foyer and removed his hat and coat; promptly a footman stepped forward to receive both articles. Looking around the room Mr. Crawley couldn't help but show his surprise at not seeing the Earl.
Turning towards the butler Harry voiced his surprise, "I had assumed that Earl Trancy would be here?"
The butler answered immediately and with a twinge of dissatisfaction,
"His Lordship is currently in the billiards room, I shall inform him of your arrival now. James, one of our footmen, will show you to the drawing room." The servant who had previously taken Mr. Crawley's hat and coat returned into view and gave a curt bow of his head.
The butler then made his way to towards the staircase, before disappearing from view the butler called back to Harry. "His lordship shall be joining you soon Mr. Crawley."
Harry nodded and was then led by the footman towards the smell of tea and fresh pastries.
After receiving his tea and choosing a few delicious confectionaries Harry allowed himself to relax. Perhaps this will not be as bad as you think Harry, and just remember it's a consultation on inheritance.
Upstairs in his study the Lord Earl Trancy smoked a petulant cigar and drank a large glass of brandy while he counted a trunk full of bank notes when he heard a knock upon his door.
He immediately growled and barked, "Didn't I tell you fools not to bother me until that solicitor arrived!"
The butler spoke through the door, "My lord, that is why I-"
"Wait! That means, he's here!" placing his brandy on his desk and depositing his cigar in an ashtray the Earl straightened his cravat and jumped from his chair, opening the door he nearly flattened his butler.
Holding his nose the butler stifled a pained yelp.
Shaking his head the Earl spoke with contempt, "If you are to be any butler of mine you ought to look livelier."
The butler nodded emphatically, "As you say, sir."
"Now where is he?"
The butler promptly reminded the Earl where they decided to receive the lawyer.
"My lord I have directed him to the drawing room, as you ordered. He is currently awaiting you there."
The Earl nodded and began walking down the hall towards the stairs.
"Where is Alois?"
The butler grew quiet, your Lordships son is on the grounds, and I believe he is at lesson near the stables."
The way the butler forced the word son was hard, unnatural, and awkward. The Earl however did not seem to notice and instead looked wistfully towards the windows hoping to catch a glimpse of the boy from where he stood on the staircase. He made an audible sigh, before snapping back to walking down the stairs.
"What was I going to discuss with the solicitor again?"
The butler reminded the Earl quickly as they came to the bottom of the step and began crossing the foyer.
"I believe it was your legal estate and the issue of your peerage. The will sir, and your bro-"
"Yes! I know all about what my brother thinks, but he can go bugger a tree for all I care! Him and that tart wife of his."
The Earl chuckled, "That bastard was positively giddy when my boy went missing yes he was!"
The butler furrowed his brow as he kept a close pace to the Earl's.
"Well now I've got my son again! And I'll be damned before I let him have my title or the estate."
The butler nodded, "As you say sir."
"My Lord, I must also remind you, I have received several more resignation letters this morning, we'll need to allocate more towards keeping them quiet. About the" He paused, and cleared his throat, quickly.
"About your dolls my Lord, they-"
"Bah! Shut up go and prattle elsewhere! Spare my ears and person of your presence!"
The butler stopped and bowed, "Yes my lord."
He then scurried off towards the servant's corridor.
Earl Trancy scoffed and then opened the doors to the drawing room to see Alois sitting across from the Solicitor. Alois was still wearing his deep blue riding coat and his white trousers were speckled heavily with mud and brush stains.
"Oh Father!" Alois jumped out of his chair and ran towards the Earl. Wrapping his arms around the elder lord the Earl couldn't help but laugh as he held the boy aloft in his arms.
Sitting up from his couch Mr. Crawley sported a most shocked expression as he spoke loudly, "My lord! Are you quite alright?"
"I'm just fine!" The Earl announced. His voice and tone were utterly different from how he sounded just a few moments ago.
Alois laughed as the Earl spun with him in his arms, he did so with a grace and ease deceptive to his age and visual lack of fitness. They did two quick rotations before the Earl placed Alois back down.
"Oh father I was just telling Mr. Crawley all about Illusion and how fun riding was today! You should have seen how well I was doing, Mr. Leister was most impressed."
The Earl nodded, "That's very good my boy! However Mr. Crawley and I must speak business together alright? So go run along and be a sweet boy back outside."
Alois pouted his lip and furrowed his brow disappointed at being sent away, "Yes Father I will." Turning back towards the Solicitor, Alois bowed. "It was a pleasure meeting and speaking with you Mr. Crawley"
Alois then turned and hopped out of the room giggling as he did so.
Earl Trancy looked on as the boy skipped down the hallway and towards the foyer. His greedy eyes were fixed upon the young lad until he had disappeared from view.
Mr. Crawley finished his tea and placed his cup and saucer on the nearest table before walking towards the Earl and extending his hand to the Earl's.
"How are you Harry?" the Earl loudly exclaimed as they shook hands.
"Very well, your Lordship."
The Earl took his seat in a large lounge chair and directed Harry to do the same.
"Good, good. Now you've met my boy, I trust he was polite and well mannered?"
Mr. Crawley nodded, "Yes very much so sir, he is quite a bright young lad."
The Earl nodded, as he mumbled to himself.
"Well, he is actually why I asked you here today."
Mr. Crawley leaned forward with a degree of concern on his brow, "Oh, how's that sir?"
"I would like to draw up a new will, and I'd like to rewrite my issue. I trust you have the associated documents?"
Mr. Crawley leaned to his side and opened his satchel, "I think I may have a few of what we need my Lord."
The Earl nodded, "good, I'd like to have this done and put into effect immediately, now here's what I'd like it to read."
To the side of the hall a lone figure stood in an alcove and listened intently upon the Earl and the solicitor, with a sly grin across his face.
