A week and half later, Adam sat at the table he used as a desk in the morning room. He needed to get a letter Vince had dictated to Roman, translated into German, quickly. Vince said this one couldn't wait and Adam was glad to do it.
Chris and Shane entered the morning room. "Well, we are off to the orphanage. I have the sketchbook for Tommy and the yarn for the girls." Chris gave him a kiss and a smile.
Adam smiled at his fiance. "Tell them I am sorry, but this is important. Shane, have fun. Thanks for taking my place today."
Shane returned Adam's smile. "I don't mind. Got me out of another trip to the museum." He gave Adam a wink.
Adam laughed. "Well then, glad I could help. Again, have fun. Give them my love. I love you."
"I will. I love you. Tell poppa we will be home in time for tea." Chris kissed Adam again. He and Shane left for the orphanage.
Adam turned his attention back to the letter. It wasn't a long response, but it was a very important one. Some of the important Germans from their equal to the House of Lords were coming to London. Vince had been named as the head of the committee to welcome them. This letter was to confirm some of the topics that would be discussed. It would give both sides a chance to get things translated. Vince wanted the letter in the mail tomorrow.
Eric came into the morning room. He sat at his own desk with a sigh.
"How is Reggie?" Adam asked with concern. Reggie had caught a cold.
Eric took out his writing things. "Better. Nanny cleaned out his nose. He could breathe better and fell asleep. He doesn't have a fever. Beatrice misses her brother. She doesn't like being in the nursery without him. Nanny said it was best to keep them apart for another day. Unless Reggie gets a fever. Seth is with Bea. So, how is the translating?"
"Poor Reggie. It's good that there's no fever. It's going well. Should be done by tea time. On yes, Chris and Shane will be home for afternoon tea. Shane was happy. I think he is a bit bored of Mister Barrett's museum trips. At least Shane's history marks should be good." Adam chuckled as he dipped his pen into his inkwell.
Eric chuckled in response. "That is true…" He was halted when Mark came into the room. He carried a tray with two large stacks of mail.
"The morning mail, Your Grace." Mark set the try down on Eric's desk like he did every morning.
Eric looked at the stacks of mail. "Oh, I see the replies to the wedding invitations are coming in. Thank you, Calaway." He smiled at the Butler.
"Tea in an hour, Your Grace?" Mark asked as he neatened the morning newspaper on Eric's desk.
"Yes, please." Eric gave a nod and pushed his reading glasses back up on his nose.
Mark gave Eric a nod and a wink to Adam. He was very proud of the work Adam was doing for Duke Vincent. It was important to the entire country.
Eric looked at the stacks of replies. "I need to check these off the list. It will have to wait."
"I'll do it when I finish this." Adam didn't think it was fair for Eric to do all the work. After all it was his wedding, not Eric's.
The door cracked open, Wade stuck his head in. "Sorry, Your Grace. Could I get the newspaper, please?"
Eric waved the tutor in. "Of course. It's here." He nodded to the now neatly folded London Times.
Wade entered the room to pick up the paper. He noticed Adam worked on one of the letters from the satchel. Wade looked at the stacks of mail. He guessed what they were. Maybe he could help… and see what Adam was doing.
"Your Grace, if it would help, I could take care of these for you. I would assume you have a list? With Shane out, I have time to assist." Wade arched his brow. He feigned a look of wanting to be of service. Wade was a master of masking his face.
Eric looked over at Adam. Adam gave Eric a shrug. He really was wary of Barrett, due to Chris, but what harm could do? Adam gave Eric a nod of approval.
"That would be so kind of you. Note if it is yes or no, then how many. I do appreciate it, Mister Barrett. Here, use my letter opener, it will be easier." Eric opened the drawer of his desk and took out a sterling sliver letter opener. The McMahon family crest was on the handle end.
"Could I use the edge of your desk, Adam? Unless it would annoy you." Wade took the list that Eric had taken out of another desk drawer and handed him.
Adam didn't want to be rude. "Yes, but please try not to bump the table." There was enough room for Wade to work, if he was careful.
"Thank you. I just need this corner." Wade pulled a chair up to the right hand corner.
Adam waited for Wade to settle, then went back to his work. He put a sheet of paper over the translation he'd already done.
"Keeps me from smearing the ink." Adam spoke with a chuckle. Inside, his mind had told him to cover it, so he heeded it and it was a good excuse.
Wade also chuckled. "I have the same problem. Comes with my being left handed." He picked up the first RSVP, which was short for the French term, Répondez S'il vous plaît; respond if you please. It was a way for people to say yes or no to being invited to an event, and how many would be in their party.
The three men worked in a quiet companionship. The only sound was the "slit" of paper as Wade opened the small envelopes. When the mantel clock began to chime eleven, the door to the morning room opened. Mark and Cody had brought the tea.
"Ah, thank you. Boys, time for a break." Eric removed his glasses and rubbed the bridge of his nose.
Adam pulled the cover sheet over his translation. He put it and the letter in his satchel and stood.
Wade finished marking on the list, then laid the letter opener on the desk. He too stood and stretched.
Eric indicated for Adam to sit with him on the sofa and for Wade to sit in one of the leather chairs across from the sofa. Mark and Cody set their trays down in total silence.
"Your Grace, Cook wanted me to ask if she may serve au jus with the lamb tomorrow. She said the mint was not quite ready." Mark asked brow arched. His dear Judy was in a fluster. The mint in her herb garden was not good.
Eric nodded. "Of course, it is fine, Calaway. She did say she wasn't sure about it. Duke Hart will love it. Better have her make a big pot." He gave a laugh. Bret Hart would eat an entire lamb if Shawn would let him.
Mark gave another nod. "Thank you, Your Grace. She will be pleased. Do you require anything else?" Again he arched his brow.
"No thank you, Calaway. As you know luncheon at two. Oh yes, Lord Seth requested his on a tray in the nursery. I forgot to tell you." Eric returned the nod with a smile.
"Yes, Your Grace." Mark nodded as did Cody. The two servants left in the same silence they had entered with.
" I'll pour." Adam smiled and poured three cups of hot, fragrant tea. It was the Earl Gray.
Eric picked up a slice of walnut cake. He bit into the cake, chewed, swallowed then spoke. "Thank you, Adam. Sorry, I am hungry. I didn't have much breakfast helping Seth. How is the translation going?"
Adam put his piece of sandwich down. "Very well, but slow. It is a very important reply. So I am double checking everything." He finished with a bite of his sandwich. He too was a bit peckish.
"Wish I could help." Wade spoke with a laugh. He could speak many languages, fluently. Before he became Head Master, he taught languages in other private schools.
"You wouldn't be able to help him anyway. Adam is working on government affairs. Vince had to get special permission from Prime Minister Balfour for Adam's help." Eric spoke firmly. He too, wasn't one hundred percent behind Barrett. However, so far the man had done nothing untoward and Shane enjoyed him, for the most part.
Adam looked at Eric. "He did? He spoke to the Prime Minister of England, about me?" He was a bit shocked. Adam had not known it.
Eric chuckled at the look on his future son-in-laws face. "Yes he did, you dear boy. Minister Balfour was impressed at your teaching yourself. He has been invited to the wedding. Has he responded?" Eric turned from Adam and looked at Wade.
Wade swallowed his sip of tea. "No, Your Grace, at least not yet. There have been no refusals so far." He was surprised so many of grand society wanted to see a Lord marry a servant.
"Good. It is going to be the wedding of the season. Then we get to do it all again in the spring." Eric grinned and ate another piece of cake.
"In the spring? Oh yes, Shane told me. Lords Dean and Kenny. Congratulations on so many happy events." Wade gave Eric a smile.
At the orphanage, Chris and Prudence spoke in the morning room. "Michael hasn't found anything new on your Mister Barrett. He thought your idea to have Orton in the house was good one. They are working on how. It has to be good. Barrett is very intelligent." Prudence spoke with deep thought.
"Yes, slow and careful is always best. Pru, I think Barrett could be involved with Lady Banks…" Chris went on to explain about the common fragrance he'd noticed on Barrett then on Lady Sasha. "...I just found it odd."
Prudence frowned. "That is odd. I will tell Mister Cole. There is one idea, but I wanted your opinion. You can trust your Butler?"
Chris nodded. "Absolutely. He is Adam's step-father. He has known Adam all his life."
"Well, what if Cody came back here? To take Morrison's place for a few weeks. A broken leg or something. Orton could go as his replacement. A servant would have total access to the house. Barrett wouldn't be as suspicious as he might be if a long, lost cousin suddenly showed up. It was just a thought. Of course, your Butler would have to know the truth." Prudence was in deep thought as she spoke.
Chris smiled. "Prudence Mayfield, you could be a Police Detective. Yes, that would work. You would want Cody back, temporarily because he was the under butler. Let me talk to Mark. I also don't think Cody should know, until he is back here. But Pru, you will send Cody back, he is family to the others now. Also, I would tell Adam… wouldn't I? Or… I promised to never lie to him." His smile turned to a look of confusion.
Prudence put a hand on Chris' arm. "I don't normally encourage to lie, but I think in this instance, it would be for the best. If Adam doesn't know, it can't come back on him. He is so sweet, he could let something slip, without meaning to. I would also tell your Butler not to say anything either. Nothing is certain mind, I need to talk to Cole first." Prudence spoke honestly. Sometimes a lie was needed to keep others safe.
Chris bit his lip. "Yes, I suppose you are right. When we were younger, and a bit more… laddie, Dean always said, it is better to beg for forgiveness than ask for permission. It is for Adam's safety. Well, as you said nothing is set in stone. I'll ask Mark's opinion as well. After all, he knows Adam. Oh, and we will tell Tommy and the girls next week. You need the time in case the shoes need exchanging or the dresses need alterations." He finished with a sip of tea and a smile.
Prudence laughed lightly. "You and Dean were quite the pair. Yes, that is a good thought, talk to Adam's step-father. I would like to meet him one day… Oh, I guess I will, at the wedding."
"Yes, you will. I will tell you, if I ever needed help, he'd be the one I'd call. Well, here is the check for the month." Chris pulled a folded bank draft out of his pocket.
Prudence took the draft and put it in her pocketbook. "Thank you, Chris. I never need it, but I always use it. I am using this to have a telephone put in. It helps that the Banks' put one in. The line is established and they had to pay for it, to be brought up from the relay. I don't really understand any of that, but, it means I only… well you only have to pay for the connection from the pole to the house. Anyway, they will start on Monday. Let's finish our tea." You will have to tell the story today, oh and Chris, not Hansel and Gretel again." Prudence gave Chris a wink and filled his tea cup.
Chris laughed. "I guess I have told it more than once or twice. It was the one I made poppa Patrick tell me when I was little. I will tell one of Adam's stories." He took a sip of his tea.
At the McMahon house, luncheon had been served and eaten. It was a delicious roast duck. Eric had gone up to check on baby Reggie. Adam had returned to his work in the morning room. Wade had finished the invitations but sat in the morning room, with Eric's approval, and read the newspaper.
Adam put down his pen, stood and stretched a bit. "I will be back in a minute. I left my German book in my room." He covered the letter he worked on and laid his pen across it.
Wade looked up from his newspaper. He gave Adam a smile. He gave the blond a nod and went back to the paper. He hoped he'd have enough time to read the letter on Adam's desk. He put the newspaper aside and listened. He didn't hear any sounds. Wade stood.
Just as Wade stood, Mark entered the morning room. He gave Wade a nod. Mark carried another silver tray with two more stacks of mail. It looked like more replies to wedding invitations had come in the afternoon post.
Wade wasn't sure what to do. He tried to act normal. "More RSVPs? I did the ones from this mornings post." Wade walked over to Eric's desk where Mark stood.
Mark looked at Wade. "I wouldn't know, it is not my place to notice." He spoke in a friendly tone, but his look was firm.
"I suppose not. I also suppose I should wait for His Grace." Wade moved back to his chair and sat. He hoped the Butler would leave. He still might have a chance to look at Adam's desk.
Mark was not about to leave Barrett alone. He spotted something. "That boy. He always forgets." The Butler picked up the nearly empty bottle of ink. He opened a small drawer in a little table with a lamp that sat between Eric's desk and Adam's table.
Wade watched with annoyed glare as Mark carefully filled Adam's inkwell from a larger bottle of ink. He was duly impressed, for having such large fingers. The Butler filled the well without a single stray drop.
Just as Mark finished, both Eric and Adam returned along with Seth and baby Beatrice. Eric went to his desk, Seth sat on the sofa with Bea. Adam went to his table.
"Afternoon post, Your Grace. Adam, son, I filled your inkwell. Do you require anything, Your Grace, Your Lordship?" Mark asked as he put the larger bottle of ink away.
"No thank you, Calaway." Eric stated as he sat down. He could do the invitations now that his own correspondence was finished.
Seth spoke. "Nothing for me, thank you. Be sure to tell your lovely wife the duck was wonderful. Bea even got a taste of the gravy." He rocked his daughter gently as she chewed on her fingers.
Mark smiled as he looked at the baby in Seth's arms. "I will tell her. I am glad you liked it too, little Mistress." He would have loved to have held her, but it just wasn't done.
Seth saw the look on Mark's face. "Tell you what. Adam and Chris can bring her down for a visit later. It would give Nanny a break and Reginald can sleep." He cuddled his daughter.
"That would be nice, Your Lordship." Mark gave a nod. He left the morning room. His plan to foil Barrett had worked.
Mark had heard Adam go upstairs. He knew Barrett was alone, with the letters. Mark had entered the drawing room as Barrett had stood. He was satisfied, he'd done his job.
Eric began to open the responses. "Ah, well, Adam. I am sorry, but the Prime Minister, won't be at the wedding. However, his wife will. Vince was right, the Minister will be in Scotland. Missus Balfour is lovely." He made a Mark on the list.
Wade looked at the clock on the mantel. He put down the newspaper and stood. "Your Grace, I am going for my afternoon walk, unless I can help you?" He looked at Eric with a smile.
"Have a pleasant walk. Shane will be back at tea time. Thank you for your help with these, you did a fine job." Eric gave the tutor a smile.
Wade gave a slight nod. "Glad to be of service, Your Grace. Your Lordship, Adam." He turned and left the room. Wade picked his hat up off the table in the foyer, and went out the front door. He had to meet someone at the park.
Seth spoke when he heard the front door open and close. "I don't like that man." He held Bea close when she fussed. It as if she agreed with her poppa about Wade.
Eric looked at Seth. "I am starting to feel the same. The problem is, he has done nothing wrong. He is good to Shane and Shane likes him. Except for the museum outings. If there is something about him, at least he is were he can be watched." He gave a shrug and went back to work.
Wade Barrett walked at a brisk pace toward Lennox Garden. It was close, but far enough not to raise questions if he were seen by a member of the McMahon or Hart family. It was also a smaller, normally quiet park. Most people preferred Hyde Park, it had more space.
Wade walked toward a bench, where a lady sat and read a book. Barrett put on a smile. Oh, he liked Sasha Banks, but not in a romantic way… he just couldn't let her know that… especially when they were in bed.
Wade scanned the area. The only other person in the park was an older woman who fed the ducks at the small pond.
The older lady observed Wade Barrett approach the bench were Lady Sasha Banks sat. The lady wished she could hear, but didn't dare get closer. The lady wasn't really a lady at all; he was a private investigator, named Randal Keith Orton. He truly was a master of disguise.
"Lovely roses for a lovely lady." Wade spoke softly. He held out a bouquet of six, blood red roses. He'd bought them from a flower lady near the entrance to the park. Wade didn't know the woman was the Aunt of Paige, the scullery maid in the McMahon house.
Sasha Banks looked up from the book she read. The book was written in German. "Thank you, they are lovely. Please, join me."
Wade sat on the bench and sighed. "I nearly got a chance to read the letter Adam is working on. I do know what it is about…" He went on to tell Margret what he knew.
"I also found our Prime Minister Balfour will be in Scotland during the wedding. His wife will attend, but she is not our target. Honestly, I think it will be too difficult to do it here. Maybe Austria would be easier." Wade finished with a bit of a shrug.
Margret gave a nod. "You might be right. Father is in Austria now. The time is not right. The committee thinks it could be ten years. Yes, that is a long time, but, the slower we go now, the better. Build up the trust, then spring the trap. I will tell the others what you told me. Remember, stay calm. Keep up appearances. I think you are doing very well."
Wade ducked his head a bit. "Thank you, my dear. I feel I could do better. If that damn Butler hadn't come in, I could have read the letter. I would have known when they are coming and how." He let out a sigh. He felt he'd let down the committee.
Margret laid a hand on Wade's arm. "Wade, dear, you are doing a wonderful job. Don't forget, you are in the McMahon house. You may not get a chance to read letters, however, you have ears; use them. Remember though, leave Shane out of it. We can recruit him later. Build the trust. Perfection is attained by slow degrees, it requires the hands of time. Don't get so down on yourself." She gave Wade a kiss on the cheek.
Wade again ducked his head, he even managed to get a slight flush on his cheeks. Inside, he growled, not only did he not find women sexually attractive, he didn't like forwardness from men or women. Wade was used to being the masterful one.
"You're too good to me, my dear Sasha. I'd better get back. It is nearing time for Shane to return. Last time, they rode through this very park." Wade stood. He could not be seen with Sasha Banks.
Sasha also stood, book in one hand, roses in the other. "We will meet again. I will send word. Remember, you are doing a fine job." She gave Wade a rather overly girlish smile.
Wade managed to grin back like a love sick schoolboy. "Yes, I will look forward to it. Thank you, I am trying. I've got to go. Take care, my dear." He kissed Sasha's hand, then hurried off.
No one noticed the older lady had vanished. Randy Orton was just that damn good.
Lady Sasha Banks had just entered a cab when Chris and Shane rode by. They were too engrossed in their conversation to notice their surroundings. They were so engrossed they had nearly missed the short cut through Lennox Garden Park, to get to Eaton Square.
"… so I want to get more cards. With words not just letters. Jimmy needs a slate he can carry to write on. He is so smart for his age. Chris, every time I think of what his own mother did to him, I want to do it to her." Shane's tone went from admiration for Jimmy to anger at the boy's mother.
Chris smiled at his little brother. "Good about the cards. I will help you buy them if you want. Shane, I know how you feel. I partly agree with you. However, she is mentally ill. It is not an excuse, don't get me wrong. She is being punished. Trust me, a mental asylum is truly hell on earth. Take that anger you feel toward her, and turn it into helping Jimmy. He needs your help, more than his mother needs your anger." Chris again smiled at Shane.
Shane's face contorted in deep thought. "You are right. No, I have money at the bank. I can draw out up to ten pounds without father's signature. Thank you though. You know, maybe I could get blank cards. Tommy and Adam could draw pictures and I could write the words." He gave a bit of shrug.
"Oh, yes. I forgot you have limited access till you are twenty-one. Tommy and Adam would love that. Adam could work on them at the orphanage, but you can ask him." Chris turned Highflyer onto Eaton Square.
Shane turned Merlin to follow Highflyer. "I will. I know Adam is busy. It could wait or I can by picture cards." He stopped talking as they rode into the mews of the McMahon and Hart houses.
Jason and Matthew came out to greet the returning riders. Jason held Highflyer's headstall, and Matthew held Merlin's as Chris and Shane dismounted.
"Thank you Jason, Riddle." Chris gave Adam's brother and the stable boy a nod.
Shane also spoke. "Yes, thank you." He followed Chris to the door that led to the servant's hall. Shane still wasn't used to it, but it was faster than walking around to go in the front door.
Mark stood when Chris and Shane entered. The servant's were almost finished with their afternoon tea.
"Please, sit. Shane go on up. Tell Adam and poppa I will be there shortly." Chris spoke to Shane in that older brother tone that meant business.
"Alright. You look lovely, Miss Judy." Shane smiled. Judy always made time for Shane when he was little, and came down to the kitchen.
Judy smiled. "Thank you, dear boy. I miss making patty pan cakes with you."
"Me too." Shane smiled, then went upstairs.
"Mark, could we speak after supper? I need to ask you something." Chris arched his brow.
Mark knew it was more important than Chris let on. "Of course, your Lordship. Just ring." He gave Chris a nod.
"Thank you. You do look lovely, momma Judy." Chris gave Judy a kiss on the cheek. After some friendly chatter, he went upstairs.
After supper, Vince wanted to speak with Adam about the translations. They went to Vince's study, next to the morning room. The others gathered in the morning room, save Roman and Seth, who went up to the nursery.
"Poppa, I will be back. I need to do something." Chris stated as he stood. Eric sat on the sofa and spoke with Stephanie.
Dean watched a chess match between Wade Barrett and Shane. He would challenge the winner.
"Alright, son. I'm sure your father and Adam will be a bit." Eric spoke with an exhale of cigar smoke.
Chris chuckled. "I'm sure. Well, I will be back in a bit." He left the morning room. He decided to go down to talk to Mark. That way, nothing could be overheard accidentally or intentionally… he had Barrett on his mind.
Beth, Becky and Paige sat at the table and sewed. Jason and Cody were in front the wireless and listened to Manchester vs Chelsea play football. Judy sat in her chair and did her usual knitting. Mark sat in his chair and read his evening paper and smoked his pipe.
Mark heard Chris come down the stairs. He wasn't that surprised. "Come in, Your Lordship." Mark smiled as Chris stood in the doorway between the kitchen and the main room.
"Sorry to intrude. Could we speak, in private?" Chris didn't want to raise too many questions, but he did need to speak to Mark.
"Absolutely. Come to my pantry. My dear, we will be back later." Mark waved to the room he now shared with his wife.
Alright, dear. Chris, tea?" Judy treated Chris like family, while Mark was still more formal in front of the others.
"No thank you, momma Judy. I am still full from your delicious dinner and pudding." Chris smiled at Judy and kissed her cheek as he passed by.
Mark led Chris to the room and closed the door behind them. "Have a seat. Sorry it is a bit… cozy." He indicated for Chris to sit on the two person sofa. Mark pulled up his desk chair and sat across from Chris.
Mark grinned. "Now son, what's troubling you?" He sat back to listen.
"I spoke with Lady Prudence today. She came up with an idea. It would deeply involve you. You know my reservations about Wade Barrett. Well…" Chris went on to tell about what he and Prudence discussed.
"...so could it work? Would it be believable to trade Cody for Orton?" Chris spoke rapidly, but clearly. He looked at Mark with concern.
Mark rubbed his bearded chin. "Yes, it would work, and it would make sense. I agree, it would be better to have him as a servant than a long, lost family member. So what led to this strong suspicion?" He arched his brow.
Chris guffawed. "I believe Barrett is tied to Lady Banks…" He explained about the fragrance. "...when I realized it was the same, I knew it wasn't a coincidence. Barrett is up to something, but what? That is what we want to find out."
"That is very good detective work on your part. I believe Barrett was going to read the letter Adam worked on today…" Mark took his turn to explain about the incident in the morning room earlier. "… so, I stayed until Lord Seth, Duke Eric and Adam returned. Barrett said nothing, but his face told everything. He was annoyed with my staying. I wasn't about to leave." Mark spoke firmly and was confident he'd done the right thing.
Chris grinned at Mark. "Excellent work, Mark. Thank you for keeping Adam's work safe. I wouldn't have locked it in the safe either in a case like that. Now, none of this about Orton is for certain. Prudence hasn't even spoken to her solicitor yet. I have another question. Prudence and I both think it would be better if only you and I know the truth, if Orton does come here. That means not telling anyone, including Judy, Jason… and Adam. Is it wrong of me not to tell Adam? Is that breaking our trust, about lying to one another?" He looked at Mark like a frightened child.
Mark once again rubbed his bearded chin. "I would say, no. you are doing it to protect him… and national security. He might be a bit upset when he finds out. I will do my best to make sure he sees reason. Chris do you really think Barrett is dangerous?" Mark's face too, contorted in concern.
Chris looked Mark directly in the eyes. "Yes, I do. I think he is tied to a dangerous group of people. The bad thing is, there is no real proof. There are more questions than answers.