Anne Barbour by Lord Glenravens Return

Author:Lord Glenravens Return
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Twelve

Claudia and Jem were greeted in a small anteroom by an austere personage of dyspeptic mien.

“Yes?” he inquired haughtily, “May I help you?”

The glance he hastily ran over Jem’s shabby suit and Claudia’s plain muslin gown obviously had led him to the conclusion these were not the sort of persons to be welcomed with open arms at Scudder, Widdicombe and Phillips.

“We would like to see William Scudder,” replied Jem courteously, “if he is in.”

The personage sniffed.

“He is in, but I fear he is busy at the moment. Perhaps if you would leave your name...” He let the sentence trail off, apparently in the hope that this unsightly pair would take the hint and simply vanish from his ordered world.

“Please,” said Jem quietly, but with great firmness. “Tell him that Lord Glenraven wishes to see him.”

The personage stiffened. Once more, his rather myopic gaze traveled over them, and he fairly quivered in indignation. “My good man—whoever you might be—please do not try to...”

As Claudia watched in fascination, Jem made another of his transformations. He seemed to grow taller, and he drew about him an air of authority that came as naturally to him as pulling on a coat.

“You will tell him that now.”

The man opened his mouth as though he would dispute the order, but after one look into Jem’s face, he turned on his heel and left the room, shuttering the door behind him with an affronted click.

Claudia had barely absorbed all this, when the door opened once more, and a gentleman in his late fifties hastened into the anteroom. He strode to Jem and gazed at him intently for a long moment before grasping the younger man’s hand.

“Lord Glenraven! When Wickerly told me— But—by God, it really is you! Come in, come in, my boy.” Sparing barely a glance for Claudia, he took Jem by the arm and drew him into an inner office. It was not a large room, but the stained leather furniture and candles burning to augment the meager illumination provided by a single, grimy window, served to create a comfortable atmosphere. An odor of old leather and vellum hung over the place like a benediction.

His eyes never leaving Jem’s face, Mr. Scudder gestured the young man to a seat near a large, paper-strewn desk. Only then did he glance questioningly at Claudia.

“Mr. Scudder,” said Jem, bowing, “allow me to present Mrs. Emanuel Carstairs, the present owner of Ravencroft.”

After a moment’s startled hesitation, Mr. Scudder bowed also, and taking Claudia’s hand, he led her to a chair near Jem’s. He seated himself behind his desk and drew a deep breath.

“Lord Glenraven,” he repeated, smiling broadly. “You have changed considerably from the youngster who visited me once, so many years ago, with your father, but I had no difficulty in recognizing you. Have you come back for a visit, or is there some way in which I can assist you?” He glanced again curiously at Claudia.

Jem sat back in his chair and laid the leather case on the desk.

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