Forlorn Hope: the Branwell Chronicles, #3 by Judith Hale Everett

Author:Judith Hale Everett
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Evershire Publishing
Published: 2022-03-12T00:00:00+00:00

The following morning, Geoffrey received a letter from Mr. Adkins, informing him of his movements.

Dear Sir,

It seems that Sir Anthony Chandry was very busy latterly, for the first two of the properties it pleased you that I should investigate seem to have changed hands within the last two years. I have enclosed a listing. From anything I can discover, there was little profit to the business, so he must’ve been under the hatches, to go to all the trouble of selling them within so short a period of buying them. I’ll go on to look at the other investments, though I’ve a notion it’ll be the same as with these, but I’d liefer do the job proper and leave nothing to guess.

J. Adkins

Digesting this missive, Geoffrey was inclined to agree with the Runner’s estimation of the business, for Chandry Manor had been mortgaged, a usual step taken when one was in financial straits. Crowther, however, held Sir Anthony to have been a shrewd businessman, and was convinced that, contrary to the looks of things, he had secreted his money away from his son-in-law for revenge. His outburst on the uselessness of his marriage showed all too clearly his priorities, and Geoffrey feared what he would do should his expectations be vain. He considered the prudence of writing to Mrs. Crowther to warn her of what lay on the horizon, for though she had insisted that her husband never had laid a finger on her, he would rather she be prepared for the worst. But he quickly determined this would be foolish, for Mr. Crowther would no doubt discover the letter and take exception to Geoffrey’s corresponding with his wife; therefore, he wrote to Mr. Crowther merely to inform him that the investigation was ongoing, and to ensure his further intelligence as it was received.

Cursing his helplessness to truly ameliorate Emily’s circumstances, he changed his dress and walked out to call upon Miss Breckinridge. She, he was certain, stood in need of assistance, and if he could not lend his aid to the one he loved, then he would do what he could for those within his reach. She was at home, and Geoffrey found her every bit as conversable as the day before, and even more lively. Without the onerous presence of Lady Athena and Major Prewhurst to stare down their noses at her, it seemed she was free of consternation, and he began to trust that she would, in time, take him completely into her confidence.

Accordingly, Geoffrey’s acquaintance with Miss Breckinridge prospered in a way that might have surprised some, had they not been aware of the rumor that the young lady had thirty thousand pounds, and were convinced that the captain must have had the earliest intelligence of it, so quickly had he made himself her friend. His chances with the heiress were sometimes spoken of favorably, and sometimes reduced to evens in the clubs, for she had at least two other persistent suitors who were neither of them second sons, and both had the added advantage of a title.

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