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“May I ask what that case involved?”

“It was a case where a father sued his daughter’s suitor for breach of promise; however, there was little evidence that the man had ever offered for the young lady during the six months he called on her.”

Mr. Banks shook his head. “I tried to advise the father against the case, but he was adamant that he would have satisfaction. In the end, he only succeeded in bringing notoriety to his daughter. Last I heard, he sent her off to Ireland to marry a distant cousin. Still, I think it a sad state of affairs when a man can raise expectations by continuing to call for a long period without actually making a commitment.”

When William did not reply, he stood. “Well, in any case I must be off. I have several appointments this afternoon, and I still need to inform Mr. Graves that the appointment with you is confirmed.”

Farewells were said, and soon William and Richard were alone again.

“How many more files must we rifle through?” Richard asked.

“One more box,” William replied. “Though it is probably the largest.”

“What do you say to ordering some sandwiches and tea? After we have eaten, I will help you go through it.”

“Are you not expected back at your office today?”

“Actually, this morning General Lassiter left for Southampton on a mission to help General Smithson resolve some problem, so I am at your service for at least the next four weeks. I will check with my office daily, however, to see if there is anything pressing that I should address.”

“That is good to know.” William stood and tugged on an elaborately embroidered bell-pull to summon a servant.

It was not long until they both had eaten and were halfway through the last box of files on the desk when William recalled the almost empty file found at Mr. Humphrey’s office. Reaching for it where it lay on the end of his desk, he opened it to find several pages of notes of no import. Underneath it all, however, was an unusual letter on fine-quality paper usually reserved for important correspondence. Instead of being written with pen and ink, however, words and letters had apparently been cut from local newspapers or broadsheets and pasted to form a warning, which read: If you wish to live a long life, you will cease working for Lord Morgan.

Stunned, William pulled the letter from the file and held it out to Richard. “Since this was in the back of the file, I wonder if Mr. Humphrey did not take the threat seriously. If he had bothered to show it to David, surely it would have been with the papers at Netherfield Park.”

Richard read the letter and gave a low whistle. “What the devil? What would spur someone to threaten a solicitor to give up a client?”

“What indeed?” William replied. “I hate to ask Lady Morgan if David ever mentioned this threat to her, but I see no way around it.”

“Unfortunately, I do not see that you have a choice, either.”

Darcy House

The next day

As Mr. Banks and Mr. Graves joined William and Richard in the study, William surreptitiously studied the man touted as the best barrister in England whilst being introduced to him.

“Mr. Darcy, Mr. Jackson Graves,” his solicitor said. William, who had risen from his chair, nodded curtly and Graves did the same. “And this,” Banks said, motioning to Richard, “is Colonel Richard Fitzwilliam, Mr. Darcy’s cousin.”

Richard bowed as did Mr. Graves.

To William’s eye, Jackson Graves looked approximately five and forty. He was as tall, or perhaps taller, than himself, with prematurely grey hair and dark grey eyes. Not handsome in the least, his regal bearing gave him an air of authority and William understood immediately his appeal as a barrister. Anyone in Graves’ presence would likely be predisposed to give credence to his opinion from his appearance alone.

Having seated himself, Graves instantly began to speak. “You will learn that I am not one to talk merely to hear my voice, so let us get down to the business at hand as my time is short. Mr. Banks allowed me to read the letter you sent him explaining Lady Morgan’s situation and the letter James Morgan presented to her after Lord Morgan’s death, the one claiming he was now the heir.”

At William’s nod, he continued, “First of all, I have handled many cases concerning wills that suddenly show up after someone dies and have had great success arguing for and against them, as the circumstances dictate. As for the matter of James Morgan’s argument that he is next in line as the heir, there is the matter of the child Lady Morgan is currently carrying. Should it turn out to be a son, I believe that according to what little Mr. Banks has told me regarding the elder Lord Morgan’s will, that child would be the next in line as the heir. If I can convince the court that they should consider the unborn child a possible heir, they might order that nothing be changed until after she delivers said child.”

“I had not thought of that,” William declared.

“That is what I am paid to do,” Mr. Graves replied solemnly. “Now, tell me who is to represent Lady Morgan in court. She may wish to attend the proceedings, but I would suggest otherwise. If it appears she is trying to use her current condition as an attempt to stir up sympathy, that will not be good. Besides, the judges will expect her nearest male relative to stand in her stead during court.”

“I … Lady Morgan has no male relatives to represent her,” William replied. “As you know, her husband was killed and her father died not long after being told of the death. She had two uncles, but one died a year ago and the other is unwell. In fact, he has hardly left his bed for several months now.”

Mr. Graves’ expression darkened. “I am sorry to hear that, for it does not bode well for her situation. We all wish to think the courts are fair, but unfortunately, I have found that is not always the case. The judges I argue before are inclined to favour a man’s testimony over a woman’s at every turn. Is there perhaps a friend who might see the advantage of engaging himself to her to elevate his station?”

“As far as I know there is no one,” William said. “Moreover, I doubt she would be willing to tarnish her husband’s memory by entering a marriage, or even an engagement, so soon.”

“You do not understand. If we end up having to take this matter to court, I strongly advise you to counsel her to find someone with whom she would be willing to engage herself. Even though her husband is barely cold in his grave, society will not censure her for so short a mourning period; after all, widows and widowers with small children are not held to the same standard as the rest of us. Even if she does no more than announce an engagement to culminate in marriage after her child is born, the courts will likely accept her fiancé as her spokesperson. Of course, it goes without saying that a man of some consequence would be best. The courts show a preference for those with titles or extreme wealth with large landholdings, such as yourself.”