A Test of Wills - Charles Todd [54]
“How much would you say your art was influenced by your relationship with Linden. Before—and after?”
“Now there’s an interesting question!” she said, biting her lip as she gave it her attention. “I’d say he softened it, if anything. Love teaches you humility—patience—understanding. And acceptance. Charles told me once that I’d have made a good soldier on the battlefield because I didn’t know the meaning of fear. You aren’t afraid until you’ve got something to lose. But when you love someone or something, you’re terrified—there’s so much at stake, then, so much at risk, you see….”
Driving back toward Upper Streetham, Rutledge saw Laurence Royston coming toward him on a magnificent bay hunter. Royston waved, then drew rein, indicating that he wanted Rutledge to stop as well. Leaning down to speak to him, Royston said, “While you’re out in this direction, come to Mallows with me and I’ll give you that Will.”
So Rutledge followed him back to Mallows. This time he was taken to a small doorway on the western side of the house nearly hidden by a giant wisteria whose faded blossoms still bore a whisper of lingering scent. Royston unlocked it and then down a short, stone-flagged passage unlocked another heavy door.
They entered a large room, dark with paneling and bookshelves and tall cabinets, but with a pair of windows behind the desk looking out on a pleasant shrubbery. Royston went to one of the cabinets beside the desk, unlocked that with another key, and brought out several bundles of papers. Sorting them with the swiftness of familiarity, he quickly found what he was looking for and handed over a bundle tied in dark ribbon.
“Sit down, man. That’s the more comfortable chair over there. I use this one when I’ve got to read the riot act. It’s hard enough to numb the bones! You’ll notice the seal of this document hasn’t been broken. The Will is just as it was when Charles brought it up from London to put in the cabinet.”
Rutledge examined the seal carefully, and agreed. “No, it hasn’t been touched as far as I can see.” He opened it and began to read. Ten minutes later, he looked across at Royston and said, “It seems rather straightforward. The estate is left as you would expect, and there are the usual bequests in addition to that.”
Royston smiled wryly. “I hope they include a sum for the church. We’ll have Carfield ranting on the doorstep if there isn’t. He’s very determined to have a new organ, and something has to be done about the roof as well. The old parsonage could come down around his ears for all he cares, but the church is a different matter.”
A proper setting for a proper man of God.
“Why isn’t he interested in the parsonage? He lives there, doesn’t he?”
“To tell you the truth, I always believed that he had his eye on Mallows. By way of Lettice, of course. Charles said he would as soon see her married to a giant slug.”
Rutledge laughed. It was cruel but apt.
He retied the ribbons and said, “I’ll keep this if I may. When are the solicitors coming down from London?”
“Not until after the funeral. I’ve spoken with them, and there are contingency measures to see to the running of the estate, that’s no problem. Frankly, I don’t think Lettice is up to hearing the Will read, and I told them as much.”
“I expect to have the Inquest tomorrow.”
“Adjourned, of course?” he asked, one eyebrow raised.
“For the time being. Yes.” Rutledge considered him. “Did you ever have a falling-out with Harris?”
Royston shrugged. “We didn’t always see eye to eye on management of the estate. But you don’t kill a man over marrows and hay. Or a new barn.”
“Did you envy him? After twenty years, Mallows must carry your imprint more than his. But Harris survived his wars. He came home, eager to take charge. If Miss Wood inherited, you’d be master here again. In all but name.”
“No,” he said tightly. “That’s ridiculous.” But then he glanced away.
“Are you in financial trouble of any sort?” There was a sizable