‘Kidding aside, you’ve a right to ask. You know as well as I do that more often than not the gentry who own these big estates are virtual paupers. Every day there’s another one selling off bits and pieces at auction, flogging cream teas and opening the ancestral pile to the public. Damned shame if you ask me.’
At a pause in the conversation, Kingston got up and prodded the smouldering logs, bringing them to flame, spitting sparks up the chimney. ‘This chap Mainwaring,’ he said, sitting down, leaning back in the overstuffed chair. ‘How long was he with Ryder?’
Latimer took a sip of coffee. It must have been his fourth or fifth cup of the evening but he seemed remarkably relaxed. ‘Can’t be certain—about fifteen years, I believe.’
‘Jamie said that he wasn’t very well liked. “Creepy bugger” I think were the words she said one of the villagers used.’
‘A reasonably accurate description, I would say. Not exactly Prince Charming, that’s for sure.’
Kingston crossed his legs, turning sideways to the fire, which was now throwing off enough heat at trouser cuff distance to toast bread. ‘David, I should mention that Jamie has been quite open with me about her newfound wealth. I’m continually amazed how she seems able to take it all in her stride. Most young women today would have a difficult time adjusting to it all, I would think.’
‘Couldn’t agree more. When I first learned that she was to inherit the estate, I’ve got to admit, I expected the worst. I pictured having to deal with one of those frightful tabloid bimbos with a hundred-word vocabulary.’
Kingston nodded. ‘About the exact opposite, eh?’
‘Yes, thankfully. I think the world of Jamie and I really admire what she’s doing here.’ He smiled. ‘Roping you in, included—and I know that’s no easy task.’
‘She’s quite a saleslady, too. But getting back to this Mainwaring chap, she mentioned that he also received a sum of money from the estate.’
‘He did, yes, a decent amount. Anyway, sufficient to make most people happy.’
Kingston cleared his throat. ‘I know I probably shouldn’t be asking you this but if he was in Ryder’s employ for fifteen years, wouldn’t it be expected that he would anticipate getting a sizeable chunk of the estate when Ryder passed away? Particularly since he would most certainly be aware of Ryder’s having no heirs within the family.’
Latimer was smiling again. ‘Well, since confidentiality as far as Ryder is concerned is no longer a consideration I can tell you that Mainwaring was surprised. Not only surprised but very upset.’ He stared into the fire for a moment as if he were choosing his words, then looked back at Kingston. His smile was gone. ‘There’s no reason for you to mention this to Jamie, or anyone else for that matter, but when I read Mainwaring the part of the will that concerned him, it clearly came as a terrible shock to him to learn that Jamie was going to inherit Wickersham. He wasn’t mad or furious—anything like that—it was as if he simply couldn’t believe what he was hearing. As if there’d been some awful mistake. I remember the long silence that followed when I’d finished. To tell the truth, I was a bit worried at the time because he looked as if he might explode any moment and things could turn nasty. But he didn’t.’ Latimer thought for a moment then sighed. ‘In retrospect, I think it was a huge letdown for him.’
‘Did he finally calm down?’
‘Somewhat, but not after accusing me of influencing Ryder. I told him that I’d never met Ryder and that a former partner, who was now deceased, handled Ryder’s affairs. Despite my explaining that there was no doubt or ambiguity to Ryder’s will, he didn’t want to listen to reason. He insisted that he’d been swindled.’
‘He never got violent, though?’
‘No, thankfully. He finally took all the documents and the unopened envelope addressed to him and left.’
‘Envelope? What was that all about?’
‘It’s not uncommon for the testator to request sealed letters of a personal nature be given to one or more beneficiaries in a bequest. It could well have been a letter from Ryder explaining the reasons for his decision. Maybe he felt Mainwaring was owed that courtesy.’
‘Mainwaring didn’t open it in front of you, then?’
‘No, not that I necessarily expected him to. It was irrelevant, none of my business.’
‘He just left after that?’
‘For God’s sake, Lawrence, why on earth does all this matter, now?’
Kingston shrugged. ‘You’re right. It’s water under the bridge. Too many questions can become annoying.’