Chapter FourThe Earl looked up from the newspaper he was reading to see his secretary standing just inside the door of the library.
“What is it, Richardson?” he asked.
“Could I speak to you for a moment, my Lord?”
“Of course,” the Earl replied, setting down his newspaper.
He noted that Mr. Richardson looked worried as he moved across the room towards him.
A middle-aged man, he had been with the Earl’s father before him and knew more about the Staverton houses, estates and possessions than either of their owners did.
He was tactful with the servants and employees and at the same time kept a firm hand on every detail so that the Earl knew that, unlike what happened in so many aristocratic houses, food was not being sold by his chefs and his butlers were not stealing the wine.
“What is
