“I sent Major Richardson here from Paris because my duties prevented me from coming myself,” the Earl replied. “I learnt that Mr. Andrews, who had looked after the estate in my uncle’s time, had died and the Solicitors suggested that I appoint a Manager in his place.”
“Mr. Andrews was a very conscientious man,” Dorina said, “who knew and understood the problems and difficulties of everybody who worked here. Major Richardson made the changes and gave the orders in your name and did not even call on my father or anyone else in the vicinity.”
The Earl found this hard to believe, but he did not say so. Instead, he answered,
“What I am going to suggest, Miss Stanfield, is that you let me find out exactly what has been happening in my absence, then – ”
Before he could say any more he was int
