Page 52 of Their Brazen Countess
There was only one place she could turn under the circumstances.
Jo knocked firmly on the door and waited. When Harris opened the door, she rushed inside. “Good day, Harris. I hope your father is getting on?”
The stoic man nodded. “Indeed he is, my lady.”
“Excellent! I do wish to hear more about your family, but I need to find Arthur and Linc immediately.”
“I believe they are in the study, my lady.” Harris provided the information as he began walking in that direction. Jo followed closely on his heels, grateful for his prompt action. He knocked and opened the door. “Lady Whitestone, to see you both with some degree of urgen—”
She stepped into the room and turned to Harris. “Can you see Lord Whitestone to the nursery?”
“Of course, my lady.” Harris nodded and took her son’s hand in his as he led him from the room.
Arthur and Linc had both risen at her sudden appearance. “Jo, what’s wrong?”
She flew to them, throwing herself into Linc’s arms as he was the first one she reached. “It’s—it’s Bernard. That odious man has cancelled all of my credit with the merchants I frequent and has spoken with my late husband’s solicitor, ensuring he has complete control over all of my finances. That is how he is paying for the staff he hired. He is using my money!”
“Sit down and tell us everything.” Arthur urged after embracing her tightly. “I’m sure we can sort this matter out.”
Half an hour later, after she had explained everything, Arthur sat next to her and growled, “Who is your late husband’s solicitor?”
“Mr. Whitaker of Whitaker, Burrows, and Jones.”
“I believe we owe the man a visit.” Arthur rose with a tight jaw. “Jo, you should come with us. Matthew will be safe here with Harris and Nancy while we take care of business.”
*
“Good afternoon Mr. Whitaker. I appreciate you seeing us without an appointment, but as you can imagine, this is a matter of some urgency.” Arthur smiled smoothly as they sat down in the man’s office.
“Of course, my lord.” The obsequious little man bowed and took his own seat. “How may I be of service?”
“Baron Lincolnshire and I are concerned about Lady Whitestone’s finances. She has come to us with some disturbing information.” Arthur let one eyebrow drift up. “It seems her brother-in-law, Lord Downs, has established some sort of stewardship over her accounts.”
The little man puffed up across the desk. “Well, Lord Downs indicated that with his brother’s passing, he would oversee Lady Whitestone’s accounts moving forward.”
“I see.” Arthur let the comment draw out, along with its subsequent silence. “Is there a particular reason Lady Downs is not being consulted over her own money?”
“Look, my lord,” the man began, his tone somewhat patronizing. “I find in my experience that women tend to be overwhelmed by such financial dealings. It is better when they have a male relative manage such matters on their behalf. Her son is so young, she cannot possibly—”
“Is that so, Mr. Whitaker?” Jo shot him an arch look as she sat stiffly in her chair. “So it would be beyond my ability to manage any decisions related to my annual income, despite the fact that I manage the household budgets, maintain inventory, and handle all payments to household suppliers every month?”
“Surely you can understand, my lady…” The man looked abashed at being called out.
“Surely you can understand I do not appreciate having my finances usurped by an unwanted interloper who has replaced all of my loyal staff with underlings of his choosing? Or that I do not appreciate being cut out of decision making that is directly affecting my life.”
The man of accounts cleared his throat in the awkward silence. “I assure you, Lord Downs only has your best interests at heart, my lady.”
“You see Mr. Whitaker,” Arthur cut in. “If you cannot see your way clear to assist Lady Whitestone as she should be, and without Lord Downs’ interference, we shall have to aid her in moving her accounts to my own man of affairs, Mr. Dunraven. I am certain he will see his way clear to conduct business with Lady Whitestone while protecting her interests from grasping relatives who have no authority over her finances.”
“Why…I…I… Yes, of course my lord.” The man sighed and sat back in his chair in defeat.
“Now, I would like to begin this new arrangement by conducting a full audit of all decisions made by Lord Downs since my husband’s death.” Jo announced.
“Very good, my lady. We can schedule that for three—”
“I’m afraid you misunderstood me, Mr. Whitaker. We shall conduct that audit now.” Jo gave him an imperious look.
“But my lady, I have other clients this morning,” he objected, almost angrily.
