Page 22 of The Uncouth Duke of Longford
Andrew shook his head. “No, there is no signature here. And with no seal in the wax, it is impossible to determine who wrote it.”
Lord Wrexham rubbed his chin. “And no knowledge as to where it came from? The butler would not have taken note?”
“I do not think so,” Andrew replied, quietly. “I do not know what to make of it, I must confess.”
His friend frowned. “Will you take it seriously?”
“I think I should, though I do not know who it is that would mean me harm. I have no enemies.”
“Not that you know of, anyway.”
Andrew’s eyebrows lifted. “Do you mean to say that there are those in society who wish me harm?”
Lord Wrexham managed a small smile. “That is not what I meant. I do not know anyone, no, just as you do not. However, that is not to say that there is no-one in society who would wish you to be harmed. Perhaps someone is upset with your demeanour or –”
“Someone who would wish me grievous harm, though?” Andrew queried, frowning. “That does not make any particular sense. There would be a great disservice done to someone, I think, rather than someone who would think me disagreeable or the like. I have not upset anyone, I have not insulted anyone or the like. There must be something serious here that I am unaware of.”
Lord Wrexham got up and then went to pour them both a little brandy, bringing a glass over to Andrew who accepted it without hesitation, grateful for his friend’s consideration.
“Do you think that this might be related to your father’s passing?”
Andrew frowned, his heart slamming against his ribs for a moment. “What do you mean?”
“I mean simply that. I wonder if this is related to the passing of your father. After all, if you were concerned that your father’s situation was not natural, that there was something untoward about it, then could it not be that whoever thought to harm your father might now seek to harm you?”
Considering this, Andrew shook his head. “I do not know. I am still uncertain as to whether or not my father’s accident – theaccident which led to his death – has any true darkness. It might just have been an accident.”
“But you are not entirely convinced either way.”
Andrew shook his head.
“But then surely my suggestion is a good one,” his friend continued, before taking a sip of his brandy.
“I cannot be sure of anything. Nor can I understand why whoever has written to me has done so without putting their name to the letter.”
“Because they clearly wish to remain secret.”
“But why? Why not put their name to the letter and tell me precisely who it is? What could be their purpose in standing back from such details? That would give me the very best warning, would it not? If they put their name to it then I would be able to understand who they were and their motivations for speaking to me about such things.”
Lord Wrexham shook his head. “They must have their reasons.”
“But what are those reasons?” Andrew questioned. “They have only given me confusion and doubt rather than clarity.”
After a few moments, Lord Wrexham let out a small breath and then shook his head. “As I have said, they must have their reasons for being so particular and so cautious. My only question now is whether or not you will be willing to do as they have suggested.”
Andrew frowned. “What do you mean?”
“Will you be cautious? Will you be careful? Will you be more cautious as you make your way through society?”
“I do not even know what I am to look for!” Andrew exclaimed, his brandy sloshing wildly in the glass. “How can I even know what to do?”
“I… I do not know precisely but perhaps you ought to consider all that has been said,” his friend replied, slowly. “Lookabout you a little more. Be cautious as to who you befriend, who you speak to.”
“Given that I speak to very few people, that will not be particularly difficult,” Andrew replied, a little ruefully. “But yes, I will consider what has been written to me, of course. Someone has clearly got enough concern for my welfare so as to write to me.”
“And perhaps has done so by placing themselves in danger,” Lord Wrexham suggested, his brow furrowed. “Please be cautious, old friend. I should not like what happened to your father to happen to you also.”
Andrew shook his head, quickly dismissing such a thing. “I do not think that anything akin to that will happen to me.”
