The Second Son Read online

  “Thank you my Lord, have a pleasant day.”

  “You too, old man,” replied Grenville as the barrier opened and Preston drove out of the docks.

  On the way, back to Hampton Hall, Grenville fell asleep. Preston smiled at the softly snoring future Duke of Hampshire. Back at the hall Preston reversed back into the garages, and Grenville and Preston manhandled the crates off and stacked them on a low bench in the corner of the garage. Preston took a tyre iron from the bench and opened the first crate; on top was just as the manifest said, “tractor parts”. Removing these down to a layer of plastic, underneath was a hoard of silver and gold. Preston opened the other two crates and, once again, to a casual inspection they contained tractor parts.

  Grenville said, “A lot of gold and silver there.”

  “Indeed, my Lord,” replied Preston, “are you going to take the items up to London, to Liebermann?”

  Smiling, Grenville replied, “I am sure Liebermann will be able to give us a good price for the lot.” Grenville continued, “Preston, I will leave you to sort out the crates and place the items in suitable containers ready for transit, if that’s OK old man.”

  “Of course, my Lord, leave it all to me,” said Preston, smiling. Grenville turned and started to walk back towards the house.

  Later that evening after dinner, Sara asked Grenville how his day went.

  “Most profitable, my love,” was all he would say. Sara never pushed him for any further details.

  Next day just after breakfast, they heard a horn being honked looking out of the windows. Sara said, “It’s my parents,” rushing from the room.

  “Be nice,” said Sofia to the Duke, “always,” as she followed Sara out to meet her parents.

  “Cannot stand the fellow,” said the Duke, “bloody social climber,” he went on.

  “It’s for Sara and mother,” said Grenville.

  “Lucky then, or I would chase them off with a bloody twelve gauge.” Grenville smiled and followed his father out of the room. Grenville was in no doubt he meant it.

  Sara was hugging her mother and father, as Grenville and his father joined the reunion on the hall steps. “Welcome,” said the Duke, shaking hands with Sara’s father and mother.

  Sofia said, “You remember my other son, Grenville,” she said, introducing Grenville to Sara’s parents.

  Grenville shook the offered hands. Grenville smiled and said, “Pleased to meet you, Mr and Mrs Farthing.”

  “Please call us Gerard and June,” Sara’s father said, smiling.

  “Lovely to meet you both,” said a smiling Grenville.

  “Pleasure is all ours, my Lord,” said Mr Farthing, smiling. Sara was watching the exchange between her father and Grenville and smiled. Grenville was a different entity to Stephan and his father would have a harder time trying to win over Grenville as easily as he did Stephan.

  Grenville smiled at Sara’s mother and realised who Sara took after; even now she was still a good-looking lady, and far more friendly and open than her husband.

  “Shall we?” said the Duke, pointing to the Hall doors. “Preston, please can you arrange for the Farthing’s luggage to be sent to their room?” asked the Duke.

  “Of course, your Grace,” replied Preston, bowing.

  In the lounge, Sara sat next to her mother and Grenville sat next to his mother, while the Duke and Gerard stood by the unlit open fire place.

  The Duke asked, “Good trip down?”

  “Light traffic,” replied Gerard.

  “Dinner will be at eight,” said the Duchess. “Hope that is acceptable with everyone,” she continued, smiling.

  “Excellent,” said the Duke, and the Farthings smiled and nodded in agreement.

  Grenville stood and beckoned Sara to his side. Sara’s parents looked puzzled. Grenville said, “Mr and Mrs Farthing, Gerard and June, this weekend was not just a social visit, we had an ulterior motive to invite you down to the Hall this weekend, as I have something to ask you.” Both Gerard and June looked at each other in confusion. “I have fallen in love with your daughter, and would like to ask your permission for her hand in marriage.” The Farthings looked totally stunned by Grenville’s speech.

  Sara’s mother was the first to speak. “Sara, is this what you want?”

  “I love him,” said Sara, taking Grenville’s hand in hers.

  “Who are we to stand in the way of love?” said Sara’s father. Grenville looked at his face and could see total relief that his daughter was still going to marry well.

  Sara’s mother started to cry and say, “Oh my darling, I am so pleased for you, come here and give me a hug.” Sara went to her mother and hugged her, placing her ring back on her finger and showing it to her mother.

  Grenville took the offered hand from Sara’s father. The Duke and Duchess congratulated the Farthings and once again welcomed then to the family.

  “Have you set a date yet?” asked Sara’s mother.

  “We been waiting for your visit to discuss it,” replied the Duchess.

  “Most kind,” said Sara’s mother. “Do you have anything in mind?” asked Sara’s mother.

  Sara looked at Sofia and smiled. “What about next July?” said Sara.

  “Excellent,” said Sara’s mother.

  “Give us a good time to plan, and of course you must hold the reception here at the Hall,” said Sofia, smiling.

  Gerard said, “That is most kind of you both.”

  “Yes, thank you,” smiled Sara’s mother.

  After dinner, the men retired to the Duke’s study. “How is business?” asked the Duke, smiling.

  Gerard replied, “Very well, the furniture industry is doing rather well in this current economic climate. I heard a rumour that your estate was struggling until recently,” Gerard asked casually.

  Grenville looked at his father and smiled; so here it was, Farthing had begun fishing. Grenville wondered if he was in league with Dexter Simon-Smyth. The Duke smiled. “Just spiteful rumours put about by nasty people,” said the Duke, smiling at Grenville.

  Gerard looked at Grenville and said, “I also hear your time away was most profitable and you had a lucky windfall, my Lord.”

  “I think the luck was me returning when I did,” said Grenville, smiling.

  “Still, a great relief to everyone, now the rumours are found untrue. After all losing the family home would have been devastating,” said Gerard, Grenville wondered if Farthing would have been after Hampton Hall for himself. Grenville decided to give Farthing a test.

  “Simon-Smyth and his bank tried to default the estate with a court order, but we were able to fend off his attempt,” said Grenville.

  “I did hear that,” said Gerard with a smile that did not reach his eyes.

  “Do you know Simon-Smyth, by any chance?” Grenville asked casually.

  “Only as an acquaintance of your later brother Stephan,” replied Gerard, much too quickly for Grenville. So, he did know about Simon-Smyth’s plan to obtain the hall, thought Grenville; now for the bait.

  “Of course,” Grenville said, “we as a family are not going to take this lying down, I personally am going to ruin anyone that had anything to do with trying to take my family estate away from me.”

  “Brave words, can you back them up?” said Gerard with a light laugh.

  “Yes, I can, fifty million times,” said Grenville, staring at Gerard without a smile.

  Gerard looked shocked and finally said in a joking voice, “Well, lucky we are going to be family.” Grenville hoped he would report back to Simon-Smyth with what had been said tonight; the battle lines had been drawn.

  Next day after breakfast Grenville excused himself and went to find Preston. Finding Preston in the kitchen having a cup of coffee, Grenville sat down opposite and said, “So how was your sorting?”

  Preston passed Grenville a folded piece of paper and said, “Two holdalls under the work bench in the garage office, one full of trinkets, one full of gold, ready for you to tak
e to London.”

  Grenville looked at the piece of paper and smiled. “Excellent job, Preston, my dear chap.”

  “Always glad to help you, my Lord,” said Preston smiling.

  Next day Grenville announced he was off to London on some business, and could he borrow Newton and the Rolls again? Sara said she would stay at the Hall and go over some arrangements with Sofia, and her mother, the Duke and Farthing were off to do some shooting.

  Before he left, Grenville made two phone calls; one to Liebermann to book another appointment for that afternoon. After a short pause the receptionist said it was convenient for twelve noon. The second call was to Hugo to enquire if he was free to meet him at Liebermann’s for the appointment. Hugo agreed to meet him there at the appointed time. Newton loaded the two holdalls into the car before they set off for London.

  Once in Hatton Garden, Grenville asked Newton if he had any shopping to do.

  Newton smiled and said, “What time would his lordship like to be picked up?”

  “Shall we say two?” replied Grenville.

  Newton took the two holdalls into Liebermann’s reception for Grenville, saluted and said, “Until later, my Lord.”

  “Thank you, Newton,” replied Grenville as he watched Newton return to the Rolls and drive away.

  Grenville smiled at the Liebermann receptionist and said, “Hello,” but before Grenville had a chance to say anything else she replied, “Good day my Lord. Mr Fisher is expecting you, please take a seat and I will see if he is free,” she said, smiling. Grenville did not take a seat but stood staring out of the doors of Liebermann, as he was expecting Hugo any minute. Smiling, Grenville spotted Hugo walking towards the Liebermann building.

  On seeing Hugo, Grenville went out of the building to greet Hugo. Embracing, Grenville said, “Thanks for meeting me on such short notice, old boy.”

  “My pleasure, dear chap,” replied Hugo.

  “Shall we go in?” said Grenville. Hugo gestured Grenville to lead the way; on entering, Mr Fisher was already waiting for them.

  On seeing Grenville, Mr Fisher smiled and said, “Welcome back my Lord, hope all is well with you.”

  “Thank you, very well indeed,” said Grenville, “may I introduce my financial advisor, Mr Hugo Thorpe?”

  Holding out his hand, Mr Fisher welcomed Hugo and smiled. “Before we continue, is there an office Mr Thorpe and myself can use for a minute to discuss some urgent private business?”

  “Of course, my Lord, please wait here a moment,” said Mr Fisher.

  A few moments later Mr Fisher returned with Mr Yoshie, who Grenville first met on his first visit. Smiling, Mr Yoshie bowed slightly and said, “Welcome back, my Lord.”

  Grenville said, “Thank you, sorry to cause such a fuss, I know you must be busy.”

  Smiling, Mr Yoshie said, “Always a pleasure, my Lord. Can I take your bags, and please follow me?”

  Mr Yoshie took the holdalls and walked towards his office. Mr Yoshie placed the holdalls in the room, bowed slightly and said, “When you are ready, please let me know and I will take you back to Mr Fisher.”

  “Thank you, most kind,” replied Grenville, smiling.

  Once the door was closed Hugo said, “Why the cloak and dagger?”

  Grenville replied, “Wanted you to take a quick glance over the merchandise first old bean, to see if you can shift anything.” Not sure what Grenville was on about, Hugo nodded and smiled and took a seat.

  Opening the holdalls, Hugo looked in and said, “Blimey,” which made Grenville laugh.

  “So, what do you think?” asked Grenville.

  Hugo studied the contents of both holdalls and after a few minutes said, “I guess I could shift the gold, but it has a set standard price, plus it might raise a few flags within the banking community, so I would leave it to this lot if they can shift it. But the other items, would not have a clue, old man.”

  “Thank you,” said Grenville. “At least we are both in the dark,” he said, laughing.

  Hugo started to laugh and said, “The blind leading the blind.”

  “Well, let’s go see,” said Grenville.

  As Grenville opened the door, Mr Yoshie was waiting, smiling, and said, “All finished, my Lord? Can I take your bags up to the fifth floor?”

  Grenville smiled and said, “Please lead the way, old man.”

  Once again as they stepped from the lift Mr Fisher was waiting for them. Smiling, he said, “This way my Lord.” Turning, he moved down the corridor towards the large oak doors at the bottom. Mr Fisher knocked once and heard, “Enter.” Opening the door, he stood aside to allow Grenville and Hugo to enter first. Grenville nodded to the three men sitting on the top table. Grenville went and sat at a vacant chair across from them, Hugo took the seat next to Grenville.

  After Mr Yoshie, had placed the two holdalls next to Grenville, the middle man said, “Welcome back my Lord. First, down to previous business. The diamonds and un-cut diamonds you left with us last time, we have appraised and cut and polished and we estimate your share will be thirty million pounds. I hope this is acceptable.”

  Grenville smiled and said, “Thank you, most generous, sir.”

  The man opened a folder and slid a banker’s draft over to Grenville. Grenville nodded and picked up the banker’s draft and without looking at it, handed it to Hugo. Hugo sat staring at the banker’s draft, before placing it in his briefcase.

  The man to the right said, “So what have you brought us this time, my Lord?”

  Grenville and Hugo both placed the contents of the holdalls on the table in front of the three men. Even they seemed impressed with the contents. “I understand that this is not your normal field of expertise and an appraisal today is out of the question as you will need time to examine and study them,” said Grenville, gesturing over the items on the table.

  “Thank you, most kind,” said the second man.

  “Once you have made your appraisal and have come to a fair price, can I ask you contact Mr Thorpe here,” said Grenville, pointing at Hugo, “he is my financial advisor and has my compete confidence.”

  The man in the middle smiled and said, “Of course, my Lord. Please, Mr Thorpe, can you give the contact details to Mr Fisher before you leave?”

  Hugo nodded in agreement. Grenville and Hugo stood, and Grenville said, “Thank you once again for your indulgence, gentlemen.”

  “Our pleasure,” said the middle man.

  Once outside, Hugo turned to Grenville and said, “Thirty million.”

  “I know,” said Grenville, “nice little fund top up.”

  “I need to go to the bank, having this much money on me is insane,” said a laughing Hugo.

  Grenville hugged Hugo and said, “Until next meeting at the Hall.”

  “Absolutely, old chap,” said Hugo as he flagged down a passing taxi.

  Grenville did not have to wait long until he spotted Newton and the Rolls coming down the street. Grenville smiled to himself; a nice day’s work. Newton pulled up to the curb and Grenville got in. “Home, Newton, if you please,” said Grenville.

  “As you wish, my Lord,” replied Newton as he merged back into the flowing traffic.

  Once again, the three men watched Hugo and Grenville depart. “Young Hampton has done better than even I expected,” said the middle man.

  “Most lucrative dealings,” said the left man.

  “Let’s still keep an eye on him,” said the other man.

  “Agreed,” said the other two in unison.

  Back at the Hall, Grenville found everyone in the lounge, apart from Sara’s parents. Kissing Sara and his mother and shaking his father’s hand, Grenville said, “Everyone have a good day?”

  “Excellent,” said his father, smiling. “Bagged a few grouse for the pot.”

  Sara said, “We have made a few plans for our wedding.”

  “Wonderful,” said Grenville smiling.

  “But I suspect like your father and our wedding planning, you would lik
e to leave it to us ladies,” said his mother, smiling.

  “Mother as always your powers of perception are amazing and you know me so well,” replied Grenville, laughing.

  The rest of the weekend went too quickly for Sara and eventually they were on the steps bidding her parents goodbye. “Keep me posted on any plans,” said her mother as she hugged Sara.

  Shaking Grenville’s hand, Gerard said, “Until next time, my Lord.”

  Grenville nodded and said, “Until next time, Gerard.”

  Grenville kissed Sara’s mother. Gerard hugged his daughter and said, “My darling, be safe.” Farthing honked as he drove down the drive towards the main gate. Grenville took Sara’s hand and smiled as they waved at the departing car. Grenville smiled to himself, and decided this was perhaps one little secret he should keep from Sara; after all it had been an enlightening week.

  Wednesday came and Sara and Grenville were in the dining room waiting for the others to arrive for their monthly meeting. Sara said, “You know one thing you need to do?”

  “Really, cannot think,” replied Grenville.

  “You need to go see Tom’s mother and tell her about Tom,” said Sara.

  “Oh, dear yes, totally forgot,” said Grenville, “how did I ever live without you?”

  “Badly,” replied a laughing Sara.

  Grenville took her in his arms and kissed her. “I love you, Miss Farthing,” said Grenville.

  “I love you too, Mr Hampton,” Sara replied. Looking out of the window, Sara said, “A taxi has arrived, must be them,” taking Grenville’s hand and leading him towards the front doors. This time all three of them arrived in the one taxi.

  Grenville and Sara waited on the top step. Carole was the first to greet them, hugging both Sara and Grenville. Hugo and Jonathan were more leisurely in their greetings. “Shall we?” said Grenville, pointing to the house. Turning, they all followed Grenville into the library.