‘Good morning and likewise, Lord Robert. I trust you found the note I left here earlier this morning? On my way to Shepherd Market.’

‘I did indeed, thank you. I suppose her ladyship herself let you know she was leaving Bolton Manor?’

‘Yes, she did, and went on to add that she was travelling with her friend Lady Glendenning, that they were going to the clinic in Zürich. She mentioned that you were aware your sons were on the estate with their tutor.’

‘Did she say how long she would be gone?’

‘No, she did not, m’lord.’

Robert nodded. ‘I always know where the boys are. They were supposed to be going to their grandparents with her.’ He frowned to himself. ‘I shall need to make some arrangements.’ He paused and then indicated a chair. ‘Now, down to business. Shall we go through the accounts first?’

Colin Wilson opened his briefcase and took out several files, explaining, ‘We’ve had a record season, sir, and I believe you’ll be pleased with the agricultural figures. Just one thing, Your Lordship, before we begin, I would like to discuss the dry-stone walls in the lower fields, as I mentioned when you were there last week. Some are in dire need of repair. I thought I ought to bring in the best stone-waller in Yorkshire, Sam Bell. What do you think, Lord Robert?’

‘By all means, do get Bell in to tackle them. It’s quite an art, building or mending those walls. No cement used, as you well know – just fitting the right stones together.’

‘I will hire him immediately,’ Wilson answered, and leaned across the desk and offered Robert the first file.

Lord Robert Lassiter cut quite a swathe as he walked out of Grosvenor Square, and headed down South Audley Street.

However, he was totally unaware of the admiring glances that passers-by gave him. As usual, his busy mind was preoccupied with thoughts of business, which pushed everything else to the side.

For the last few years, he had watched the enormous new building going up at Harrods, a department store in Knightsbridge. Fire had destroyed the original store, but what a success it had become, defying those who had predicted failure because it was so huge. Now he wanted to find an area to build a similar edifice, or a clutch of old buildings next to each other, which he could demolish.

He did not want to open and run the store. His desire was to design, build and sell it.

He was confident he would make a very high profit. In this instance, he knew he had nothing to lose, although he often pondered on that possibility at times. He was well aware he had to place the idea of loss in every equation.

Within minutes, he was entering the offices of Adrian’s bank, and being shown to the second floor.