Daniel took the chair indicated, but he turned it slightly so Mrs. Dunstan would not be in his eye line. His mind raced like a leaf on a breeze, scudding about, flipping and tossing with no ability to control its movement.

What was she doing here? How did it involve Haverly? Was this a mission, and if so, why hold the briefing at a law office? Who was the other woman? An agent? Why was the valet here? Was he also an agent?

Daniel wanted some answers. His hands fisted on his thighs beneath the polished tabletop.

Mr. Moody cleared his throat. “Thank you all for attending. This meeting is for the purpose of reading the last will and testament of John David Darby, Seventh Earl of Rotherhide.”

Daniel’s gaze flicked to Haverly. Not an assignment for the Crown. But why include Daniel for the reading of a will? He’d met the earl only once, briefly, just over a week ago. He had read of the old man’s passing in the newspaper and had idly wondered when his grandson would return, but beyond that he’d given the matter no thought.

“We, the lawyers at Coles, Franks & Moody, have been the legal advisers to the House of Rotherhide for nearly two decades, and as such have held the certified will and testament of the seventh earl since we aided him in drafting it years ago. Over those years he has made provisos and addenda and has completely redrafted the document twice. In the past forty-eight hours, since the earl’s passing, we have come into possession of a final codicil to his will that involves each of you here.”

Again Daniel was stunned. How could he figure into the will of a stranger, be he earl or beggar?

“Mr. Cooper, long the faithful servant of his lordship, has delivered the codicil, which is, in fact, a deathbed confession of a most serious nature. Mr. Cooper is here to testify that he took down in his own hand the document provided six months ago when his employer first took ill and before his mind began to fade, and that the earl’s physician, one Dr. Plimpton, witnessed the document with his own signature.”

The old valet nodded, his eyes grieved. Poor old fellow. He’d served the earl a long time. Would the new one have a place for an old retainer like Cooper, or would he be swept out to a pension when the new earl took up residence?

“I shall now read the codicil, which will detail some facts hitherto unknown. Be advised that the information laid out here as facts will have to be thoroughly researched and verified before the earl’s wishes can be carried out, but rest assured, they will be investigated and every pain taken to ensure they are true before moving on.”