Such misery, and for what? So an intelligent, healthy, reasonably good-looking, and outlandishly charming grown man could survive on schoolboy schemes and think himself clever.

“You expect Mrs. Merridew to surrender the deed to the house in exchange for a promissory note?” Tremont asked when Drees came to a pause in his droning.

“That is how the agreement reads,” Drees said, “the draft agreement. Perhaps you are unfamiliar with real estate transactions here in the capital, Mr. Glover? When a provincial banking institution is involved, and with the posts being unreliable, the promissory note assures good faith and a contractual obligation. The courts are happy to enforce such obligations, provided good fellows such as ourselves write them up properly.”

He offered a vicar’s patient smile to a gossipy dowager.

Tremont offered the same smile, not to Drees, but to Harry, the poor sod who had the misfortune to retain such a bumbler as his attorney.

“And because,” Tremont said, “the posts are unreliable, the courts slow and whimsical, and a widow’s lot trying at best, I could not advise Mrs. Merridew to accept anything other than cash or a bank note—made out on a London account—before she executes the deed. When the funds are in her account, she will surrender that deed to me for transfer to you, Mr. Drees.”

Ye gods, Marcus sounded for all the world as if he were indeed a lawyer. And yet, the legal posturing was just that, because Harry had no intention of paying for the house and probably no ability to pay for it either.

Drees grasped his lapels and filled his oratory sails, clearly prepared to lecture Tremont into submission, and that bootless endeavor could go on for the rest of the afternoon. Matilda was abruptly unwilling to afford Mr. Drees a captive audience.

“If you lawyerly gentlemen will absent yourselves,” she said, “Mr. Merriman and I will take a moment to confer directly.”

“I cannot approve,” Drees said, shaking a finger at Matilda. “Rank foolishness to allow the clients to go off in corners. Never a sound idea. Glover doubtless agrees with me.”

Marcus gathered up the paper and pencil he’d used for taking notes and aimed a look at Matilda over his satchel.

“I take my orders from Mrs. Merridew,” he said. “If she seeks a moment to negotiate directly with the prospective buyer, then I am prepared to do as I’m told, though I will remain just beyond the door, available to my client at a moment’s notice.”

“I’m happy to hear what Mrs. Merridew has to say,” Harry so helpfully added. “In my experience, lawyers can needlessly complicate the simplest transactions.”

“I leave under protest,” Drees said, heaving to his feet. “Let the record reflect my protestations. Glover, you are my witness.”