Frowning, Jasper broke open the wax seal and began to read. As he did so, Charlie, Alfred, and Daisy trotted down to join them.

“Famous!” Alfred exclaimed on seeing Cossack. “He’s nearly as big as Quintus!”

“May I pet him?” Daisy asked.

“You may,” Julia said. “Charlie? Would you take charge of him for me? I’m sure he’d like to graze while you all get to know him.”

Charlie stood a little straighter. Taking the lead rope from Julia’s hand, he walked Cossack further out on the grass. Alfred and Daisy went with him, Alfred chattering all the while.

Julia turned her attention back to Jasper. The expression on his face sparked a flicker of apprehension in her veins. “What is it?”

He passed her the letter. “It seems Ridgeway has made us a wedding present.”

Julia quickly read the brief note for herself.

Blunt,

I’ve entrusted your horses to Plimstock for the journey. He’s a decent fellow and a competent groom, though not suited for London at present. His wages have been paid for the year. Please accept him, along with the carriage and matched pair, as a wedding gift.

Yours, etc.

Ridgeway

Julia looked to the groom—Plimstock, apparently—and the two chestnuts who were grazing in a paddock next door to the one where Quintus was cavorting.

“Is there a particular reason you wish to remove from London?” Jasper asked the man.

“Aye, sir,” Plimstock said. “I’m Yorkshire born. My young lady resides in Malton. She’s in service to the squire there. We plan to marry as soon as we can settle our living arrangements. Lord Ridgeway said as how you might be in the way of giving us a cottage.”

Jasper’s frown deepened. “Did he, indeed.”

Julia waited until they were alone again to ask, “Are you displeased with Lord Ridgeway?”

Jasper walked alongside her up the drive to the house. The sun gleamed in the thick raven-black threads of his hair. He wasn’t wearing a hat, nor even a coat. Clad in black trousers and a plain black waistcoat, his shirtsleeves rolled up to reveal the sinewy muscles of his bronzed forearms, his appearance suggested he’d come straight from his work in the tower.

Whatever work that might be.

“No more than usual,” he said. “He’s been exceptionally generous. And I can’t claim we wouldn’t benefit from an extra pair of hands about the place—and an extra pair of horses.”

“What is it, then?”

“If we’re to house and feed them all, we can’t delay in getting access to your inheritance.”

She nodded in agreement. Thus far, her letter to the bank had gone unanswered. It was an ominous sign. She’d been anticipating the need for further action. “How do you plan to go about it?”

“I’ll speak to a solicitor,” he said. “I have a man in York. Mr. Piggott. He isn’t my first choice, but he’ll have to do for now.”

“Is there someone else you’d prefer?”

“Mr. Finchley in London seemed exceedingly competent. Ruthless, too. If any problems should arise, we’ll need a solicitor with teeth.”