warmth as he greeted his visitor.
‘Hello, David. How’s your father?’
‘He’s well, Mr Glendale. I apologise for calling on you like this, but if you could spare me a moment, I have something of importance I would like to discuss with you.’
‘No need for such formality. Call me Alex, if you please. Come into the sitting room, where we can be more comfortable.’
This was a promising start, and he stifled a sigh of relief. Glendale had a reputation for being distant and brusque at times, but David had only ever found him agreeable.They had met many times, but he was always conscious that Alexander Glendale was from an influential family. David’s father was highly respected, but they didn’t have the wealth and prestige of the Glendale family.
‘What would you like to drink?’ Alex was standing by a table with an array of decanters.
‘Whisky, please.’
After pouring them both a whisky, Alex sat down.
David didn’t waste any time. ‘Thank you for seeing me. I need your help, Alex.’ It sounded wrong addressing him by his Christian name, but he’d been told to do so.
‘Go on.’
He watched Alex’s expression change as he went into detail about the trouble the Melrose family were in. By the time he had finished, Alex was on his feet, fury evident on his strong features.
‘This is intolerable!’ he exploded. ‘I’d heard Edward was in debt and his father was going to pay it for him, but I had no idea they were about to lose their home. This can’t be allowed. What can we do?’
‘Well, I have a plan.’
Alex sat down and leant forward. ‘Tell me.’
Half an hour later there was silence as the plan was considered. Then Alex nodded. ‘Bring the boy to me, and don’t mention my involvement to anyone, especially Gertrude. The last thing we want is for her to interfere.’
He laughed at the wry expression on Alex’s face. ‘Not a word, I promise. I see you’re under no illusions about her character.’
‘None at all.’
He was struck by the realisation that this strong man and Gertrude would suit each other very well. He doubted it would be a tranquil union, but it would never be dull. ‘I don’t understand why she’s so hostile towards you.’
‘Perhaps she fears I would curb her independent nature.’
‘And would you?’ David couldn’t help asking.
‘I’ve never broken a spirited horse, and I wouldn’t do the same to a human being. Now, let us return to the problem in hand. I would love to see those men shamed, whether they are cheating or not. Their conduct towards Sutton Melrose is criminal. You approach the boy, and in the meantime I’ll see if there is a way to stop them losing their home. Gertrude may not like me, but I have a lot of respect for her parents.’
‘It would be a relief to me if you could, but they won’t take money from anyone. They consider this their problem and they must deal with it.’
‘I am aware of that. I would not insult them in that way. No, I will have to think of something they would accept.’
David stood up. ‘I’ll go to the bookshop tomorrow and find the boy. When would it be convenient to bring him here?’
‘I’ll be at home after two o’clock.’ Alex held out his hand. ‘Thank you for coming to me. We’ll see if we can sort out this mess between us.’
David felt as if a great weight had been lifted from him as he walked away from the house. Alex was a good man to have fighting for you.
How to approach Sutton Melrose with a proposal he would be able to accept had kept Alex awake most of the night. The Melrose family had their pride and would turn him down immediately at any hint of charity. The situation was delicate, but he had to see they didn’t lose their home. The only way he could do that was to make this a strictly business deal. Since his own family tragedy, he had had a greater understanding of the suffering of others. He was in a position to help, and he was damned well going to.
He grimaced as he
‘Hello, David. How’s your father?’
‘He’s well, Mr Glendale. I apologise for calling on you like this, but if you could spare me a moment, I have something of importance I would like to discuss with you.’
‘No need for such formality. Call me Alex, if you please. Come into the sitting room, where we can be more comfortable.’
This was a promising start, and he stifled a sigh of relief. Glendale had a reputation for being distant and brusque at times, but David had only ever found him agreeable.They had met many times, but he was always conscious that Alexander Glendale was from an influential family. David’s father was highly respected, but they didn’t have the wealth and prestige of the Glendale family.
‘What would you like to drink?’ Alex was standing by a table with an array of decanters.
‘Whisky, please.’
After pouring them both a whisky, Alex sat down.
David didn’t waste any time. ‘Thank you for seeing me. I need your help, Alex.’ It sounded wrong addressing him by his Christian name, but he’d been told to do so.
‘Go on.’
He watched Alex’s expression change as he went into detail about the trouble the Melrose family were in. By the time he had finished, Alex was on his feet, fury evident on his strong features.
‘This is intolerable!’ he exploded. ‘I’d heard Edward was in debt and his father was going to pay it for him, but I had no idea they were about to lose their home. This can’t be allowed. What can we do?’
‘Well, I have a plan.’
Alex sat down and leant forward. ‘Tell me.’
Half an hour later there was silence as the plan was considered. Then Alex nodded. ‘Bring the boy to me, and don’t mention my involvement to anyone, especially Gertrude. The last thing we want is for her to interfere.’
He laughed at the wry expression on Alex’s face. ‘Not a word, I promise. I see you’re under no illusions about her character.’
‘None at all.’
He was struck by the realisation that this strong man and Gertrude would suit each other very well. He doubted it would be a tranquil union, but it would never be dull. ‘I don’t understand why she’s so hostile towards you.’
‘Perhaps she fears I would curb her independent nature.’
‘And would you?’ David couldn’t help asking.
‘I’ve never broken a spirited horse, and I wouldn’t do the same to a human being. Now, let us return to the problem in hand. I would love to see those men shamed, whether they are cheating or not. Their conduct towards Sutton Melrose is criminal. You approach the boy, and in the meantime I’ll see if there is a way to stop them losing their home. Gertrude may not like me, but I have a lot of respect for her parents.’
‘It would be a relief to me if you could, but they won’t take money from anyone. They consider this their problem and they must deal with it.’
‘I am aware of that. I would not insult them in that way. No, I will have to think of something they would accept.’
David stood up. ‘I’ll go to the bookshop tomorrow and find the boy. When would it be convenient to bring him here?’
‘I’ll be at home after two o’clock.’ Alex held out his hand. ‘Thank you for coming to me. We’ll see if we can sort out this mess between us.’
David felt as if a great weight had been lifted from him as he walked away from the house. Alex was a good man to have fighting for you.
How to approach Sutton Melrose with a proposal he would be able to accept had kept Alex awake most of the night. The Melrose family had their pride and would turn him down immediately at any hint of charity. The situation was delicate, but he had to see they didn’t lose their home. The only way he could do that was to make this a strictly business deal. Since his own family tragedy, he had had a greater understanding of the suffering of others. He was in a position to help, and he was damned well going to.
He grimaced as he
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