This Was a Man (The Clifton Chronicles 7)

* * *

“She’s willing to make an offer?” said Ellie May. “But I thought she was penniless?”

“So did I,” admitted Lord Goodman. “I have it on good authority that she was cut out of her father’s will and her only income is a modest monthly allowance supplied by her brother.”

“How much is she offering?”

“One million pounds, to be paid in ten equal instalments of one hundred thousand pounds over the next ten years.”

“But she stole two million from my husband!” said Ellie May. “She can go to hell.”

“I sympathize with your feelings, Mrs. Grant, but when I received the letter I decided to have an off-the-record conversation with Sir Edward Makepeace QC, who has represented the Fenwick family for many years. He made it clear that this offer represents a full and final settlement, and there is, to quote him, no wiggle room. He added that were you to turn it down, he has been instructed to receive the writ on Lady Virginia’s behalf.”

“He’s bluffing.”

“I can assure you, Mrs. Grant, Sir Edward does not bluff.”

“So what do you think I should do?”

“I can appreciate why you would want to be repaid in full. However, if we were to go down that path, it might take several years to reach a settlement, and as we now know, Lady Virginia has enough money to cover her legal costs, so you might end up with nothing to show for it other than a large legal bill of your own. I’m not convinced it’s her own money she’s putting up—I suspect she’s got her brother, the tenth earl, to bail her out. However, even Lord Fenwick will have his limits.” Goodman hesitated. “And then we must consider all the other aspects of this case.”

“Like what?” asked Ellie May.

“Were the action to come to court, Lady Virginia would be ruined financially, and might possibly end up in prison.”

“Nothing would please me more.”

“At the same time, your husband’s reputation would also suffer.”

“How could that be possible, when he’s the innocent party?”

“Clearly, Mrs. Grant, you have not experienced the British press on the rampage.”

“I have no idea what you’re talking about.”

“Then let me assure you, this story would run and run in the tabloids, and I fear your husband would not come out of it smelling of roses. The papers will paint him as a naïve fool, and a cuckold.”

“Which is no more than the truth,” said Ellie May scornfully.

“Possibly, Mrs. Grant, but is that something you want to share with the whole world?”

“What’s the alternative?” she demanded.

“It’s my considered opinion that you should settle, unpalatable as that may seem. I suggest you accept the offer of a million pounds, return to America, and put this whole unpleasant experience behind you. I would, however, suggest one proviso: should Lady Virginia fail to honor any of the ten payments, she would still be liable for the full amount.” Lord Goodman waited for Ellie May’s response but she remained silent. “But you are the client, and naturally I will abide by your instructions, whatever they may be.”

“My late Scottish grandfather, Duncan Campbell, used to say, ‘Better a dollar in the bank, lass, than the promise of a dowry.’”

“Was he a lawyer, by any chance?” asked Goodman.

* * *

“It’s a damn good offer,” said Knowles.

“Perhaps a little too good,” said Sloane.

“What are you getting at?”

“I am, as you know, Jim, suspicious by nature. Mellor might well be locked up in prison but that doesn’t mean he’s lying on his bunk all day feeling sorry for himself. Don’t forget Belmarsh houses some of the top criminals in the country, and they’ll be only too happy to advise a man they think has money.”