This Was a Man (The Clifton Chronicles 7)

After spending a day at the British Museum, he had come across a reference which suggested that the fourth Duke of Hertford had led a diplomatic mission to Peking sometime in the early nineteenth century, on behalf of His Majesty’s government, and the two vases were probably a gift from the Emperor Jiaqing to mark the occasion. Li went on to remind the duchess, more than once, that this historical evidence would add considerable value to the pieces. A gift of two Ming vases from an emperor to a duke who was representing a king would have the auction world buzzing.

Mr. Li Wong was clearly disappointed when Virginia told him that if the duke were to part with the vases, it was most unlikely that he would want the world to know he was selling off a family heirloom.

“Perhaps his grace would agree to the simple nomenclature, ‘the property of a nobleman’?” suggested the Chinese expert.

“A most satisfactory compromise,” agreed the duchess, who didn’t accompany Li to the station, as he would be safely back in London long before the duke boarded his train for Hertford.

* * *

As Virginia knocked on the door of the duke’s study, it brought back memories of being summoned by her father to be given a lecture on her shortcomings. But not today. She was about to be told the finer details of Perry’s will.

He had asked her during breakfast to join him in his study around eleven, as he was seeing the family solicitor at ten to discuss the contents of his will, and in particular the wording of the proposed codicil. He reminded Virginia that she still hadn’t told him if there was anything she would particularly like as a keepsake.

As she entered her husband’s study, Perry and the solicitor immediately rose from their places and remained standing until she had taken the seat between them.

“Your timing couldn’t be better,” said Perry, “because I’ve just agreed the wording of a new codicil that concerns you, and which Mr. Blatchford will attach to my will.”

Virginia bowed her head.

“I fear, Mr. Blatchford,” said the duke, “that my wife finds this whole experience a little distressing, but I have managed to convince her that one has to deal with such matters if the taxman is not to become your next of kin.” Blatchford nodded sagely. “Perhaps you would be kind enough to take the duchess through the details of the codicil, so we need never refer to the subject again.”

“Certainly, your grace,” said the elderly solicitor, who looked as if he might die before Perry. “On the duke’s demise,” he continued, “you will be given a house on the estate along with the appropriate staff to assist you. You will also receive a monthly stipend of five thousand pounds.”

“Will that be enough, old gal?” interrupted the duke.

“More than enough, my darling,” said Virginia quietly. “Don’t forget that my dear brother still provides me with a monthly allowance, which I never manage to spend.”

“I understand,” continued Blatchford, “that the duke has asked you to choose some personal memento to remember him by. I wonder if you have decided what that might be?”

It was some time before Virginia raised her head and said, “Perry has a walking stick that would remind me of him whenever I take my evening stroll around the garden.”

“Surely you’d like something a little more substantial than that, old gal?”

“No, that will be quite enough, my darling.” Virginia was quiet for some time before she added, “Although I confess there are a couple of old vases gathering dust below stairs that I’ve always admired, but only if you could bear to part with them.” Virginia held her breath.

“There’s no mention of them in the family inventory,” said Blatchford, “so with your permission, your grace, I’ll add the walking stick along with the pair of vases to the codicil, and then you can engross the final copy.”

“Of course, of course,” said the duke, who hadn’t been below stairs since he was a boy.

“Thank you, Perry,” said Virginia, “that’s so very generous of you. While you’re here, Mr. Blatchford, could I ask for your guidance on another matter?”

“Of course, your grace.”

“Perhaps I should also be thinking about making a will.”

“Very wise, if I may say so, your grace. I’ll be happy to draw one up for you. Perhaps I can make an appointment to see you on some other occasion?”

“That won’t be necessary, Mr. Blatchford. I intend to leave everything I possess to my beloved husband.”

33

TWENTY MINUTES LATER an ambulance, siren blaring, pulled up outside the castle gates.

Two orderlies, under the direction of Virginia, followed her quickly up to the duke’s bedroom. They lifted him gently onto the stretcher and then proceeded slowly back downstairs. She held Perry’s hand and he managed a weak smile as they lifted him into

the ambulance.

Virginia climbed in and sat on the bench beside her husband, never letting go of his hand as the ambulance sped through the countryside. After another twenty minutes they arrived at the local cottage hospital.