The Settling of Scores

Chapter 33

Pleasant Hill Manor later that day

            "A missive came from Priscilla," Avery told Oliver as the man entered his study.

            "How are Priscilla and my Aunt Caroline getting along," Oliver asked as he poured a brandy and joined Avery seating himself across the desk from the earl.

            "My wife likes your aunt very much. They have agreed they met through Amanda and Lady Geraldine, in case anyone asks. Mr. Lesserton did not know your aunt and Priscilla is worried about how much he is sleeping. She wonders if we should send for a physician from London to see him.

            "She rode with Hollister this morning and while he questioned her about Lesserton she questioned him about the holidays here and found out Willingham was supposed to be visiting an aunt for Christmas, but she couldn't find out where he was supposed to have gone. Josh arrived to help Rider look after Lesserton. And my wife misses me," Avery said smiling.

            "And you miss her," Oliver added and grinned. "I've sent for another man to take Rider's place in town, Tyler Prescott and he should arrive later today. We will see what he learns about Willingham and Hollister. Did Priscilla say if my aunt is returning Lesserton to London?"

            "No they feel he is better off here where both Priscilla and your aunt can look after him. I gather he stays at a men's club when he is in London."

            "I really don't know," Oliver said. "I just know Aunt Caroline and Lesserton were good friends. I thought he had a large estate somewhere?"

            "Well if he does, your aunt said nothing to Priscilla about it. She may feel he needs a good woman looking after him and if she sends him home she won't be able to."

            "That does sound like my aunt," Oliver said smiling. "She probably wants to be in the thick of things if we can prove Hollister was behind the attack on her friend."

            "I just don't want either one of the ladies to get hurt before this is over with," Avery told his friend.

            "We have three men there to look after them, what could happen?"

                                                                *                   *                 *

            "I wish poor Benjamin could remember who he is and who I am," Lady Caroline told Priscilla over dinner. "He looks at me like a stranger."

            "You are a stranger to him," Priscilla replied. "He may never remember who he is." Doctor Terrance said as much when he came to see him today.

            "I can only hope he does one day," Lady Caroline said with a wistful sound to her voice. "If that man Hollister were here right now I would gladly hit him over the head so he can see what it feels like."

            Priscilla smiled. "I think we all would like to do that. We just have to pray Mr. Lesserton recovers from this and remembers who he is. He may be able to tell us who did this to him." Then she added. "And let's hope he remembers you, Lady Caroline."

            "I have been saying many prayers since I saw the photograph of him in the newspaper and read Oliver's missive to me about how you thought it might be Benjamin. You know it really wasn't a very good photograph of him."

            "I've not seen it," Priscilla replied. "Shall we retire to the drawing room?"

            "If you don't mind, I'd like to retire early after I see about Benjamin."