“Yes, indeed. It’s been a profitable year so far.”
She hoped he would leave soon. “And now you’re at leisure to travel again. How marvelous.”
Peter studied her. “Have you had any dealings lately with the solicitor. I assume you still have your business with Barclay.”
“Yes, as a matter of fact I had a letter from him this week,” she enthused. “He’s in excellent health.”
“What was the nature of the letter?” he asked, sitting forward.
His sudden question caught her off guard momentarily. Rebecca was not comfortable discussing anything about her finances, least of all with Peter.
“Nothing of importance,” she said cautiously. Although they shared the same solicitor in London, what happened in her life was none of Peter’s business. “He sent the usual quarterly report. I imagine you might have received yours recently too.”
“I did and I will be questioning him about the contents when I see him.”
Rebecca gulped. “Is there a problem?”
“Possibly.” Peter frowned. “It may be nothing but I think it would be in our best interests to keep a closer watch on Barclay and how he manages our finances. There have been too many mistakes for my liking.”
Rebecca gaped. “You too?”
Peter nodded but then suddenly stood up. “I should take my leave of you so you can get to the party.”
Rebecca stood, too, feeling nothing but relief he was taking himself away. “Thank you for coming to warn me, Mr. Warner.”
He studied her again. “I was only doing my duty. My brother would have wanted me to look out for you in this. Good day, madam.”
A servant was waiting just beyond the threshold and showed him the way to the front door.
Once he was gone, Rebecca sank into a chair and put her head in her hand. Peter would never seek her out if he had any doubts about his suspicions. She would be wise to listen to him and return to London as soon as possible. She could leave at dawn tomorrow.
Chapter 13
Adam slapped Whitfield on the shoulder while he surveyed the flock of guests spilling out across the lawn. It was a merry group indeed, but he couldn’t see Rebecca anywhere, and he was starting to wonder what had waylaid her. “How are you holding up, my friend?”
“Better than I imagined,” Whitfield admitted quietly.
“Good. Good. I think your induction to the Westfall family is going very well,” he joked.
Whitfield arched one brow. “Is that what this is?”
“I’m told one of the first rules of being a member of the Westfall family is to never faint,” Adam admitted.
“You’d fail then. I heard all about your little spell after the carriage accident from Stapleton himself.”
Of course, Stapleton had shared everything with Whitfield. They hardly kept secrets from each other. “The second rule is never to discuss any lapses of the first rule.”
Whitfield laughed. “Is that written down anywhere?”
“I’m sure it must be. Becca will know.”
“Becca, is it?” Whitfield turned, and his expression hinted at a grin. “That’s not the first time you’ve spoken her name like that. I thought only the family dared.”
“I like to live dangerously.” Adam shrugged. “Rebecca simply does not suit her.”
“And Becca does? I doubt she’d agree with you.”
Adam smiled. “She never does. Where is she, by the way? I hope the intoxication of calling you brother for the first time didn’t cause her to swoon and fail the first rule of being a Westfall.”