Barbara Taylor Bradford - In the Lion’s Den

‘Because James Falconer is Henry Malvern’s right-hand man. He’s been working for him since Alexis went to Vienna to be treated by Dr Sigmund Freud.’

Lord Reggie was silent. After a moment, he took out a cigarette and a match flared. He smoked for a moment or two, then asked, ‘Is she afraid of him? Or has she fallen for him?’

‘Neither, in my opinion. I believe she dislikes him, looks down on him. Certainly she was derogatory when she spoke to me about him today. She thinks he’s an opportunist. She’s using him as a reason why her father no longer needs her help.’

‘I see.’ Reginald, a genius in the world of business and perceptive about people, took a moment before he addressed the matter. ‘I have a feeling that James Falconer is a very decent man, if his uncle is anything to go by. I am quite sure he is ambitious – and what’s wrong with that? He obviously wants to move up in the world. I bet he has been a godsend to Malvern.’ He blew smoke into the air and said, ‘I’m afraid our friend has been something of a fool. Sitting around here mooning … for a dead man.’

‘I agree, Reggie. However, I don’t know how to handle this situation with Alexis any more.’

‘She needs a shock … we have to shock her into coming to her senses. I’ll put my thinking cap on.’ Looking hard at his beautiful, sensible wife, he continued, ‘Now I want to ask you a question, Jane.’

‘I will answer you if I can.’

‘What do you think about Alexis’s view of James Falconer? I know you’ve not met him, but I’ve described his manners, his voice, his general appearance. Be honest with me.’

A reflective look came across her face and settled there. She said, ‘I think Alexis might have felt a pull towards him, regretted that emotion, and grown afraid of him. Alexis ran.’

‘And perhaps she felt guilty regarding Sebastian?’

‘Maybe,’ Jane agreed, and pursed her mouth. ‘She was rather strong about his background; she called him a poor boy and mentioned that he’d worked on the stalls.’

‘That’s just the snob in her coming out. But truthfully, in my opinion, a relationship between them is out of the question.’

‘Don’t you think she’s got to take her responsibilities seriously, Reggie? You’ve got to persuade her to go back and help her father, learn how to run the Malvern Company. It’s her legacy.’

Jane was silent, thinking for a moment. After a pause she said softly, ‘I love Alexis. I want to help her, get her better. You know that, don’t you?’

‘I certainly do. I feel the same, Jane. I really do.’

‘What if she remains stubborn, won’t budge?’

‘Then we’ll just have to leave her to lead the life she chooses. It is her life, after all. Not ours.

Early on the misty autumnal Saturday morning, before he went riding with Alexis, Lord Reginald promised his wife he would find a way to get Alexis to go back to London.

This promise had helped to relieve Jane’s anxiety, and now she sat in front of the fire in the library, reading a book, relaxing, enjoying the quiet and being alone. Thus the unexpected knocking on the door startled her; she glanced across at it, frowning. Instantly it opened to reveal Mrs Bellamy standing there, her manner somewhat hesitant.

In an apologetic voice the housekeeper said, ‘So sorry to disturb you, Your Ladyship, but Miss Alexis told me you would give me the menu for supper tonight. If you can spare a moment now, it would be helpful.’

Although she was surprised this task had been left to her, Lady Jane put down her book. ‘Yes, of course, Mrs Bellamy. Do come in.’ As she spoke, Jane stood and walked over to the small desk. ‘Have you had any thoughts about it?’

Walking over to join her, Mrs Bellamy replied at once. ‘I do know His Lordship likes my lobster and fish pie, and I had thought of that for the main course.’

Turning to her, Jane nodded. ‘I like it too, so let’s settle on that, Mrs Bellamy.’ Writing this down on the piece of paper she had taken out of a drawer, Jane then added, ‘It’s a bit chillier today, so why not one of your delicious soups first?’

A smile of pleasure slipped onto the housekeeper’s face. ‘My carrot and ginger soup would be perfect before the pie, m’lady. I’ll do some oysters as a between-course too. And what about a plum clafoutis as a dessert, with a cheeseboard to follow?’

‘Sounds perfect to me. Thank you so much, Mrs Bellamy.’

‘There’s just one other thing, m’lady. What time will Miss Claudia and her husband be arriving this afternoon? In time for tea?’

‘Oh no, they’ll be here for supper. They have to attend an engagement party first, and—’ Jane cut her sentence off abruptly. She glanced at Mrs Bellamy as the sound of carriage wheels rattling on the cobblestones outside in the courtyard was heard.

‘Are you expecting someone, Your Ladyship?’ Mrs Bellamy asked.

‘No, I’m not,’ Jane murmured. Excusing herself, she hurried down the hallway to the front door and opened it.

A look of enormous surprise crossed her face as she stood on the front steps. Well, well, well, she thought.

Walking toward her was a young man in his early twenties, tall and good-looking, with fine features and fair hair.

Lady Jane stepped out into the courtyard and walked forward, smiling at the young man. He extended his hand and said, ‘Let me introduce myself, Lady Carpenter. I am James Falconer, and I’m here at the behest of Mr Malvern. I have a letter from him for Miss Malvern.’

Jane stretched out her hand to him. He shook it, and she said, ‘I’m very pleased to meet you, Mr Falconer.’

‘It is my pleasure, Your Ladyship. If I could speak to Miss Malvern and give her the letter, I can be on my way, Lady Carpenter.’

‘She’s not here, I’m afraid, but she’ll be back fairly soon. You must come in and wait for her. Come along.’

James did not move an inch, although he did reach into his inside jacket pocket and took out an envelope. ‘Could you please give her this when she returns? I will have to come back later because Mr Malvern needs her answer today.’

‘Why do you say come back ? You can wait here for her, Mr Falconer. Unless you have somewhere else to go?’

He did not address her question. Instead he said, ‘I don’t believe Miss Malvern would think that quite appropriate. However, there is one thing I would like if it’s not too much trouble … could the driver take the carriage to the back, please, so the horses can drink some water? He knows Goldenhurst, and where the trough is.’

‘Of course he can, and he might want a drink of water himself, or a cup of tea. And so might you, Mr Falconer,’ Jane exclaimed in a brisk manner.

Before James could respond, Broadbent, the butler arrived. ‘Can I help with anything, m’lady?’