Re: Chapter 1: The Reading
Father Alden consults the concierge and is directed to the parish church of St Paul's a few streets away. He also notices that the hotel provides a reservation service for various lines, and provisionallay books them a first class carriage on the express to York tomorrow morning.
Kit hops into a cab to Euston Road and the offices of Hodder and Stoughton, while Jonathan and George head to Scotland yard to report the theft and pick up George's gun licence.
Father Alden, Kit and Geroge, you may make a one or two point spends on Credit Rating if you desire. I will then fill out the details of your visits
Later in the afternoon Jonathan and Kit arrive half an hour early for the appointment with the lawyers, but that presents no problem and they are soon ensconced in a cosy office with Everett Senior as he goes through the finer points of Jonathans inheritance. It seems Jonathan owns a valuable property in the city, 1 Kingsgate Square, a ten bedroom residence in Mayfair. During Jonathan's father's incarceration it was looked after by the Hendersens, the housekeeper and gardener from the original staff. In the last few weeks they have been preparing for your arrival, airing out the house and recruiting a small complement of servants. The residence is now ready for you to move into immediately if you desire.
Jonathan also owns a 300 acre estate in Northumbria, with Blenheim House, a fifteenth century mansion, at the centre. The property is still maintained by the estate manager James Black and actually makes a small profit, mainly from the raising of sheep and cattle. Blenheim House is just below the border with Scotland and somewhat isolated. It will take the better part of a days travel to get there.
Most of Jonathan's income is from dividends and coupons from a portfolio of stocks and bonds. Everett makes no secret of the fact that he wants Jonathan to stay and take his rightful place as an English Lord (including his seat in the House of Lords).