"Pleased to meet you," Kit offers.

"You should definitely look into new stationery, Jon," he adds with a straight face.  "If you're going to be a lord now, you should do it to the hilt.  In fact, I was planning to get you a monocle next Christmas."

“Father Glen Alden, at your service.”  Father Alden stoically shook Mr. Everett’s hand.

He stepped back and took one more look at his travelling companions.

Johnathan had a good heart, but was he really ready to be a Lord?  Was he ready to navigate the rigid formalities and customs of his position?  Father Alden wasn’t convinced, but he would do his best to help guide the young lad.

To that end he had turned a blind eye to the Captain and Kit’s evening dalliances on the ship.  While he didn’t approve of the Captain and Kit’s behavior, he also recognized they were true friends.  And Johnathan would need true friends more than ever now.

He saw his role as providing the voice of reason and propriety when the Captain and Kit tried to drag Johnathan into baser activities.

George knew the Father was well intentioned, but an academic with no common sense, or grasp on reality.
George knew plenty of well intentioned men.  Most of them were dead.

George ignored the Fathers high handed morales.  George WAS teaching Jonathan how to be a gentleman, after all.
Gentleman that can't hunt, shoot, or play poker, are going to be without friends, boring and alone.  Destined for the priesthood no doubt!
This message was last edited by the player at 09:52, Sun 18 Dec 2011.

Everett favours you all with a limp handshake.


"The title passed to you directly on your father's death Lord Deville. No other actions on you part are necessary" replies Everett with the ghost of a smile.

Half an hour later the five of you sit in a first class carriage on the express to London, your luggage safely ensconced in the baggage compartment five carriages down. The train pulls smoothly out of the station, and soon you are deep in the English countryside, lush and green in the late afternoon sunlight.

Speaking to no-one in particlular,

"I have made reservations at The Savoy Hotel, in London.  It is supposed to be the best hotel in London, so I'm told."

George throws a glance at Kit.

Jonathan watches the English countryside slide past the windows of their compartment. He feels rather detached, conflicted.

Lord Deville. It doesn't seem possible. Everything has changed; my plans, my aspirations. Last month I was just a man, an heir to a modest fortune and a certain family position, but an American with all the freedom that implied.

Well, I have to discover who Lord Deville will become. What avenues are open to me and which are closed. How much does Lord Deville define Jonathan Cavendish?

"Sorry, fellows," he says looking around the compartment at his companions with a skight smile, "I was off in a brown study. It seems a bit more real now that I'm in England.

"'Oh to be in England, now that April's there.' As Browning would have it, eh, Father? Well, here I am. I wonder what England will make of me, Uncle George?

"So, Mr. Everett, I'll leave myself in your hands while we get the legal business completed anyway. I don't expect you to confine yourself to the dreary details, Kit. I'm sure you have a lot of plans of your own."

Father Alden smiled and nodded at Johnathan, choosing not to interrupt his dialogue.

He thought of the next verse in prose

“And whoever wakes in England
Sees, some morning, unaware”


Unaware, that about summed it up in Father Alden’s mind.  He couldn’t help shaking the feeling that Johnathan was unaware of what he was getting into.  He had an uneasy feeling about this trip that he just couldn’t place.  He said a silent  prayer for young Johnathan and his travelling companions.

Kit has a notebook and pen in his hands, which seem to be keeping him relatively quiet.

"Don't pretend you find the details dreary, Jon," he says with a smile but without looking up. "It's the rest of us non-lawyers who find them impenetrable.  I should be happy to join you for the reading, though, unless you want privacy there."

Jonathan grins, "Okay, Kit, ya got me." Then his face becomes more serious, "I would greatly appreciate all three of you attending the reading of my Grandfather's will. I'm still a bit trepidatious about what may come of it."

The rest of the journey passes swiftly, and soon you are alighting at Paddington station, just a few mintues after six. Another porter carries you luggage through the bustling concourse and onto the street, where Everett hails a cab. Less than half an hour later you are ensconced in your suite at the Savoy, a study in luxury and taste. Everett takes his leave, after arranging to meet you after breakfast tomorrow to conduct you to his chambers. The rest of the evening is your own...

George gets ready for dinner in his best bib and tucker! He was looking forward to getting down to business tomorrow,
at last.  All this rich living was nice enough, but George has getting the hankering for the wilderness again.
The express train through the English countryside had re-awakened his outdoorsman within.

Using the hotel stationary, George writes a short letter and seals it in an envelope.  The envelope is addressed to,

Detective Inspector Claude Eustace Teal,
New Scotland Yard,
Whitehall.

Before meeting the others in the cocktail bar for apperitifs, George visits the Concierge and leaves the letter with the desk.

"Please see this is delivered first thing in the morning.  Can you send the reply straight to me when it arrives please."
With a wink, George leaves half a crown with the clerk.

Before they headed toward their rooms, Father Alden lightly touched Johnathan’s forearm, quietly saying, “Johnathan, I do hope you don’t mind, but I believe I will retire early this evening.  I didn’t realize how tired I felt until we came inside.”

He nodded to the Captain and Kit, “Pleasant evening everyone.”

Looking back at Johnathan he couldn’t help reminding him, “Big day tomorrow, it wouldn’t do to be out too late.  You need to have your wits about you.”


After the Father reached his room, he leisurely unpacked his things.  Double checking to make sure everything was in its place, he breathed deeply and knelt down beside the bed, folded his hands, bent his head, and began to pray……..

"Good night, Father," Kit says, before turning to the others.  "What do you say, gentlemen, should we go and take in the sights?"

A night on the town with Captain Yates sounds a little like a night out with a guard dog, but Kit's confident he can win the man over, given enough time.

After an enjoyable night out, you decide to take breakfast in your suite, and descend a few minutes before 10 o'clock to find Everett waiting in the lobby. He smiles tightly as he sees you step out of the elevator.

"Ah, m'Lord, our cab is waiting. Shall we proceed?"

The question is obviously rhetorical, as Everett herds you quickly into the hansom waiting outside. After a few minutes you arrive at the offices of Everett, Everett and Hobbes on Bond Street, and are quickly ushered into a well-appointed reception room where two gentlemen are waiting.

Everett introduces you to the first, a portly, red-faced old man. "This is my father Julius Everett"

Unlike his son Everett senior has a firm handshake, and greets you all effusively. "It's a pleasure to meet you again Lord Deville" he declares "although the last time I saw you, you were barely bigger than my thumb."

The other person present in the office is a lean, dark-haired middle aged fellow. Everett senior introduces him as Graham Hobbes, the third partner in the firm.

After you are all seated, Everett senior reads out Jonathan's father's will in a businesslike manner. In simple terms, he left everything to his wife, passing to Jonathan in the event of her death. Jonathan will inherit property in Mayfair and the Blenheim estate in Northumbria, plus stocks and bonds worth £30,000 a year. Finally Everett takes a sealed envelope out of his strongbox.

"The day before your father went missing he added a codicil to his will. This letter was to be held by me until  he returned to claim it. In the event of his death I was to deliver it to your mother." Here, Everett pauses, and in a low sincere voice continues "Lord Deville, after you fathers illness you cannot imagine how difficult a position I was in. It was obvious you father had not envisaged what would befall him. Should I give the letter to your mother, even though you father was not technically dead? In the end, however, my professional ethics won over. Joseph had been most emphatic in his instructions - and there was always the possibility that he would recover. I beg you, do not judge me too harshly". As he hands over the envelope Everett looks you in the eye. "I'm sure you have realised this letter may hold a clue to your father's madness. If you decide to pursue this issue further I strongly advise you to consult with me before taking any action."

He solemnly hands Jonathan the envelope. A grandfather clock chimes eleven, breaking the moment. "Now Lord Deville" says Everett, his normal self again "I am available for the rest of the day to discuss your new responsibilities".

Father Alden reached a hand out to one of Johnathan’s shoulders and gave it a firm squeeze.  Quietly he said, “Keep your chin up lad, the Lord never gives us more than we can bear.”

"Thank you, Father," Jonathan returns with a slight smile. He turns to Everett, Senior, "I find no fault with your decision, Mr. Everett. I thank you for your faithful stewardship of my father's affairs. I will certainly consult you and your firm on legal and business decisions that arise.

"Now, if you don't mind, I'd appreciate a room where I can peruse my father's last message in privacy with my family and old friends." His gaze encompasses Kit, Uncle George and Father Alden.

George was up early, washed and dressed ready for breakfast en-suite.  He donned his business suit,
which is expertly cut to conceal the 1911A1 in its shoulder harness.

Before leaving in the cab with the others, George checked at reception if there was any answer to his letter.

---

"If we're gonna be here all day, I'll just nip out now for some provisions and be back for lunchtime.
What would you like, my lord?"  There was an unmistakable sarcasm in Georges voice.

You are ushered into a well-appointed conference room and discretely left alone to open the envelope. There are two documents inside. The first is a bankers draft, giving ownership of deposit box 2466 at Northumbrian and County (which you recognise as the Deville family bank bank) to the bearer of the document. The second is a letter addressed to Jonathan's mother.

Kingsgate Square 31st August 1899

My Darling Mary,
I hope to God you never have to read this. If all goes well I will be back with you the day after tomorrow. But anything happens to me, I want you to know the truth. I have left my diary in a safety deposit box at the bank - you always joked that you wanted to read it. I hope and pray that you will understand my actions, and perhaps find it in you heart to forgive me for the pain my deeds have undoubtedly caused you. I remain ever yours,

Joseph Deville

"I'd appreciate it, Uncle George, if you'd take a look at these letters with me first."

When they're alone in the room, Jonathan takes a seat at the conference table. He reads both documents, passing them to George and Kit, and indicating they should share them with Father Alden.

He waits until The other three have read each of the papers.

"I want to get my hands on that diary as soon as possible. Can anyone think of anything else we have to do with the lawyers today?"

"Very well Jonathan."  George dropped the honourific when they were alone.

"I have enquired about licences for our weapons, while we are in England.  They are waiting for us at Great Scotland Yard,
care of an Detective Inspector Teal.  We need to collect them in person before leavinf London."

"Do you have all the paperwork?  A death certificate, the will and deeds?  Can't think of much else.
A letter in the Times maybe to announce your succession?"   Again George's sarcasm breaks through.

Thinking about the trip to Northumbria, George adds
"It's a long way to your estates Jonathan, a full days travel I think.  We might be able to get tickets on the Mail Train tonight?
Then we'd arrive in the morning."

"That's a curious letter, Jon - it sounds very solemn indeed, as if your father were expecting some sort of trouble when he wrote it," Kit says.

"It almost sounds like the start of a mystery story," he adds, before realising that it's not a very thoughtful comparison to make when his cousin's feelings are so fundamentally involved.  He shrugs apologetically to Jonathan.

Nonetheless, it does sound like one to him, and his interest has been piqued.

Father Alden nodded.  “Wills and deeds, most assuredly. A good suggestion Captain”.  He pursed his lips and looked up towards the ceiling, clearly thinking.

“Keys to the safety deposit box perhaps?”

Looking at Kit briefly, then back at Johnathan, “I also recommend asking if he had any known companions or acquaintances in the area?  Either here or in Northumbria.  They may be able to shed some light on this letter.”

"I intend to get to the bank right away. Death certificate and a copy of the will sounds like a good idea," Jonathan says decisively, " Deeds and such can be dealt with by the attorneys, I expect, though a letter from them attesting my identity might be helpful. We'll come back later to wrap all that up. Or maybe they'll come round to the hotel. I am a peer of the realm, after all." He grins at the last sentence.

Jonathan looks out to the reception area and asks the secretary to let Mr. Everett know that he would like to see him. When the solicitor returns, Jonathan asks him for copies of the death certificate and of the will. He requests an afternoon appointment to deal with any other vital business. He then asks whether there's a key for deposit box 2466 at Northumbrian and County among his father's effects.

"Oh, and can you give me a rough idea how much is available in liquid assets at present? Am I one of those 'impoverished nobles' you hear about?"

"Well Lord Deville, although I am not by any means a financier, I would image that the bank would have no difficulties with providing a line of credits for tens of thousands of pounds" Everett senior answers. He readily agrees to your requests and suggest you pass by at 5 o'clock to collect the documents. No key is available, but Everett opines that the bank should be willing to supply you with a spare, and pens a brief note to the manager confirming your identity addressed to  to 'Randolf Paine, Manager, Northumbrian and County Bank, 10 Threadneedle Street'

A clerk is summoned to hail a taxi, and soon you outside the chambers, blinking in the noonday sun on Bond Street. The vehicle pulls up a few yards down the pavement...

See the Meta thread.

"Now I'm no expert, Lord Deville, but it sounds to me like you might be richer than Croesus," Kit says as the group leaves the chambers.  "Say, have you ever thought of going into publishing?"

He has a niggling sense that something might be amiss, but decides it's probably just Father Alden willing him to be quiet.  He glances over at the priest and offers him an affable smile.  Surely the man would understand that he couldn't be sombre and reflective all of the time.  Or, well, much of it at all, really.