“Mr. Greychurch, why have you not obeyed my command?” the Dowager enquired.
“I beg your pardon, Your Grace,” Mr. Greychurch replied, “but this package has just arrived from Sir Marcus Welton. His Lordship spoke of it to me and it is exceedingly valuable. I must place it in safekeeping before I leave for the Church.”
“Give it to me,” the Dowager ordered, “and begone with you.”
Mr. Greychurch hesitated, but he could not overrule the Dowager’s authority.
He handed her the package with a doubtful expression on his face and hurried across the pavement to the waiting coach.
The Dowager turned the sealed package over and over in her hands.
“You drove a hard bargain, my child,” she said. “I suspect that this is the money that Mr. Lampton is so patiently waiting for.”
“It is indeed,” Tina an
