all three men grew enthused while describing the local amenities. Godfrey had to smile at their tales; they’d patently grown up doing all the sorts of things boys did together, and when, with a twinkle in his eye, Matthew asked if Godfrey had any similar stories of his own, he found himself enjoying sharing his recollections of some of his youthful adventures.
The hours passed surprisingly easily.
At one point, with Pyne and Morris engaged in an argument over conflicting memories of an old event, Matthew Hinckley leaned across and, lowering his voice, addressed Godfrey. “Although the snow has created an unavoidable and ongoing delay to our business, I’m nevertheless glad to see you up and about, sir.” The older man paused, his eyes searching Godfrey’s, then said, “I prefer to be frank and ask outright if, once you’ve completed your task for the gallery and all is squared away with them, it would be appropriate—and if you’d be willing—to act as an advisor to me and my family regarding the sale?”
Godfrey blinked and rapidly considered the question. Once he’d finished with his commission… He refocused on Mr. Hinckley’s face. “I’m not a valuer as such, but I would be happy to advise you to the best of my ability—and yes, after I send in my report to the gallery, I see no impediment to acting as an advisor to the Hinckleys.”
“Excellent.” Mr. Hinckley eased back in his chair. He glanced at his friends—and Godfrey did, too, noting that Pyne and Morris were still engrossed. When he turned back to Mr. Hinckley, the older man said, “It’s important to me—to the family—that we realize the best price we can.” He faintly grimaced. “While our need isn’t urgent, it is quite real—the harvests have been so poor these past years that in order to keep the estate in the black, I’ve had to draw on Ellie’s and Maggie’s portions. And while Ellie especially would assure me I should use all the funds her mother and I set aside for her dowry to keep the Hall afloat, that’s not what I want, and I’m determined to restore the funds as soon as the painting is sold.”
Godfrey hesitated, but felt compelled to say, “While I’ve yet to see the painting and so cannot make any definite statement as to its worth, if it is as it should be, then its sale should bring in more than enough to repair any deficit and still leave a sizeable sum to bolster and protect the estate for many years.”
Stark relief showed in Hinckley’s eyes. He sat back and nodded to Godfrey. “Thank you for that. It eases the burden on my shoulders.”
Pyne looked across and demanded Hinckley add his recollections to the discussion at hand.
Allowing said discussion to rage across him, Godfrey reflected on the more private exchange, noting that Matthew Hinckley was as disarmingly open, straightforward, and easy to engage with as his children.
That fact was underscored when Harry and Maggie joined them, and the talk turned to politics and the latest news from London.
They were deliberating on the changes the railroads had wrought throughout the country when Kemp appeared to announce dinner. Ellie arrived on Kemp’s heels. Godfrey felt a flash of pleasure when her gaze instantly sought him out.
He met her eyes and smiled, genuinely pleased on several counts, and saw her relax.
She came forward as the men all stood, and Harry moved to take the handles of his father’s chair.
“Here—let me.” Godfrey smiled at Mr. Hinckley as he walked across. “The chair will give me added stability should I need it.”
Ellie was pleased, and Hinckley smiled and inclined his head. “If you wish, Mr. Cavanaugh.”
Godfrey grasped the handles and pushed the chair toward the door. Ellie fell in alongside, and Harry and Maggie waved Pyne and Morris on, then brought up the rear.
Ellie directed Godfrey to the dining room.
As he pushed the chair through the open doorway, his gaze fell on the small statue that had been used to prop open the heavy door. He blinked and stared. Is that a Lombardo cherub?
Ellie touched his arm, and he faced forward and steered the chair to the head of the table.
A footman stepped in to help Godfrey position the chair.
“Thank you, Mr. Cavanaugh.” Over his shoulder, Mr. Hinckley threw the footman a smile. “And you, Mike.” He turned back to Godfrey and indicated the chair to his right. “Please, sit by me, sir.”
Godfrey inclined his head, and Kemp appeared to draw out the chair. Godfrey