-6- Not Drawing Conclusions

Lady Winter and Laura excused themselves, retiring upstairs to prepare for their outing. It promised to be a bright sunny day with no chance of rain. The summer's heat had not been too bad for this time of year, but they knew they would need their parasols to protect their delicate skin. Freckles did not become a lady. And a suntan would never do.

The men were left to discuss matters of business and their horses while they awaited the ladies' return. Uncle Simon nonchalantly slipped his hand into his pocket to touch the silver box hidden there. Frowning to himself, he wondered once again why he needed to keep quiet about it and thought perhaps he might confide in Lord Stanton, who was more worldly than he. Since he was getting up in age he wasn't sure he was best suited for the task set before him.

An opportunity soon presented itself when Sir Harry got up abruptly, excused himself and left the room. Uncle Simon was unaware that Lord Stanton had made a head-jerking motion towards the door only seconds before. His decision made, Uncle Simon turned his worried eyes to the old family friend and said, "Sebastian, knowing you are a most loyal subject of the throne, I really must beg you to take this silver box to the Home Office in London." He placed the object onto the table separating the two men, his hand shaking slightly. "I am no longer the dashing blade I once was, and so I beseech you to keep the confidence passed on to me only an hour ago," he finished.

Reaching out his hand, Lord Stanton's long well tapered fingers closed around the box, dwarfing it in size when compared to his large hands. He examined it, then agreed they would sit down together later that afternoon to get all the facts straight before their leaving for London tomorrow. Uncle Simon looked relieved and smiled his thanks.

Lord Stanton was now in possession of a silver box, complete with secrets soon-to-be-disclosed. He wondered what Uncle Simon had gotten himself into but decided he would not draw conclusions before he understood the entire tale. He had noticed a stranger speaking to the elderly gentleman upon his arrival. Something about the man seemed familiar, but he wasn't sure because his back was to him and Sir Harry had been impatient to knock on the door and gain entry to the house. He was sure the boy had a tendre for his goddaughter.

Placing the box into his pocket just as Sir Harry returned, he smiled reassuringly at the elderly man. The ladies descended the stairs to join them by the doorway. "Shall we away?" Lady Winter asked. Sir Harry quickly offered his arm to Laura and Lord Stanton offered the same courtesy to Lady Winter. They bade the sweet old gentleman good-bye and left the house.

Alfred closed the door behind them then turning asked if Uncle Simon would be requiring his services. "Oh no but thank you Alfred. I shall rest a bit. You run along now," he said. Dismissed, Albert returned to the servants quarters to partake of his luncheon with the rest of the staff.

Uncle Simon settled down in the large comfortable chair already closing his eyes. He believed he had done the right thing, and exhaling a sigh took a leisurely nap.