Knight of Runes Read Online Free PDF Page B

sir.”
    “Thank you, Charles.”
    “Hello, Mr. Hughes.” She was on her turf here, meeting an attorney. Her confidence level was high. She walked into the office, her arm extended, and beamed with enthusiasm.
    George Hughes sat behind the large accounting desk looking much as she anticipated. Her friends, the Alexanders, had given her some clues. She agreed with Grace’s assessment of his welcoming smile.
    “Hello, Dr. Tyler.” George came around the desk to shake her hand. “I hope you enjoyed your drive in from London.”
    “Yes, I did.” He had a strong handshake and a sincere look in his eyes that put her at ease. She liked him immediately. “It was most enjoyable, thank you. And thank you for noting the family places. It was a great idea and wonderful way to see the sites.”
    “I am glad you enjoyed it. Why don’t I show you around the Manor before the late-afternoon tour coaches begin to arrive. Besides I suspect it would be good to walk about after such a long journey.”
    Was it so obvious she wanted to look around? “Perfect. I’m glad you asked.”
    “We may not get to see everything but we can make a start of it.” He led her down the hall back to the front foyer. “The staff are excited you will be staying with them. They’re eager to meet you. There are several docents, National Trust people, as well as two full-time personal staff, Helen the cook and housekeeper and her husband Charles, the butler and driver. You met him at the door. Both were with Lady Emily for a long time. She made provisions for them in her will. They are to stay on as long as they want, Dr. Tyler. I hope you will be comfortable with the arrangement.”
    “Of course, and please, call me Rebeka.”
    He gave a slight nod of acknowledgment. “Then you must call me George. Let’s start at the beginning, Dr. Ty—Rebeka. As I mentioned in our correspondence, the house is open to the public. The National Trust decided to provide visitors with the experience of the evolution of the Manor from its beginnings as a modest farm in the 9th century up to the turn of the last one. Visitors see Fayne Manor functioning as it did through each period as they walk through the rooms, grounds and other buildings. Our docents are also dressed in the corresponding period.”
    “If the house and family go back eleven hundred years why are there no records anywhere, not the Doomsday Book or any of the peerage resources?”
    “I see you’ve already started your research.” He gave her a satisfied smile. “Actually, it was the lack of information that started Lady Emily on her quest. She decided to gift the Manor and lands to the National Trust. We had a devil of a time locating the old documents. In her search, Emily found several old estate books and journals dating back four hundred to four hundred twenty-five years which gave a portion of the explanation. She played the sleuth and began to hunt down each lead.”
    “And that’s how you found me?”
    “More or less. The information was in the books. She put most of the pieces together but passed on before finishing the puzzle. We finished it for her. The books and her notes have been under lock and key at our London vault since Lady Emily’s passing. I took the liberty of making arrangements for them to be delivered to you tomorrow.”
    They stopped and were standing in the main foyer. As they spoke, her eyes moved over the solid oak woodwork and carefully recreated wallpaper. She ran her hand over the fine carvings, appreciating the intricate work.
    “Rebeka.” He gently covered her roaming hand with his and got her undivided attention. His tone was quiet, almost conspiratorial. “The books are very special. They are filled with…” He searched for the right word. “They are filled with secrets.”
    “Secrets? And do we have ghosts too?” She thought him mysterious and charming. But the look in his eyes told her he wasn’t joking. Perhaps that was the marketing spin for the