Scandalous Behavior

23

Stone froze. “What did you say?”

“A cult, called the Chosen Few. Do you know them?”

“Better than I’d like to,” Stone said. He explained about Peter’s film and the recent brushes with the group. “I read their leader’s FBI file — Dr. Don Beverly Calhoun — and it was not pretty.”

“Perhaps I should speak to the Home Secretary about them,” Felicity said. “He might find them undesirable enough to keep them out of the country.”

“What a good idea,” Stone said.

“In the meantime, however, I think we should direct our attention to torpedoing any offer they might make for the Curtis estate. I know the widow, Glynnis. Perhaps I’ll give her a call and alert her to the nature of the Chosen Few.”

“I would be very grateful if you could do that. Will you let me know her reaction?”

“Certainly.”

“I must go, now. Peter, Ben Bacchetti, and their entourage are staying here, and I have to let them entertain me.”

“I’ll speak to you tomorrow. Good night.”

“Good night.” Stone hung up.

“Anything wrong, Dad?” Peter asked.

“Not yet,” Stone replied.

Stone was finally able to lure Susan into the master suite for the night and for a late breakfast, as well. They were tired from their flight and had slept in.

“I like your new beds,” she said.

“You are welcome there anytime at all.”

The phone rang. “Hello?”

“Stone,” Felicity said, “I’ve spoken to Glynnis Curtis, and the news is not good. She learned after Richard’s death that he was not as well off as she had thought — bad investments, or something — and she feels that the only way she can secure her future is to sell the estate as soon as possible. The Chosen Few people saw the property yesterday, and this morning she received a written offer of twenty-two million pounds.”

“Did you mention the possibility of the group’s presence being found unacceptable to the government?”

“I did, and she doesn’t give a damn. They’ll pay cash and complete quickly, and then it will be their problem.”

“Then what can we do? Can we object to the sale?”

“Possibly, if there is something in the zoning laws that would make them undesirable, but I know of an estate not ten miles away that is occupied by a religious sect something like your Amish, in the States. I think there is only one way to stop them in their tracks.”

“And what is that?”

“Buy it yourself.”

“Christ in heaven, Felicity! I can’t do that.”

“Of course you can, Stone. When you were consulting with my service some years back I ordered a background investigation of your character and assets, so I know what you inherited from Arrington, and I know that your capital has grown since that time. I also know that you are the sole trustee of your son’s trust, which is even larger than your holdings, so you could buy it as an investment for the trust.”

“Let me get back to you,” Stone said.

“I’ll pick you up in an hour. We have an appointment with Lady Curtis to view the place.” She hung up.

Stone put down the phone.

“You look as if someone has just punched you in the gut,” Susan said. “What’s wrong?”

“You’re not going to believe this,” Stone said.

Felicity showed up on time in a Jaguar saloon, and they got in. “Now listen to me, Stone,” Felicity said, spinning the car around and pointing it down the driveway, “I know you don’t want to buy this place, but you’ve got to pretend to be interested, so that we can slow down Glynnis’s decision-making process. She’s frightened of her future and very vulnerable, so the offer from the cult seems to her like a lifeline. She has to be persuaded to think there is another way forward. Do you understand?”

“I understand,” Stone said, “but I am not going to buy this place.”

They turned onto the main road and drove for a mile or so, then turned into a drive marked by an elegant gateway. High stone walls stretched away in both directions.

“If that wall goes down to the river on both sides of the estate,” Susan said, “it’s a million pounds’ worth of masonry.”

“I’m happy for Lady Curtis,” Stone said.

The house came into view, and it was impressive. “It’s half again as large as Windward Hall,” he said.

“Twice as large,” Susan replied, “perhaps more.”

They pulled to a stop in front of the house and climbed the stairs to the front door and rang the bell. Lady Curtis herself opened the door, and introductions were made.

“I’m sorry I haven’t had the opportunity to meet you sooner, Mr. Barrington,” she said, “but circumstances intervened.”

“I’m very glad to be able to meet you now, Lady Curtis,” he replied.

“Let me give you the ten-shilling tour,” she said, “and then we’ll have some lunch.”

They followed her through a succession of elegant rooms filled with fine paintings and sculptures. The wallpaper was peeling here and there, and the paint could have been better. The style of decorating was heavy for Stone’s taste. There was a huge drawing room, a large library, a conservatory, a billiards room, a writing room, and a music room, with a concert grand piano and a harp. Then they toured the second and third floors; Stone quickly lost count of the number of bedrooms. They also toured the lower level, where there was an Edwardian-era kitchen and servants hall, plus quarters for the help. The utility rooms were clean, and the equipment looked serviceable, if old.

They went back to the conservatory, where a cold lunch was served by uniformed staff. At one point Lady Curtis was called to the phone, and Susan tugged at Stone’s sleeve.

“I told you that I am meeting with a possible client, a hotel group, on Monday.”

“I remember,” Stone said.

“I think I could interest them in this place,” she said, “if it came to them thoroughly renovated. They are known to prefer properties in a move-in condition.”

“How much to renovate the place?” Stone asked.

“A wild guess? Five million pounds, if we don’t have to replace all the bathroom fixtures. I think the old ones could be refinished, and they add charm. Have you visited Cliveden, the former home of the Astors?”

“Yes, a couple of times.”

“A renovation much like that, albeit on a smaller scale.”

“Another good reason not to buy the place,” Stone said.

Felicity had been listening closely. “I like the way you think, Susan. Now, when Glynnis comes back, let me do the talking. You, in particular, Stone, shut up.”

Lady Curtis returned and apologized for her absence. “That was the estate agents,” she said. “They’re pressing for an acceptance.”

“Glynnis,” Felicity said, “I urge you not to be rushed into this deal. The buyers are unsavory people, and I believe that if you can give me a week or so, I might be able to come up with a better buyer, perhaps even a better offer. Have you signed an agreement to be represented by the estate agents?”

“Not yet; they’re pressing for that, too.”

“You would clear more from the sale if you didn’t have to pay their commission.”

Lady Curtis brightened. “A good point, Felicity, yes, I’ll give you a week to see what you can do.”

They thanked her for the tour and lunch, then excused themselves.

“That is an extraordinary property,” Susan said, as soon as they were in the car. “I could make it into the most spectacular country hotel in Europe. What do you think, Stone?”

“I think you could certainly do that, if you can interest your hotelier in the property.”

“Did I mention that the estate is some two hundred acres and that there are at least a dozen cottages on the property?” Felicity asked. “Those could be done up and rented, as well.”

“Thank you, Felicity,” Stone said, “but no dice.”

“I’ll take that as a maybe,” Felicity replied, gunning the Jaguar.