and she traversed the northern parts of England selling fine tapestries and fabrics of all kinds!  Lord only knows how she managed to conduct her craft and oversee this household both at the same time.  Although, if I may be so bold, sir…” and the valet leant forward toward Hal in a conspiratorial manner, his voice dropping to just above a whisper, “…it’s often been subtly insinuated by more than just a few that this was the period when Lillicrap Manor…uh…how should I put this…started to…er…decline in appearances.  One can only wonder, of course, if these two items of mention might not be connected.”

The valet paused for a moment thoughtfully, then he went on:  “However, that’s probably the very sort of s...

Please subscribe to keep reading.