Chapter 4: Intrigue upon Intrigue
With all that had occurred the previous afternoon with Jenny, Alicia had forgotten to read her mail and it was the arrival of the postman yet again which reminded her.
Picking up the previous days letters from the hall table she quickly ran through them. There was one official looking one addressed for her own attention, several for Sir Charles and just one in the current delivery for herself. It was obviously a card and on opening it found a Dinner invitation from Lt Colonel and Mrs Gregory Fellowes to attend at Marston House at 7.30 for 8 on the 21 June. RSVP and penned underneath were the words
Understand Sir Charles in the States, if he should return, he also invited.
It took a few moments for Alicia to realise who the Fellowes were, then the penny dropped, of course, the they ran the Bloodstock yard for the general. An impish smile appeared on her face as she wondered if Jenny would be invited, probably not just being a stable 'lad'. Pity, might have met Rufus, she thought
After opening the official one she uttered the words "Oh my gosh" and quickly ran up to her room.
The letter was a follows:
HARDON, KNUTTS and SEAMAN.
Solicitors.
Downey Valley Road LIPPSON.
18th June
Dear Madame,
EFFECTS OF SIR HENRY BOGGS-NORTON Bt. (deceased). As you are aware, your late father, Sir Henry Boggs-Norton (Baronet), entrusted his last Will and Testament to these chambers, although at the time of his death he was domiciled in Australia. We were bidden to hold back on certain facts regarding his effects until we received further information. That information is not to hand and we should be gratified if you would attend at these chambers at 11 o'clock in the forenoon of the 20th inst.
Yours faithfully
Ivor Hardon.
Glancing at her watch Alicia noted that she had plenty of time to change and drive over to Lippson, the small town where she had been born. This latest communication from the solicitors was highly intriguing. Her father had been in his 80's at his death, her mother having predeceased him, he had gone to Australia shortly afterwards. His whole estate had been left to Alicia, as far as she knew.
Her mind was taken away from the problem by a stealthy movement from the direction of the old coachman's room. Then she recognised Gwen Allardyce followed by Billy Barnes, and smiled to herself. 'Hmm' she thought,' little later than usual, hope they don't get caught. Lucky Gwen, only a year younger than me but getting fucked much more frequently. I wonder if Billy fucks anyone else on his milkround?'
As she idly considered the sexual activities of her housekeeper and the milkman another movement attracted her attention. Someone was creeping out of the apple store next to the coachman's rooms. As far as Alicia knew that building was in a greater state of disrepair than the room she had allowed Gwen Allardyce to use for her nefarious deeds.
It was then she realised just who it was exiting the Tom Allardyce, Gwen's son. 'What was he doing there?' Alicia wondered,then a thought struck her fertile mind.'God, is he playing at being a voyeur, in his case quite literally, a Peeping Tom with his own mother. Is he getting some kind of thrill watching his mother being fucked, or, Oh God No, is he spying on behalf of his father, the ploughman?'
Alicia decided to investigate as soon as she returned from her visit with the solicitor.