Orthan patted Miranda’s arm comfortingly and headed upstairs. He caught Fredrik just coming out of Niki’s suite. “Will My Lord spare me a few moments of his time?” Orthan asked Fredrik.
“Certainly, Orthan,” replied the young Lord. “Let us go into the study and we’ll see about what troubles you.”
The young Lord and his butler entered the study and Fredrik took the Lord’s chair without hesitation. “What seems to be the matter, Orthan?” Fredrik asked.
“The problem, my young Lord,” Orthan smiled, “is that Lord Alrecht had no brothers or sisters.”
Fredrik listened lazily and suddenly stiffened as the butler’s meaning sunk in. He reached for his dagger that he was not wearing in his new outfit. Orthan indicated that he should relax and sit back down. “I say that so we both know where we each stand,” Orthan said calmly. “I think with your cooperation, my Lord, we shall all get what we want out of this charade.”
Fredrik smiled cautiously as he realized all was not lost already. “And what is it that my butler wants out of this?” he asked.
Orthan pulled up a chair and sat down. “Our Lord, that is to say, Lord Alrecht, had no living kin. I can prove that and you two would be hung for the impersonation. Unfortunately, that would gain me nothing and I rather like you.”
Fredrik snorted at the last statement, but still managed to sound sincere when he asked, “And you have a plan, no doubt. What is your plan, Orthan?”
“The maids and myself have no desire to find permanence on the streets as beggars,” Orthan stated. “What I propose is a partnership. I will help you establish your right to remain as our Lord. You will execute documents giving me complete authority in financial matters. I know enough about Lord Alrecht’s holdings that I will make us all wealthy. We will continue to serve you as servants and you will promise that we will not be mistreated. We will wish for you to remain here as our Lord and protector and you will wish for us to remain safe as your humble servants. Everybody wins.”
Fredrik sat studying the elderly swindler. He had to admit the plan had great merit and he had nothing to lose. The servants needed him or some other person with a claim to inheritance if they ever hoped to stay employed. Obviously, the servants were not about to just hand over everything without some safeguards for themselves. That is why Orthan insisted on holding the purse strings. That was purely a minor matter anyway. Whatever document he signed would be void if Orthan should suddenly die. Orthan could not do the same towards him or the estate would be empty again and the servants would be back in the position of being tossed out into the street. All in all, the agreement was fair and slightly in Fredrik’s favor.
“Well, partner,” Fredrik smiled, “it looks like we will have a mutually beneficial relationship for some time to come. If you will fetch some brandy, perhaps we can toast our new relationship.”
“Certainly, My Lord,” Orthan smiled. “It will be my pleasure.”
Orthan retrieved the brandy decanter and two glasses. Expertly pouring the liquid into the two glasses, he picked one up and offered a toast. “To the new Lord of Alrecht Manor, Lord Wason, may he live in splendor ‘til a ripe old age.” Orthan sat back in the chair as they sipped their brandy. “Will the new Lord be available for company around the noon hour today?”
Fredrik squinted at the old man. “That can be arranged, Orthan. What do you have up your sleeve?”
“A painter friend of mine will be calling to ask for a sitting,” Orthan chuckled. “He will be painting a portrait of Lord Alrecht with his favorite and only nephew. He will be most discrete for as long as I wish.”
Fredrik laughed. “You certainly have thought this out well, Orthan. Why have you figured to leave the Lady out of the portrait?”
“No one will believe you brother and sister, Sir,” Orthan stated. “People will accept her as the Lady of the Manor believing that she is your kept woman, but not as your sister. I hope that is acceptable.”
“It will have to be, Orthan,” Fredrik replied. Niki could get to be a problem in this whole affair if he didn’t handle her well. It was obvious that she had set off on the wrong foot with the servants, but she was so bull- headed that she would never back down if confronted with their knowledge. Best if he tried to head off her objections with some positive news. “Orthan, have my things moved to the Master’s Suite. I need to have a talk with my Lady.”
Orthan nodded as Fredrik rose and left the room. He walked to Niki’s room and knocked. Niki answered dressed in a beautiful, red satin gown and a red bow in her hair. “What do you think?” she asked.
Fredrik closed the door and sat in one of the chairs. “It is perfect,” he replied. “You look absolutely gorgeous, turn around.”
Niki twirled with a broad, beaming smile on her face. She strode over and gave Fredrik a kiss. “I am so happy,” she declared. “This is going to work out perfectly.”
“There is a problem that I wanted to talk to you about,” admitted Fredrik. “It seems that the servants know that Lord Alrecht did not have a niece. They are willing to accept me as his nephew and you as my… woman. If we go along with this, we will be accepted by the whole community and have great wealth. Orthan knows a great deal about Lord Alrecht’s finances and I have asked him to handle them for us.”
Niki looked stunned. “Why don’t we just get rid of the servants?” she asked.
“No,” Fredrik quickly said. “No, we can not do that. Without their acceptance, we will have no claim to the inheritance. It is only because of the servants that we have any chance at all of holding on to this mansion. Niki, we must take care not to upset them.”
“Upset them?” Niki shouted. “You expect me to care about upsetting the servants? They were born to serve us and we to rule them. You can’t be serious?”
Fredrik needed a way to keep Niki quiet and docile long enough to get the inheritance taken care of. “Niki,” he lectured, “if you want to rule somebody, we will be ruling from Beggars’ Corner. If you want to live in splendor and wealth, you will treat the servants civilly. I don’t know how to be more clear about this, Niki, but if you get the servants mad, we will be running for our lives. If you keep them happy, we will be very happy. Do you understand?”
“I will try,” Niki pouted. “At least for a while, but I expect you to find a way around this problem. I cannot be a proper Lady when I have to go around worrying about whether or not the servants are thrilled to be servants. When are we going out to see the town?”
“Tomorrow at the earliest,” Fredrik answered. “I need time to make sure that we are on solid footing before we chance answering the inevitable questions about our late uncle. I need to learn all about him and the servants know a great deal. I will uncover some more about him in his study and library. I also ordered Orthan to move my belongings into the Master’s Suite to get them used to the idea of a new Lord. You may join me there or keep your present suite whatever pleases you. Either way, you are to give the appearance of being my lover. We have a great chance here, Niki, but it will require constant attention to details if we are to pull it off.”
“I will put on a great appearance,” nodded Niki. “Don’t you worry about me, but remember your promise to discover a way to replace the servants eventually.”
Fredrik shook his head as he left Niki’s suite. The best way to clear his head would be to concentrate on learning more about Lord Alrecht. Orthan came into the study with a paper for Lord Wason to sign and to announce that the artist had arrived. Fredrik looked at the paper, which gave Orthan the powers that he was looking for and he signed it. The artist proved to be quite capable and quick, as well. Within three hours he had completed a portrait of Lord Alrecht and his young nephew, Fredrik Wason. He had painted Fredrik a year or two younger than he was now, but everyone would believe now that Fredrik was the nephew of Lord Alrecht. Orthan showed the artist out and returned with Fredrik to hang the painting in the Lord’s study.
“Your artist appears quite competent,” Fredrik remarked.
“He is that, My Lord,” smiled Orthan. “I think it is best to bring you up to date on the life of Lord Alrecht this evening. I have arranged for a barrister to come tomorrow at noon to secure your rights to the inheritance. The man knew Lord Alrecht well, so he will not be easy to fool, but I happen to know that he was gone from the town for three months two years ago. That is why I had the painting made with you being slightly younger. The story will be that you visited during that time frame and that is the only time you and your uncle ever met. The barrister will, of course, state that your uncle never mentioned you. You will laugh and explain that he was probably very embarrassed about your existence because of the way his sister shut him out of her life.”
Orthan poured another round of brandy and sat down. “You will point out how Uncle Amos had made advances to his own sister when they were young and how she hated him for it. Explain that your mother never
