The Second Son

by Andy Blackman

  “Talking about your grandfather,” said the Duke.

  “All in the past,” replied Grenville, smiling.

  Continuing, the Duke said, “I know it caused a rift between us that I would not let you come to his funeral.”

  “I understand now, father,” said Grenville.

  “Your grandfather spoke to me a few months before he died, and he asked me not to let you attend his funeral, as he did not want the last memory you had of him was lying in a wooden box,” said the Duke, “so I agreed to his wishes, knowing that it would distance you from me, but I was prepared to have you think less of me rather than your grandfather,” continued the Duke. “Please forgive me, my son,” said the Duke.

  “There is nothing to forgive, father.”

  The Duke closed his eyes and Grenville said quietly for the first time in his life, “I love you, father.” Grenville felt his father squeeze his hand and smile. Grenville squeezed back and sat smiling with tears in his eyes.

  The Duke was still alive the next morning when the doctor came. Sofia, Grenville and Sara were standing around the Duke’s bed as the doctor made his last examination of the Duke. As he stood, he shook his head towards Grenville. Sofia took her husband’s hand, leant in close and spoke to him in whispers. Grenville and Sara stood back a pace, as this was her final farewell to her husband and they wanted it for her to be a special goodbye. Eventually, Sofia stood up and said, “Grenville, he wants to talk to you.”

  Moving forward Grenville leaned over and said softly, “I am here, father.”

  From half-open eyes the Duke smiled, and tried to lift his hand, which Grenville took. “You are now the Duke of Hampshire, my son, keep the family true,” the Duke said in a whisper.

  “I promise father, I will,” Grenville said softly. Just then the Duke smiled and breathed his last breath. The doctor leaned over them both and after testing the Duke for life, declared the eleventh Duke of Hampshire dead.

  It rained on the day of the funeral. Everyone from the estate was in attendance, plus a host of family and friends. The Speaker of the House of Lords gave the elegy, which was full of humour and love for his father. They laid him in the family crypt, where generations of Hamptons had been laid before him. One of his friends from the Lords commented, “He is with good company,” which made Grenville smile.

  Grenville was quite shocked at how many people came to pay their respect to him. He never realised how popular his father was or how many friends he had. This above all made Grenville proud to be his son. Eventually, Grenville went to find Sara and his mother. He found them both sitting in the reading room. “Here you are,” said Grenville smiling, kissing his mothers offered cheek. “How you doing, mother?”

  “Darling, good thank you, of course Sara been a rock.” She smiled at Sara.

  “My pleasure, mother,” said Sara, smiling.

  “You are a good girl,” said Sofia, tapping her face and smiling.

  “A lot still here?” asked his mother.

  “Not really, most have left.”

  “Good,” said Sofia, “I came in here for a rest, only so much condolences you can take.”

  “I know what you mean, mother,” said Grenville. “I spoke to Stevens and the reading of the will and he will be here on Tuesday, if that’s convenient, mother?” asked Grenville.

  “Of course, darling.”

  “Stevens did hint that it was straightforward, no surprises,” said Grenville, smiling.

  “Never doubted it for a minute,” said Sofia, laughing.

  Just then Preston came in and said, “Can I have a word, your Grace?”

  After a minute, Sofia said, smiling, “Preston is addressing you my son, you are now the Duke of Hampshire.” This realisation was the first-time Grenville had thought of himself as the Duke of Hampshire.

  “Sorry Preston, what can I do for you?” replied Grenville.

  “Lady Barnett from the Lords would like a word.”

  “Thank you, Preston, please inform her I will be along post haste.”

  “Very well, your Grace,” replied Preston, bowing and leaving the room.

  “Please excuse me,” said Grenville, kissing Sara and his mother before he left.

  “He will make a fine Duke,” said Sofia.

  “He was born to it,” replied a smiling Sara.

  “And of course, you are now a Duchess,” said Sofia, smiling at Sara.

  “I feel far too young to be a Duchess,” she said, which made them both laugh.

  “Don’t worry my dear, you will be a natural.”

  “I will need your help,” said Sara.

  “Of course, my dear, always,” said a smiling Sofia.

  Grenville spotted the leader of the House of Lords, Lady Barnett, speaking to the Bishop of Hampshire. Smiling, Grenville went over and said, “Apologies if I’m butting in.”

  “Not at all, Grenville,” replied the Bishop, “I will let you two to House business.” The Bishop bowed and left.

  “I am sorry for your loss, Grenville,” said Lady Barnett, “your father was a voice of calm in the house.”

  “Thank you, most kind,” replied Grenville.

  “I know this is probably not the time, but I have been asked to seek you out,” said Lady Barnett.

  “Please, what is on your mind, Lady Barnett?” said a smiling Grenville.

  “We hope that when you take your father’s place in the house we can still rely on your support as we did his,” she said.

  “To tell you the truth Lady Barnett, I have not really had time to think about it,” said Grenville.

  Smiling and patting his hand, Lady Barnett said, “It’s OK, take your time, and let me know what you have decided.”

  “Most kind,” replied Grenville, bowing. “Now if you’ll excuse me, I must find my mother.”

  “Of course, dear,” smiled Lady Barnett.

  Grenville found Sofia and Sara still in the reading room deep in conservation.

  “What did Lady Barnett want?” asked Sofia.

  “Wanting to know if I follow father’s political allegiances.”

  “She was quick,” said Sara.

  “Politics does not respect death, my dear,” said a smiling Sofia.

  “What did you tell her?” asked Sara.

  “Nothing really, told her I had not decided,” replied Grenville.

  “But you are going to take your seat in the Lords?” asked Sofia.

  “To tell you the truth, mother, I have not decided,” replied Grenville.

  “But you must, my darling,” said Sofia.

  “Why must he?” asked Sara.

  “It’s a matter of perception,” said Sofia.

  “Don’t understand,” said Sara.

  “For Grenville’s business to thrive as he wants it to, he must play the role of Duke of Hampshire,” replied Sofia.

  “I see,” said Grenville, smiling.

  “So, he plays the part of an upper-class aristocrat,” said Sara.

  “Exactly,” replied Sofia, smiling. “Perception, people see what they want to see and imagine.”

  “Clever mother, very clever,” said Grenville, smiling.

  “It won’t hurt to be part of the establishment and work within and outside of it, your grandfather and father were experts at it,” said Sofia.

  Next morning Grenville rang Lady Barnett and told her although his business commitments stopped him attending the Lords on a regular basis, she could rely on his support on important matters and could count on his attending when she requires it. Lady Barnett smiled as she replaced the receiver.

  Grenville was sitting up in bed waiting for Sara to come out of the bathroom after her shower. “So what you think?” Sara said, coming from the bathroom, rubbing her hair with a towel.

  “Sorry my love, never heard you, what was the question?”

  “Your mother,” replied Sara.

  “What about her?” said Grenville.

  “Grenville, you can be so dim sometimes,” sa
id Sara, smiling.

  “Sorry, not with you,” replied Grenville.

  Sara sat on the bed and said, “Now your mother has lost your father, she feels in the way and lost.”

  “Never realised she felt like that,” said Grenville, looking glum.

  “Well, you need to reassure her she still has a part to play,” said Sara, patting Grenville on the hand as she stood to get dressed. “See you down for breakfast,” said Sara. “I am famished, don’t be too long darling,” she said as she closed the door behind her.

  Grenville stood in the shower and let the hot water wash over him, pondering on what Sara had said. He did not give it a second thought what his mother was feeling or thinking, but Sara was right, she was no longer technically the Duchess of Hampshire, but the mother of the Duke. Grenville made up his mind and would let his mother and Sara have his decision at breakfast.

  Entering the breakfast room, Grenville went to his mother and kissed the offered cheek. Looking closely in the smiling eyes, Grenville thought how much his mother was still a beautiful woman. Smiling, Grenville said, “Morning mother.”

  “Morning, my son,” Sofia replied.

  Grenville went to Sara and kissed her on the top of her head as she was eating a piece of toast. “Morning, my darling.” Sara nodded in response. The conservation was light over breakfast, and once they had finished Grenville said, “Shall we retire to the reading room, need to have a chat with you both.”

  After they were seated, Sofia said, “This sound serious,” smiling at Sara.

  “Rather,” said Sara, smiling back. Standing with his hands behind his back Grenville smiled at both his mother and his wife, and thought how lucky he was to have the support of two strong minded women.

  “Mother,” said Grenville finally.

  “Yes, Grenville,” replied Sofia, smiling.

  “As you know, both Sara and I will be extremely busy with the business which leaves us a slight problem, which I hope you can help us with,” said Grenville.

  “Of course, if I can,” replied Sofia.

  “We would like you to carry on the day to day running of the Hall and the estate for us,” said Grenville.

  “If you are sure,” replied Sofia.

  “It would help us,” said Sara.

  “Knowing the Hall and estate are managed well will be a worry off my mind,” said Grenville, smiling at his mother.

  “It will be a pleasure to help,” replied Sofia.

  Grenville went across and kissed his mother on the cheek, and said, “I would only trust you with the Hall and estate.”

  After Grenville, had left the room, Sofia said, “Thank you, Sara.”

  “For what?” said Sara, smiling.

  “You know for what,” replied Sofia, smiling.

  Sara went over and hugged Sofia and whispered, “Us Duchesses have to stick together,” which brought laughter from both.

  The only sound was from the air ventilation system from the bubble, as Grenville called it, as the board of S&T Imports sat around the conference table.

  Grenville finally said, “Welcome, I know you are all busy people so we will crack on.” This brought a smile from around the table.

  Jonathan stood without being asked. “Chairman, fellow board members,” Jonathan started, “I have looked over the contracts for the proposed purchase of the air cargo company, and have made a few suggestions to the legal team, but I do not see any forthcoming problems with the purchase.” This brought smiles from around the table.

  “Thank you, Jonathan,” said Grenville, smiling at Jonathan, who nodded in acknowledgement. “Anything else?” asked Grenville.

  “No, your new legal department are very competent, and will do you proud,” smiled Jonathan, sitting down.

  Grenville looked at Hugo, who stood. Hugo gave the same start as Jonathan. “The business is continuing to grow, with established business and new business,” said Hugo which brought a “well done” from around the table. Hugo continued, “At present, with assets considered we have a working capital of just short of six hundred and forty million.” This brought a few gasps from around the table. “If we carry on the way we are going, we will reach the billion mark hopefully within ten years.” Smiling, Hugo sat down. The room once again was in silence.

  Grenville said, “When we started out I never imagined in my wildest dreams we were capable of achieving this, and I put this down to you all.”

  Holding out his arms to the table, Hugo spoke for them all when he said, “We thank you, Chairman, for having faith in us all.” This brought a round of applause from the table.

  Grenville looked at Carole and nodded. Carole stood and smiled. “Our computer systems are now the envy of a lot of companies, and if the truth be told, a few government agencies around the world. Our new research and development department are making strides to better our security in this turbulent world, but we are still confident that if we require information we can obtain it, plus we are at present well protected from cyber-attacks and snoopers.” Carole sat down and everyone in the room understood what Carole had just said. Grenville sat nodding, with a smile on his face.

  Grenville smiled at Sara, who stood. “Mr Chairman, fellow members, the day to day running of the company is in excellent health, we have I feel the best management team in place who are committed to S&T Imports,” everyone around the table nodded, “but I am afraid to say I must hand over most of my day to day workload to my very capable assistant,” said Sara, smiling.

  Grenville stood. “What? No way.”

  “Sit down my love,” said Sara, which Grenville did.

  “Let me explain, my assistant will take over my day to day workload for now, but she will obviously only do the S&T Import workload; I will remain on the board.”

  “I am confused,” said Hugo.

  “Men are sometimes stupid,” said a laughing Carole.

  Sara turned to Grenville who still looked puzzled. “Yes, my darling, we are going to have a baby,” said Sara with tears in her eyes.

  Grenville jumped to his feet and went to Sara, took her in his arms and said, “I am so proud of you, my darling.” Everyone else came together to congratulate Grenville and Sara. “I want you all to join me at Hampton Hall this weekend to celebrate,” said Grenville, smiling.

  “When did you find out?” asked Carole.

  “This morning. Five weeks along,” said Sara.

  “Wondered why you were acting suspicious this morning,” said Grenville.

  “I wanted the doctor to confirm it first before I told anyone, sorry I kept it from you darling,” said Sara.

  “You are forgiven, my love,” said Grenville, laughing.

  “Anything else?” said Grenville, looking around the room. “Good, see you all at the weekend.” Grenville stood. Everyone else stood as well, as the cube hissed and started to open. “Carole, can I have a word before you go?” asked Grenville.

  “Of course, Chairman,” Carole replied, sitting back down.

  Once everyone else had left, Carole re-activated the bubble again. Once it had finished its cycle Grenville said, “Carole, I have a small task for you, I need you to put a profile together on someone for me, if you don’t mind?”

  “Of course, Chairman,” replied Carole.

  Sliding a piece of paper over the desk, Grenville said, “Can you find out everything you can on that name for me?”

  Carole studied the name and said, “Of course, Chairman.” Without touching the piece of paper, Carole smiled and said, “As soon as I have the information I will let you know, Chairman.”

  “And Carole, I would like you to handle this personally, and keep it between us two.” Smiling, Carole nodded at Grenville and understood Grenville’s meaning.

  Once back in his office Grenville took the piece of paper and placed it in his desk top shredder and smiled. Grenville then took the laptop from his bottom drawer and sent an email to Tom:

  Pirate

  Information of Simon Muscrat b
eing processed.

  Duke

  Once Grenville had sent the encrypted email he sat back and closed his eyes. He knew the email would make Tom happy; Tom’s quest was moving forward.

  A few days later the desk intercom went and Michelle said, “Carole would like to meet you in conference room three.”

  As he passed, Grenville told Michelle that if he was required to please come and get him. Michelle smiled and said, “Of course, Chairman.”

  Grenville was the first one in conference room three. Moving to the control panel, he started the cube’s descent. Once it had finished, Grenville stepped inside and waited for Carole. After a few minutes, Carole entered conference room three and stepped into the cube and closed the door. After a silent hiss, the room light went green, letting them know they were now secure. Carole placed the buff colour folder in front of her and smiled at Grenville.

  “Here is a complete background check on Simon Muscrat, including his financial affairs,” said Carole. Grenville smiled and nodded. “Was not easy,” said Carole, “had to route the information via a few dummy IP addresses so the CIA would not get suspicious with someone asking questions on one of their ex field agents. But we got there in the end,” said Carole, smiling. Carole slid the folder over to Grenville, who opened it and started to read the single typed page. As he was studying the page, Carole said, “Of course, this is the only copy and all search data has been erased, so if anyone was checking we are covered. But a quick overview: Muscrat is now out of the CIA and running a successful boat hire business out of Miami.”

  “Thank you, Carole, so much, for your quick and professional work,” said Grenville, smiling.

  “My pleasure, chairman,” said Carole, standing up. “If there is nothing else?” said Carole, unlocking the cube and stepping out.

  Back in his office Grenville scanned the documents into a folder on the laptop; once complete, Grenville shredded the contents of the folder. Grenville sat back at the email he had sent and smiled.

  Pirate