“Yes, I know Tarporley well.” Piers nodded towards the captain. “I’ve seen you about in Weymouth.”
“Indeed? I’ve not seen you, sir.”
The sneer became more marked. “I dare say. I am disinclined to flaunt myself abroad at this present. No doubt the reason leaps to the eye.”
Rhoades glanced at Giff as if for guidance, and Tarporley was looking baffled.
“Yes, they are both familiar with the situation. Rhoades had to know when your hirelings attempted to club me the other day. And Tarporley, as your neighbour, offered his services. He told me of your encroachment on his lands.”
“Did he?” A mocking glance went Tarporley’s way. “Or should we say his encroachment onmylands?”
“But it appears they are not your lands, Gaunt,” the young man snapped, his eyes smouldering.
Giff put up a hand. “Peace! Let us hear what my cousin has to offer by way of compromise — if it is that. A proposition, you said, Piers?”
His head went up, the eyes keen. “Shall we discuss that in private?”
“Not if you mean to try a fall with me.”
“In my book room? With witnesses on the premises? I am not such a fool, Giffard. Come!”
With which, he turned for the door. Giff threw a warning look at the other two men and signalled with his eyes and a jerk of his head. Rhoades nodded. Satisfied they would follow discreetly and remain within range, Giff left the room and found Piers waiting in the hall.
“The book room is at the end of this wing. Follow me.”
Giff trailed behind him through the hall and along corridors, his eye drawn to the panelling that prevailed throughout. Hideous. It made the place both bleak and discomforting. He could not blame his mother for leaving, even had Matt not been in question. The prospect of living in it filled him with revulsion, comparing poorly against the airy comfort of his home in Bishnupur. Positively palatial when set against this monstrosity.
The library proved a large apartment, a degree more welcoming, with wide windows letting onto a view of rolling hills beyond. Yet it too was dulled by the dark wood of shelving all around the walls, the leather spines of the tomes within, and the huge desk dominating the open space. The only touch of lightness and colour came in the red-patterned carpet and the stark contrast of white marble in the mantelpiece and surround to the fireplace.
Piers took up a stance before this, leaning his elbow on the mantel and cocking his head on one side as he looked at Giff. “You are wondering what I could possibly offer to satisfy you.”
Giff threw up his eyes. “Cut line, Piers. I’m in no mood for your false poses. What do you want? Tell me in plain words.”
The thin mouth curved in that mocking look. “In plain words then, cousin, I am prepared to forgo attempting to appropriate the title if you will return to India and leave me in possession of the estate.”
A short laugh escaped Giff. “Just like that? What, are you proposing to act as my steward? Agent?”
“Call it what you will. I care nothing for such terms. But I don’t propose to run the place for your benefit. I will continue as I have done. If you choose to let the world believe I do so on your behalf, so be it. In reality, however, you will cede all rights in the property to me.”
“Will I, by God?”
“If you are wise.”
“And if I’m not?”
“Then the battle continues, cousin. You have no proof, or you would have presented it by this time. You may choose the long game and waste your substance — which I understand to be considerable — fattening the pockets of dilatory lawyers while we wrangle. These things go on for years.”
Giff eyed him, a rise of contempt in his breast. “So I’m to overlook all these attempts on my life and your avowed purpose of having me kidnapped and shipped off to the Americas?”
Piers did not look in the least disconcerted. He smiled, unpleasantly. “Again, you have no proof, Giffard. You cannot say any of these attacks were by my instigation.”
“Oh? I collect you did not then speak frankly of your schemes to Miss Burloyne when you met first in Weymouth?”
“Her word against mine.”
“But if we capture your felons, they can be made to talk.”
The sneer came. “I know nothing of any felons, my dear cousin.”