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“Eh? How did ye know ht ye be?” asked Mr Fowler He eyed them with open suspicion

The duke inclined his head “I aate I have heard that you are looking for land in the vicinity As it happens, a friend ofup for sale”

“Is that so? Well, Yer Grace…”

“Come, do sit with us so that we racious manner

“Thankee, think I will,” replied the runner taking up a chair and sinking heavily upon its stiff wood seat

The duke procured a tankard of ale for thethat Speenham looked uncomfortable He had to wonder at it

Mr Fowler took a long pull of his ale before setting his pewterdown “There now, you say this friend of yers has some land?”

“Indeed yes, he is looking to sell off a sizeable plot,” the duke answered auspiciously

“May I know his naaze, re the duke of a wary cat

“Of course, though I must caution you that this is most confidential”

Mr Fowler acknowledged this by nodding Alfred Speenham continued to watch in silence

“It is,” the duke lowered his voice, “the Viscount Skippendon’s land Though I am not familiar with the terested the duke blandly

“Is that so? Well, I a near water, ye see”

“Just so This parcel borders the Wharfdale River, you know,” the duke offered enthusiastically

“Well, well, does it now?” Fowler gave nothing away from his stolid expression “When I’m ready, I shall be happy to approach him then, I will, but for now I think I’ll jest keepin particular”