A Kiss from the Heart by Barbara Cartland Page A

in.
    As soon as she saw Hoarcroft and his cronies, she blurted out her confession and implicated another kitchen maid who was then summoned.
    â€œYou are most fortunate that I am not involving the Police,” the Earl told them sternly. “Now pack your bags, all of you. You are dismissed.”
    Hoarcroft was accompanied back to his cottage by two of the Hall’s largest grooms and they ensured that he left the estate at once.
    Effie and the other kitchen maid were taken in the cart to the village and dropped off in the Market Square. The hired help were told to leave the estate at once and under no circumstances be seen in the environs again or the Police would be alerted.
    â€œWell done!” exclaimed Sir George, as they finally relaxed in the study. “Today you have stepped up to the mark and shown you are not a man to be trifled with. You will find no further trouble from your servants – a show of strength will send a clear message to the ranks.”
    â€œI could not have done it without you, Sir George. You supplied the vital clues.”
    â€œIt was nothing you would not have discovered for yourself given more time. But there was no time to be had. The matter needed urgent attention.”
    Sighing heavily, the Earl leaned back in his chair. He felt exhausted but satisfied at the same time.
    â€œI don’t suppose you know of a gamekeeper I could engage?” he asked.
    â€œI have a man in mind,” replied Sir George, lighting up a cigar. “I will send him to the Hall in the morning. He used to work at a friend’s estate. He was also in India for a time. He is indeed an excellent man and there should be no complaints.”
    As he rang for Stringer to bring Sir George’s hat, the Earl could not wait to inform his mother of the day’s occurrences.
    â€˜I want her to be proud of me!’ he said to himself, as he shook Sir George’s hand.
    *
    The Earl’s involvement in the estate seemed to fire his enthusiasm for the task he had dreaded for so long. He found himself waking early the next morning and was in the study by seven o’clock looking at estate plans.
    It had occurred to him a few days earlier that some improvements were needed to revitalise the tired estate.
    â€˜Ledbury Hall has always been very significant and I should maintain that legacy,’ he resolved as the gong for breakfast sounded.
    His mother was full of praise over breakfast.
    â€œDarling, your father would be so very proud!” she declared, as she buttered her toast. “Hopefully everything will soon return to normal.”
    â€œI think that may not happen yet awhile. I have had some ideas for improvements, Mama. So I would not rely on it being quiet for long!”
    â€œA splendid idea, Robert! The Hall should be as modern as possible so that people will admire it from far and wide. And we must maintain our position as the most influential family in the County!”
    But his enthusiasm did not last for long.
    Returning to the study he was suddenly faced with the huge piles of correspondence that still needed replies.
    â€˜How am I going to cope?’ he muttered, looking at it anew. ‘I had thought to ask Papa’s old secretary, Miss Jenkins, to return to the Hall. But no one has a clue where she is now!’
    Putting the correspondence problem to the back of his mind, he once again pulled out the plans he had begun to view before breakfast.
    â€˜Yes,’ he mused. ‘If we demolish these old farm buildings in the North fields, we could erect a new dairy farm. That is something the estate lacks and this land here could be filled with quite a few workmen’s cottages. Yes, a dairy would be a great addition to the estate!’
    He took out his notebook and wrote in it adding a few rudimentary sketches.
    â€˜Alec’s knowledge will be invaluable. He will no doubt have some suggestions to improve on my templates.’
    He worked on for some