"The Night of the Declaration" part 3
(3) Kensington Manor was not just grand, it was palatial, appearing on the horizon a good mile before the carriage reached the impressive stone gateposts.
“I’ve seen some remarkable homes in my time,” Artie ventured, “but this is indeed stately!” He poked his head out the window and admired the view.
“It has all the mod-cons you can imagine, and maybe some you can’t.” Leroy responded, not trying to hide the pride in his voice. “Mr Fortescue is a true Victorian innovator, and has engineered many things here to run on steam power. He studied the famous British engineer Kingdom Brunel’s work and created some useful devices for the property and the town generally. I’m confident you’ll find it very amenable here, gentlemen.” Jim and Artie smiled hopefully at one another.
The carriage pulled in through the massive wrought iron gates and travelled along a neat, paved drive, coming to a halt under a generous porte cochere, where they all alighted, watching as the carriage disappeared along the rest of the drive and away around the building. Jim and Artie cast observant eyes over it, noticing the teal paintwork and polished brass fittings shining in the sunlight.
“That was sure a cushy fit-out,” Artie said quietly to Jim. “We might have to have a chat to the upholsterers about the train!”
“Don’t get your hopes up,” Jim grinned. “I can’t see the Prez springing for new sofas just yet.”
“Pity,” Artie said, nodding ruefully. “Anyway, let’s see what all this is about.” They followed Leroy Wyatt in through a grand entrance and looked about them appreciatively. They had, in their travels all about the United States, seen some ostentatious, indeed spectacular, displays of wealth in people’s residences and embassies, but found themselves instead entering a space that lacked the dazzling glitz and glamour of those flashy places, favouring in contrast unpretentious good taste and refinement, from the wall colours to the window treatments, the light sconces to the floor coverings. It was all very understated, but neither of them missed the quality in everything around them. There was an atmosphere of reverential quiet, yet both felt that activity was going on just out of sight.
“Feels quite restful in here, wouldn’t you say, Artie?” Jim asked, turning about to get the measure of the place. “I could easily spend time here.”
“I’m not normally one for atmosphere, Jim, I’m sure you know, but yes…it does feel like a nice place, a bit like coming home.” He nodded as his eyes took in the paintings and furniture in the spacious entrance hall. Doorways led off in all directions. A figure appeared at the one farthest from the entrance doors, and both Jim and Artie stopped their admiring to address the older gentleman approaching them with his hand outstretched.
“Welcome gentlemen, to Kensington Manor. I’m so pleased to have you here. I’m Fortescue Weston. How do you do.” His handshake, when he gripped Jim’s hand, was firm, which matched the upright appearance of its owner, and Jim noted with surprise that Mr Fortescue Weston appeared much younger than he’d imagined. Artie, too, showed surprise on his face as he shook hands in greeting.
“Ah, I see, young man, “Mr Fortescue said, turning to speak to Jim, “you seem taken aback by my appearance. Perhaps you thought I was as grizzled as our mutual friend President Grant…?” Before either of the two agents could answer, Mr Weston turned to Leroy Wyatt.
“Leroy, could you please ask Cook to have the afternoon tea sent to my office? I’ll take our guests there and fill them in. Thank you.” Leroy nodded and left the hall. Mr Weston in his turn indicated a different doorway and led the way along a wide and tastefully decorated corridor to a large and sunny office, and pointed to easy chairs near the window, away from the substantial desk along one wall.