Page 39 of Forsaken Secrets

"Well then," she stood and shook her skirts before holding out a large velvet bag and dipping into a curtsey, "here is our payment."

Lady Ellingsworth refused to look down. She just held her hand out imperiously for the bag. A small smile flitted across her lips as she hefted it in front of her face and the coins inside made a satisfying clatter. Then she nodded and handed it to her silent manservant.

"Yes. Thank you. Now, for the other matter."

My heart dropped. There was always something else.

She gestured towards the surrounding room, lips pinched. "The house seems to be in a rough state, wouldn't you say Brenton?" Her manservant nodded, eyes fixed on some space behind us.

My mind raced. Just what was she scheming?

The house was certainly in need of some repairs. But what did that have to do with her?

She continued. "We also had a brief walk about your estate, and there are quite a few areas in need of repair there, as well."

My stomach dropped. I knew where this was headed.

"In fact, it looks as though there's a large section of cliff that recently collapsed?"

Aunt Grace turned to me, eyes wide. Damn. I really should have told her about the cliff yesterday.

I cleared my throat. "That's only to be expected. All of Gleyma is built atop ruins and everyone knows it's unstable."

"Perhaps. But what happens when someone is standing on that land when it collapses? Who will be responsible for the costs of such a … misfortune?"

I thought back to Eli the day before and grimaced.

"Since the late Lord Harlsted passed, you've all done your best. But we," she paused and feigned a look of sympathy, "know you simply do not have the funds to keep up the estate to the level expected of a Ridge home. And, as it is the collateral for your loan, we're … concerned."

My stomach ached as the final piece fell into place.

Her lips twisted into a satisfied smirk, and she met my eyes. "We'll need the full repayment of the loan by the next due date or we'll repossess the home."

I stood, angry words already forming on my tongue, but she held her hand out. "No, no. I know what you're going to say, and truly, it breaks my heart to do this — "

Ha. She'd always hated us and wanted us out of the area. We lowered the value just by being here.

As if a single estate would really keep people away from the Ridge … it was just priced beyond the means of all but the most wealthy, and full of viperous old biddies like her.

Who would want to live here?

" — However, we've already done all the paperwork and we've had our man come out to look. He agrees the house won't hold for another winter without some serious repairs. And we all know you can't do anything to repair it on your own." She looked at the threadbare carpet beneath our feet, the scratches on the wood of the chairs and Sylvie standing there — hands clasped, then shrugged as if to ask what else we'd expected.

I seethed. How dare they! The house certainly would not fall about our ears anytime soon! It was in disrepair, but nowhere near falling down.

And the land?

Well, they had a point about the cliffs, but it was a good half-mile from the house! We were in no danger of falling into the bay. And we had signs to warn trespassers. Was it really our fault if they ignored them?

Even if we could find a way out of this specific mess, were we doomed to live under their thumb for the rest of our lives?

No. I wouldn't consider that possibility.

But how could we come up with the rest of the loan in one week? That simply wasn't possible. Not with the Season just beginning.

Was this why Lord Ellingsworth had seemed so apologetic? He hadn't been able to do anything to stop it? No. Surely he'd have done something if he'd known …

Aunt Grace's calm voice brought me out of my panic. "Lady Ellingsworth, I appreciate your concern. I hope you understand that we'll be pursuing our own appraisal of the property, as well?"

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