Page 39 of Lords, Ladies and Love

“Well, now that we are all here, shall we begin?” Mr. Barton asked, looking to Theo.

Theo gave a stiff nod. “If you please.”

The lawyer tweaked his cravat and pushed spindly glasses back up his nose. “As you are aware, your grandfather had no sons and there are no male relatives to inherit.”

Seth masked a yawn with the back of his hand. Despite his promises to be punctual and well-turned out, he may have indulged in a rather late night with a rather spectacular widow. Still, he’d arrived on time, even if he was not wholly awake. He was not certain why he really had to be here at all. Their grandfather had been a rather wealthy man, and with only one surviving daughter—their mother—it was assumed most of his wealth would go to her and perhaps some to Theo.

Seth shifted his attention from the memory of Mrs. Lockett’s luscious curves to the clammy face of Mr. Barton while the man droned on.

“My daughter will inherit a sum of one thousand a year for the rest of her natural life and my beloved family home—Holbury Hall.” Mr. Barton glanced at their mother.

Seth wanted to reach over and give her hand a squeeze but her face was a mask of dignity. She would be pleased to keep the family home, though. They all had some excellent memories from their childhood there.

Mr. Barton licked his lips and drew out a handkerchief to dab his forehead. “And finally, I, George Lockett, decree that my grandchildren, herein named, will inherit the rest of my fortune in its entirety, so long as they fulfill the following terms.”

What the bloody hell did that mean? Following terms? Angel caught his eye, and Seth made a face and shrugged. Seth had not anticipated inheriting anything, but they all knew the funds were needed, whether they went to Theo or each of them. After their brother had been swindled by his late wife, they all had vowed to take as little as possible from him. Living the life of a rake on a pauper’s wage was no easy feat, however.

“Each person must complete their task to my lawyer’s satisfaction or their share of the inheritance shall be forfeit,” Mr. Barton continued.

Seth leaned in then shifted back in his chair. Forfeit? He wasn’t certain he liked the sound of that. He glanced at his siblings. Angel looked at them all while Minerva pursed her lips and opened her mouth before shutting it again. Theo tugged his jacket straight.

Angel huffed and held up a finger. “Mr. Barton, if I may, what on earth do you mean by ‘task’? And to whom will the money be forfeit?”

The lawyer shifted in his seat and scanned the paper in front of him. “I was just…um…about to get to that.”

“Well…?” Angel pressed.

“Angel,” Mama hissed.

Pouting, Angel folded her arms across her chest and tapped a finger against an arm.

“Let’s see.” Mr. Barton’s brow puckered. “Ah.”

“What is it?” Theo asked, a hint of irritation edging his voice.

“If you are unable to fulfill your tasks to my satisfaction, all remaining inheritance shall be bestowed upon a Mr. Hastings.”

A sharp inhale of breath echoed around the room. Seth straightened in his chair. No. Bloody. Chance.

“That’s preposterous,” Theo blurted.

“Theo,” Mama scolded.

Seth shook his head. “What the devil was Grandfather thinking?”

Hastings—the charlatan of a man—had separated from their cousin and brought utter scandal upon their family when he tried to gain a divorce and run off with a nursemaid to Ireland. Grandfather had loathed the man and been quite riled by the whole thing. They hadn’t even seen Hastings in five years. Why the heck would he wish to give money to that bastard?

Minerva shook her head. “This cannot be right. He would never give his money to that man.”

Mr. Barton lifted his shoulders. “The will is quite clear. Should you fail, Mr. Hastings shall inherit.”

“He is not even family,” Theo said, his tone bitter.

Seth drew in a breath. This was getting them nowhere. “You said there were tasks, correct?” Seth leaned back in his chair and waved a hand. “We’ll do whatever it is that Grandfather wanted of us and that will be the end of the matter.”

Mr. Barton’s dimpled cheeks reddened. “Well, ah, the instructions are extremely specific. All four grandchildren must complete their tasks within two months of this reading.”

Seth gave a shrug. “Easy enough.”

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