Page 36 of A Brooding Christmas Promise
Charlotte moved to look out to the shop, seeing Lady Foster and Lady Barcsay talking together. They were both holding a mask in their hand, though that in itself made Charlotte frown. It was not as though they had been invited to the masquerade, so why would they be seeking to purchase such a thing? As she watched, they made their way to the counter and within a few minutes, had not only purchased the masks but had stepped back outside, allowing Charlotte and Amelia to find their freedom.
“If our brother has not written to us, then I intend to go to our father’s solicitors directly,” Charlotte stated, a fresh determination rushing through her as Amelia’s eyes flared in surprise again. “I am tired of hearing what might be and what could be, without having any certainty on the matter! If Lord Hesterway will deign to attend with me, then – ”
“Of course he shall, as shall I,” Amelia said quickly, as Charlotte made her way across the shop to pick up the mask, bringing it to the counter to pay for it. “But let us hope that our brother has written. Mayhap he will be able to give us some insight into why Lady Barcsay has made her way here.”
Amelia caught her arm, bringing Charlotte to a pause. “I am sorry, Charlotte. I know that you expected me to send your letter and I did not.”
Charlotte nodded, not smiling but not angry either. “I understand why you did it. Truth be told, things have altered for me so significantly, I must confess to being a little relieved that she does not know of it all.”
“Then you forgive me?”
Without hesitation, Charlotte nodded. “I do, of course. Now, let us return home as quickly as possible. I want to see if there is any insight from our brother – and thereafter, what our solicitors themselves might have to say.”
***
Charlotte straightened herself up as she walked into the solicitors office. There had been no letter from her brother, no explanation for what might have taken place at the estate which had sent her stepmother to London and thus, Charlotte had determined to make her way to the solicitors to ask some questions about her father’s will. Whether it had been the arrival of Lady Barcsay or the admission to her sister that she had an affection for Lord Crestwood, Charlotte did not know but whatever it was, it was forcing her into action.
“I am not certain that they will tell you anything, I am afraid,” Lord Hesterway murmured, as they waited to be admitted. “But let us hope that they shall say something at least!”
“Indeed,” Amelia murmured, coming to stand beside Charlotte. “With the three of us present, there will be a good deal of influence, at least!”
Charlotte said nothing, her stomach twisting with nerves as the door opened and a man bowed first of all before standing back to permit them all to enter. She lifted her chin and walked in directly, sitting down in one of the chairs which were in front of the solicitor’s desk. “Mr Greer, I presume?”
“Yes, it is.” The man made his way around to the other side of his desk, his head bobbing forward a little as though he was not quite certain whether or not he ought to bow or not. “Lord and Lady Hesterway, Miss Millerton – please, do tell me what it is that I can do for you.”
Charlotte glanced at her sister and then spoke, silently praying that there would come an easy answer from the man. “My sister and I have come to speak with you about our late father’s will.”
“Lord Barcsay, yes.” The man’s small eyes glinted. “Your brother, however, has taken on the title, yes?”
“Yes, but he could not be present.” Charlotte kept her voice steady as she looked back at him. “I understand that the will was, unfortunately, lost. Is that not so?”
The solicitor blinked.
Silence flooded the room.
Charlotte’s breath hitched, her heart slamming hard against her chest.
“It was not lost?” she asked, after a few more seconds had past. “I was told that – ”
“The mail coach where the will was being transported was unfortunately held up, yes,” the solicitor said, slowly, “though the will itself was recovered, albeit with some damage.”
Her chest grew so tight, it was painful. Charlotte’s hands curled into fists, her fingers digging into the soft skin of her palms as dizziness broke over her. If this wasnotas she had believed, then what did it all mean?
“Can I confirm that you are stating that the willwasrecovered?” Amelia’s voice was thin, clearly just as astonished as Charlotte felt. “We did not… that is to say, we were unaware.”
The solicitor frowned. “I am dreadfully sorry. I am certain that correspondence was sent to the new Lord Barcsay informing him of it. We had to take great care over the will, inattempting to make certain it was restored as best it could be. Thankfully, after some time, all that was written there remained quite clear.”
“Then… then you have it all?” Charlotte asked, her heart still beating painfully. “Including the addendum?”
The solicitor frowned, rubbing one hand over his chin.
Charlotte closed her eyes, blood roaring in her ears. She already knew what the answer was going to be.
“I do not recall there being such a thing, I confess,” the solicitor said, slowly, “though it has been some time. If you wish – and I will need the permission of Lord Barcsay also, of course – I will look through the will again and make certain that what I have said is the truth. Though, and I say this with the awareness that I might well be wrong, I do not know if I have ever seen such a thing. We spent a lot of time making certain it was restored and I do not recall ever seeing such a thing.”
Silence flooded the room and Charlotte, her eyes still closed, bit her lip hard to stop herself from crying out. What was it that her stepmother had done? What purpose had there been in attempting to keep Charlotte to herself and to her own company if that was what had occurred?
“You say that you do not recall seeing it? Could it be that it itself was lost?”
