George was running late. He put his horse to the gallop and finally reined up in front of Aunt Rosemary’s house.
He was promptly shown into the parlor were Helena and Aunt were already having tea.
“You are late, young man,” Rosemary scolded.
“Yes. I am sorry, but Thomas and I were with my father, discussing our new business proposition. If he were to invest with us, it would give us a huge step up.”
“Young man, your darling Helena has been telling me the terrible tale of the way my brother has been behaving toward the two of you. Most distressing.”
Helena looked adoringly at her beau. “Shall I pour you some tea, my dear?”
“I had tea with Father but thank you.”
“What a fuss and bother,” Aunt said, rising from her chair and going over to her desk. “My brother—though I love him dearly— has become increasingly mean and cranky in his old age. I would love to poke him with my stick, but then I fear he would never speak to me again.”
Rosemary wrote briefly on a paper and came back to her chair and sat. She took a moment to rearrange herself and her skirts. Then sat back and sighed.
“My dearest Sebastian was a very good provider, although he could be a terrible husband at times. After his death, and after I returned to England, I have lived a most comfortable life.” She picked up the paper she had brought with her to her chair.
Turning to Helena, she said, “I am most distressed to hear that my cruel brother has threatened to disinherit you if you marry George.” She then turned to him. “Mr. Edgerton, in all the time I have spent with you these past few months, I have found you to be honorable, caring, and a young man with drive and a modicum of wisdom.”
“Thank you, Mrs. Broadbent.”
She waved the thanks away and continued. “My dear, niece, I am getting on in age, and it has prompted me to consider my demise and how I want to dispose of my property.”
“Aunt it is far too early to be having those thoughts,” Helena said.
“Nonsense. I may have a rather strange outlook on life, but I am also knowledgeable and practical. Now, I have previously decided to leave you a generous amount of money in my will…”
“Oh, Aunt…”
Rosemary raised her hand to stop Helena speaking farther. “However, I have decided to make a change.”
“Oh…” Helena exclaimed, now disappointed. “You are angry with me for my break with father.”
“Will you stop putting words in my mouth, Niece? That is not what I wanted to say at all.”
“Forgive me,” Helena added.
“What I want to say is that I have decided to settle that money on you now. I want the two of you to be able to marry even if your father disinherits you.”
Helena and George were stunned into silence.
“There, that is what I have to say.” She handed the paper to Helena. “This is the amount I will be leaving you. I shall meet with my bankers and make arrangements for the money to be put into an account just for you. You can see it is a sizable amount and the interest should give you a modest, but comfortable, living if you manage it soundly.”
Helena jumped out of her chair and ran to her Aunt and threw her arms around her.
“Oh, dearest Aunt, how ever can I thank you? You have saved us.”
George went over and vigorously shook Rosemary’s hand.
“Very well. Very well. Enough of the fuss. Now I am going to leave the room to you for a while and let you make your plans—as I know you are longing to do so.”
And with that, she rose from her chair and left the two of them alone.
George and Helena sat opposite each other holding hands and staring into each other’s eyes.
“Can you believe this?” Helena said breathlessly. She handed George the paper so he could see what Aunt had left her.
