She was glad she and Rafe had worn their finest wardrobe so they would not shame the nobleman prepared to stand up for them and the children.
Damien and the manor’s solicitor, Mr.Browning, presented all the documents they’d located and made their case.There didn’t seem to be any doubt that Daniel was the heir to a viscountcy.The devil was in the details.That’s why Verity and Minerva were there, despite gentlemanly disapproval.
The late viscount’s solicitors from Bath had folders and documents of their own.They presented his will for Mr.Browning and Damien to read.The hidden journal had provided enough information to locate where the late Major Thomas Turner had lefthiswill—not the old one the lying Cooper had showed them.
With marriage and birth documents secured, the legal part was all clear and aboveboard.Daniel was the new Lord Chatham, heir to a modest estate and fortune.
Verity threaded her fingers together in her lap and prayed as they began discussing schools and guardianship.In a pause in the discussion while Hunt brought out the brandy decanter and a maid delivered tea, she finally spoke.“The children need a mother, not some distant guardian who won’t be around to wipe their tears.They have been terrorized to the point of not speaking.They cannot be given over to strangers who treat them only as a means of making a living.”
She’d practiced that small speech all day.She’d be quaking in her shoes had she stood.She wasn’t shy.She simply wasn’t accustomed to standing up to men.
“In an ideal world, Mrs...”The solicitor from Bath couldn’t even remember her name.
“Mrs.Russell.”Rafe provided it emphatically.
“No one can bring their mother back.We’ll find a good nanny for the little girl.”The solicitor continued with impatience.
“Daphne,” Verity inserted, imitating Rafe’s irritation.
“For Daphne.”The solicitor was a little more annoyed at her interruption.“But Lord Chatham needs to be in a school where he will meet others of his rank who will help him become the man he needs to be to run our great country.”
A few cynical snorts followed that declaration, and Verity waited for the American Hunt or the political marquess to wade into the fray.Amazingly, they didn’t.They allowed her to state her case.
Filling her lungs and finding her courage, she glared at the solicitor and continued in a firm voice.“Of course Daniel should have an education, as should Daphne.I am a teacher.I respect that they’ll have enormous responsibilities in the future and should be well educated and prepared accordingly.Right now, however, they are terrified babes who have just lost both their parents.All they know is a small cottage and a very limited world.You cannot begin to imagine how brave they were to walk the woods at night in search of a church and help.They areamazingchildren.”
She was in danger of rambling.She caught her breath and Rafe reached over to squeeze her hands.
“They’ll adapt, as children do,” the solicitor said with a dismissive wave.“The main concern is the guardian responsible for the estate?—”
The bored former Lord Chatham abruptly sat up straight.
Enraged, Verity discarded any remaining timidity and pushed to her feet to lean over the table.“NO.It isnot.I—” She swung her hand to indicate everyone at the table.“I and everyone in the Priory can tell you fromexperience, that money is theleastimportant part of growing up secure and happy.Children need a circle of family and friends who will provide love and understanding and support so they can grow up to be the very best they can be.Money is nice.People arenecessary.”
Shaking, she sat down before she fell down.
Before the lawyers could find their tongues after that outraged speech, Minerva rose.“I and almost everyone in the Priory are descendants of the late Earl of Wycliffe.Between us, we are related to, have gone to school with, and have married into half the aristocracy, at the very least.Yes, eventually, Lord Chatham must have the same education as the earl’s great-grandsons, who are currently being tutored upstairs by an educated gentlemen the Duke of Castlefield recommended.But right now, they’re too young, as is Daniel.He needs to know he has a family and people he can count on first.He can do that here, under the tutelage of Mr.Birdwhistle and Mrs.Russell, forming the friendships he’ll need to survive the rigors of boarding school and university.”
Rafe chuckled.Damien, Hunt, and Paul grinned broadly.Even Mr.Browning, the manor’s solicitor, hid a smile.
Verity offered a prayer of gratitude and relief for this wonderful home she had found.
Clutching her hands and not standing this time, she used her best schoolteacher voice.“Rafe and I only wish legal guardianship so we might act as their mother would have.As I understand it, she has been raising them on the limited funds of their father’s trust, without anyone’s aid, and has done a fine job.”
She took a deep breath to settle her nerves.“I have my own money.Rafe has a business plus a salary.We have a home.We don’t need as much she did.We can send the invoices for their tutoring and clothes directly to you.Money is not thepoint.We will love them as their mother did.We will raise them in a community that wants the best for them.They will have more nannies and governesses and tutors than any fortune could pay for.If you must think about trust funds and estates—look at Mr.Turner.He probably needs our help too, but he’s of age and Daniel’s heir.Unless you wish him to fall into debt and drunkenness, shouldn’t he receive an education in how to run an estate and be given an opportunity to marry well?Had that been done in the first place, none of this needed to have happened.”
Hunt clapped.Verity blushed and shut up.
Rafe pushed his chair back so he could hook his fingers in his waistcoat over his massive chest, as he liked to do when he wanted to intimidate.Then he used his best boarding school accent.“My wife is the granddaughter of Lord Higginbottom, the daughter of a wealthy shipping magnate and financier, an excellent teacher, and to my eternal gratitude, a brilliant keeper of accounts.She can probably teach the boy—” He cast the now upright and listening Mr.Turner a glance.“—boysmore than any school.Greek is all very well and erudite for lounging about London, but learning how to run an estate is essential for prosperity.No school can teach that.”
Blessedly, Damien pushed official-looking documents toward the Bath solicitors.“We have drawn up simple guardianship papers for your perusal.If you mean to appoint Mr.Turner as guardian of the estate, you’ll need to draw those up separately.The Russells are only concerned with the well-being of the children.”
Young Mr.Turner was on his feet and pounding the stiff-necked solicitors on the back.“I wholly approve.I’m not good at monitoring minors, but I have that education you claim the heir needs.I have friends.I can keep my uncle’s estate running until my cousin comes of age.Just try me!”
He was just as likely to run it into the ground unless they tied his hands, but that wasn’t the point either.Verity fought back tears, terrified they’d have to fight this all the way to the highest court when the solution was so simple.
The Marquess of Spalding lazily unfolded his slender frame from the library chair.“Most excellent decision, gentlemen.My friend, Mr.Sutter here, has the approval of the Duke of Castlefield as well as mine.He can help you draw up the estate papers, if needed.Your heir is in most excellent hands.I understand the ladies have an entertainment prepared to welcome the new year, if you’d care to join us.”
Verity’s jaw dropped.Rafe nudged it shut and offered a hand to help her up.A marquess and a duke defended her?A viscount’s solicitors wouldn’t stand a chance against such powerful men.
