He looked at Finn, gave a slight nod. “Trewlove. We don’t seem to meet under the best of circumstances.” He turned his attention back to Vivi. “I knew there had been a boy in your youth. It was he, I assume.”
“Yes. It’s a long story.”
“Perhaps you’ll share it sometime. Meanwhile, I want you to know I cannot condone what Mother did. I shall be moving her into the dower house posthaste as I cannot inflict her upon my wife, my heir, or any future children.”
“Your relationship with her is your business, not mine.”
He nodded, darting a glance between Finn and Vivi. “I need you to be aware of the status of your dowry.”
“Neville, that dowry will pass on to your daughter as I’m not going to marry some duke—”
“Hear me out.”
She gave him an acquiescing nod.
“As you are well aware, the property of Wood’s End was placed in a trust to be used as a dowry for the first daughter of an Earl of Collinsworth who married. I’ve spent considerable time reviewing the terms of the trust and speaking with my solicitor because I had hoped to find a way to sell it to Thornley. It buttresses up against his ancestral estate, and you know how desperately he wanted it.”
“Enough to marry a woman he didn’t love.”
“I think he’d have come to love you eventually.” He waved his hand. “But that is neither here nor there now. What is important is that the dowry remains in a trust as it was intended. In spite of everything, and I don’t blame you in the least for hating us all at this moment—”
Reaching out, she touched his arm. “I don’t hate you.”
“I am still struggling with my ignorance on the matter. Had I paid more attention—”
“It wouldn’t have made any difference.”
“You’re kind to say so, but it will be a while before I can accept that. However, I digress. Should you marry, the trust dissolves and the land passes over to your husband. At which point, you—he—could sell it. I know for a fact that Thornley will pay a princely sum for it. It might be enough to see you nicely situated in whatever life you choose. I wish I could offer you more, but I will help where I can.”
“I told the countess true. I can make my own way.”
“I completely understand your wish to never see her again, but I do hope you will consider not making yourself too scarce when it comes to me and my family.”
Finn watched as she hugged her brother. “Thank you, Neville.”
When she stepped out of his embrace, the earl looked at Finn. “You will take care of her.”
“It will be my pleasure to do so.”
“I’m sorry there was not more welcome news.”
“Goodbye,” she said quietly, and he knew she wasn’t yet ready to contemplate all of the unwelcomed news.
They turned for the door.
“Oh, wait,” Collinsworth called out. “How did you get here?”
Vivi looked at Finn, then the earl. “A hansom.”
“I rode my horse,” Finn told him.
“Let me have a carriage brought around. It’s the least I can do.”
“Thank you,” Finn said, thinking her brother wasn’t such a bad fellow after all as he escorted Vivi out of the manor.
Robin popped up from where he’d been sitting on the steps and dusted some crumbs from his jacket.
“The cook gave you your biscuit, did she?” Vivi asked, and Finn heard the slight lifting of her mood in her voice. He also realized that’s what had brought Robin to the kitchens when he’d been speaking with the servants.
