“We’ll clean up the lawn after the last stragglers have left,” Graham added. “Come with us to the parlor, in the meantime. We’ve got something else you’ve been looking for.”
“I’ll buy you a new front door,” added Elizabeth. “For now, pretend it’s a whimsical wooden carpet decorating the open entrance.”
Miss Oak’s eyes widened.
“I’ll ring for tea,” said Stephen. “I think we could all use a cup.”
When they reached the parlor, Marjorie and Philippa handed out the cups and saucers from atop the tea cabinet.
“This is the deed,” said Miss Oak, “but without my sister’s will—”
Elizabeth hurried over to the emptied cabinet and placed her finger above the thorn-shaped secret button. “Ready?”
Miss Oak leaned forward. “Is that a fresh wound on your hand?”
“Pah,” said Elizabeth. “That’s nothing important. It won’t even scar. Watch this!”
She pressed the button, which caused the spring-loaded panel to fly open.
Miss Oak gasped. “A secret compartment!”
Elizabeth pulled out the countess’s will, and handed it to Miss Oak. “Yours, at last. I don’t even think I got blood on the parchment.”
Miss Oak unfolded the document. “My sister’s handwriting! You found the will, just as you said you would.” She pressed the papers to her bosom. “How can I ever thank you all?”
“It’s not settled yet,” said Elizabeth. “You inherited the castle, but no funds with which to support it. I’ve not yet discussed details with my siblings, but I think we—”
“But I do have funds,” said Miss Oak. “Mr. Lenox set up a trust for me. The interest alone will more than cover the expenses of staff and meals and ongoing castle maintenance.”
“Of course he did.” Elizabeth grinned at Stephen. “You wily fox.”
He blinked innocently.
Miss Oak tucked the will and the deed into her reticule. “Need I still worry about Richard Reddington?”
“Not for a single second,” Graham assured her. “Your papers are in order, and the castle is legally yours. If you’re amenable, Marjorie will create a spare copy for you and your original solicitor, while the original documents will be held for safekeeping by a trusted lawyer who frequently handles Wynchester affairs.”
“Thank you,” said Miss Oak. “That sounds wonderful.”
“Reddington is so used to money and status making his every wish come true,” said Elizabeth. “I’m glad this time, it’s Miss Oak and her sister’s wishes coming true.”
Miss Oak smiled. “Not just me and my sister. This will mean the world to several new employees and one hundred worthy children, who now will have a stable new home. Thank you. You’ll never know how much this means to me. To all of us.”
“We have some idea,” Tommy murmured. “Call on us whenever you please.”
Maids arrived with the kettle and cakes, and soon the chatter turned to plans for the future rather than the trials of the past.
Stephen was glad Miss Oak knew exactly how she intended to utilize the trust he’d set up for her and her school. Even if that meant Densmore’s aunt no longer needed Stephen, either. Like theWynchesters, she now had all the tools she needed to live the life she wanted. A life that had nothing to do with an eccentric tinker.
When the tea was over, Stephen glanced out the window to discover even the castle itself no longer needed him. He’d planned to help clean up the detritus on the lawn, but the servants had already completed the task.
Reddington was long gone, as were his men and the ticket holders, so there was no one to chase away. Stephen could order a new door, but Elizabeth was handling that. All that remained for him to do was to gather his things and vacate the premises so that Miss Oak could get started building her new school.
“Well,” said Graham. “Time to pack our valises.”
“I never unpacked,” said Kuni.
“I can help you dismantle your souvenir machines,” Stephen offered.
