“Good. Because this little piece of paper will allow you and Paul to wed immediately. If you do that—pay attention here—your inheritance willrevert to your husbandas soon as you sign the marriage license.”
“So it won’t matter whether I’m alive or dead? They’ll never get it?”
“Correct.” Letitia leaned back with a sigh. “You do understand. I’m so glad.”
Harriet clenched her teeth. “What I understand is that thanks to those…thosecreatures, I’ll never get my hands on money that should rightfully be mine.”
“I don’t believe Paul would abscond with it, dear,” observed Letitia.
“No, I didn’t mean that, of course, it’s just…” Harriet groaned. “What a damnable mess.”
“So that’s why the family is unanimous in this, Harry. The best—theonly—solution is for you to marry Paul. At once.”
“And just how am I to explain it to him?”
Letitia grinned. “Oh, good God, my dear. Just let nature take its course. It helps that you’re in love with him already.”
