Not that Eve thought her husband deserved a full year of mourning from any of them, but society would judge them poorly if they failed to observe such a ritual.
“Rhododendron and I can go to the school, if you’d like,” her son—in—law, a former vicar, suggested. Yes, her two younger daughters ought to hear of their father’s death from Rhoda.
“Thank you, Carlisle.” She nodded. “But don’t pull them out of school. I don’t want to compromise their educations right now.”
“We’ll come to Pebble’s Gate afterwards, Mama.” It was Rhoda who reached across to squeeze her mother’s hand this time before glancing over her shoulder at her husband.
Lord Carlisle nodded in agreement.
Eve could not have been any more proud of Rhoda if she’d married the Prince Regent himself.
“And you will travel with her, Mr. Waverly?” Rhoda had turned to the sturdy man who’d done his best to disappear into the wallpaper. “I don’t want her to go alone.”
“I’ll be fine,” Eve interjected. She hadn’t depended upon a man for years now. She’d learned the hard way that such laziness put a lady in some most disadvantageous circumstances.
“Of course. I’ll make arrangements this afternoon, and we can depart early tomorrow morning. If that is satisfactory.”
Eve wondered at the condition she would find the country property. At one time, it had been her home, but it had never belonged to her, of course. Jean Luc’s nephew would inherit most of the estate. She wondered if the heir had been willed the debts as well.
God, she hoped so.
She needed to go.
Mr. Waverly could assist her with the funeral arrangements. And other legal matters, she supposed.
She pressed her fingertips against her forehead. “Tomorrow is fine.”
As soon asSixtus delivered the news of Jean Luc Mossant’s death, Niles Waverly had anticipated a visit to Bristol, the largest town near Pebble’s Gate. She’d been a most unusual client from the beginning, and he quite preferred to handle the details of her business personally.
Not quite a year ago, he’d been asked to handle a rather delicate bet for Mrs. Mossant at the direction of Thomas Findlay. After she’d won, Findlay had sent him to her townhouse to discuss the management of those winnings. She’d proven even more interesting upon close inspection. His first thoughts were that she did not appear old enough to have three grown daughters. Elegant, slim, mocha-colored eyes, and shining chestnut hair, she could have been Lady Carlisle’s older sister.
Ah, but there the similarities ended.
Mrs. Eve Mossant possessed a backbone unlike any he’d found in a woman before, especially in a gently bred lady.
Developed out of necessity, no doubt. She protected her daughters like the lioness she had become due to enjoying absolutely no help from their father.
Eve had been decidedly pointed in what she required. She’d entrusted him with protecting her winnings from her husband at all cost. If Mossant had known his wife possessed such a fortune, he’d have wasted it away within a few months.
Niles had no misgivings in doing as she asked. He’d heard of Mossant’s libertine lifestyle.
During their first visit, she’d explained to Nigel, most unapologetically, that she needed the funds handled in a manner so that her husband would never have any legal right to them, which had been tricky, but nothing Waverly was not familiar with.
Niles had then taken it upon himself to investigate Mr. Jean Luc Mossant. He’d even sent Sixtus down to Bristol from time to time.
Through those reports, he’d learned why Eve Mossant never allowed her daughters to dwell in the same residence with their father. And he’d respected her all the more for it.
A desire to safeguard the woman and her daughters had emerged in him. And as much as he hated to admit it, he’d been drawn to his client in a manner that had not been platonic. But although he remained a bachelor still at the advanced age of seven and forty, she’d been a married woman.
And a client.
First and foremost, he must remain professional. He’d never do anything to betray the trust she’d placed in him. His job was to protect her legal and financial circumstances.
She could purchase the townhouse she’d been leasing now, with no one else having legal claim to her possessions. He supposed they’d discuss much of this over the next several days. He’d have to go through Mossant’s finances.
“Until tomorrow then, ma’am.” He would leave her with her daughter and son-in-law for now. He had no obligation nor request to further his stay.
Niles duly noted, however, that she had not collapsed at the news.
