“His will?” She flinched. “What will?”
His expression softened. “Take heart, Miss Hale. I fear I’ve given you a great deal to think on, but I also come bearing news that should be beneficial to you.”
Mr. Longham reached for the portfolio by his feet. “Your father was a very wealthy man, and he was haunted by guilt, especially considering how luxuriously his son, your half brother, lived.”
She eyed the portfolio. “Yes, I was told he had a son.”
“He never forgot you, and after his wife’s death, he altered his will to include you. When you did not respond to his inquiry, he wasnot sure if you would be found, so he gave a very specific time frame for you to obtain your inheritance. The will clearly states that if you were not located and did not claim your inheritance within three years, it would pass to another party—the Stricklin estate. That time expires in about a year from now, and that is why I’ve been so keen to locate you. But now we have time. We should be able to set everything to right.”
“But it cannot be.” She shook her head in disbelief. “He never knew me.”
“I am not disputing the fact that he was a poor father to you. But he was still your father. He was there the day you were born. I was as well. He received regular updates on you as you grew into adulthood, and I know it was the greatest regret of his life not knowing you.”
She sat frozen, transfixed, stunned at the news she’d just been given.
How different her life could have been if only she’d known.
She wiped her hand impatiently across her eyelash. She would not cry. Not here.
She straightened her posture. “What’s to be done now?”
Mr. Longham stood. “It was Mr. Clark’s intention that you should inherit the plot of land to the east of here—the land where Clark Mill now stands. The locals call the land Linderdale. You’ll not inherit the mill or the business, mind you, just the land. They are two separate entities, and it was set up this way so if the business ever encountered trouble, the land would be protected as an asset. It is all quite complicated, but it comes down to this. You own the land. Peter Clark, your half brother, owns the business. The business will pay you a lease for as long as it is there. Furthermore, the will is written in such a way that you cannot sell the land, nor can your children, should you have any, for a period of up to fifty years. The income from the land should give you funds or provide a nice dowry. But I caution you, there are still hurdles to cross.”
“Hurdles? Such as?”
“Peter knows the name Cassandra Hale. It is clearly stated in the will, but he does not know you are Robert Clark’s daughter. He will certainly contest your claim to the will, which could drag this out for years. But I have all your paperwork in line, including this.” He produced a piece of paper from his satchel. “This is a copy of the signed agreement between your mother and your father stating that your father is to have full custody and that your mother is not to contact you.”
She skimmed over the words until her eyes landed on her mother’s signature. Tears blurred her vision. Her mother had written this.
Her mother.
“This document, along with my official statement as Robert Clark’s man of business, should be enough in court to prove your identity. I also have a few other documents, letters, and payment receipts to the school that further support this claim.”
“This is all amazing.” Cassandra managed a little laugh through her tears, and then, as the reality of what she was hearing started to sink in, her excitement began to grow.
“It is my pleasure to see you realize what is rightfully yours. Of course, I doubt anyone would question it based on your looks alone.”
She jerked. “What do you mean?”
“That slight cleft of your chin. You appear more a Clark than Peter.”
She felt stunned.
He chuckled. “If you don’t believe me, look at the portrait in the great hall and tell me if you don’t see a resemblance. Now,” he said, slapping his hand against his knee, “our next step is that I must speak with Peter Clark. No doubt news of your arrival has spread, and in my experience, gossip travels faster than the truth.”
“Yes, I believe the vicar has contacted him on my behalf. I was trying to reach him because of the letter.”
Mr. Longham nodded. “He deserves an explanation as well. I am bound by both duty and honor to see that your father’s wishes are carried out to the very jot.”
She stared as she recalled Mr. North’s observations. “Would my birth be part of the church records?”
“I’m sure it would be, but I doubt Mr. Clark’s name would have been associated with it. Why do you ask?”
“Mr. North, the local vicar, said it could not be found.”
“Ah, someone could have listed a false name. You were baptized, I do know that. In this parish as well. I will call on your half brother as soon as I am able to set a meeting for the two of you. You are residing at Mrs. Martin’s boardinghouse, if I’m not mistaken.”
“Yes, sir.”
