Still, I could not allow him to make such a decision without considering the implications. Surely there were other ways. “And your family?”
“That’s why I have you. I need to set up provisions for Mother and Davina. Celine too. How much control are you able to give Celine? She’s the only one with a lick of sense.”
I would beg to differ on that point after last night, but I could hardly tell him that.
“I’ll need everything that isn’t entailed to be split between Mother and Dav if anything were to happen to me. However, I do not think they would do well with immediate, unfettered access.”
“Well, the Yorkshire property belongs to the dukedom. The Scotland property is yours outright, though it doesn’t bring in a great deal. The houses here in town I’ll need to look into. The Rycliffe house, at least, may not be entailed. But, Xander, are you certain this is what you wish to do?”
“I have a great many wishes. Unfortunately, wishes cannot change reality.”
“Right. Well, you’re young. You should have many years before the entail becomes a concern for your family.”
“Gabriel was a year younger than I am now. He had many years to live and a wife for that matter. I was never intended to inherit. If I do not wed and have children, the dukedom will go to some second cousin. Is the income from the unentailed estates sufficient to support Mother and Davina? I do not want to rely on a second cousin’s goodwill.”
“For any other mother and sister, I would say yes, more than. For yours…”
His mouth quirked to one side in that way of his. “That is what I feared. Is there any way to take income from the entailed estates and set up accounts for them now that cannot be accessed unless something were to happen to me?”
“Well, the dowry should be untouchable.”
“Who, exactly, do you believe willing to marry Davina?”
I rather thought Kit would, if he ever gathered the courage. Though whether the girl would have him was a different matter entirely.
“I’ll need to review and see exactly which properties are entailed to see what will need to be done.”
“Very good. Can you look into dowering Celine as well? Obviously, we could not guarantee it if the title changes hands. But while I’m able, I would like to offer her that option. She has her own funds, but I do not want her limited in her choices.Also, can you determine what authority she could be granted to manage things?”
Suddenly it became very apparent that, in addition to managing Lady Davina’s adventures, Kit ought to handle conversations about Celine. Because this was entirely unethical.
The urge to argue that any dandy who would require a bribe to wedCelinedid not deserve her was nearly overwhelming. Suddenly, the image of my mother’s ring on her delicate hand flooded in and took hold. Entirely inappropriate.
Forcing myself to attempt a veil of professionalism, I answered. “The dowry should not be an issue. Authority may be. Also, I hate to bring this up, but… Lady Davina? I cannot imagine she will stop her… adventures when you are away.”
“Mr. Summers will be given carte blanche to use whatever funds necessary to get her out of whatever scrape she has gotten herself into. That is one of the things I hope Celine may be able to manage in my absence. And if my sister is still finding mischief after my untimely demise, she will have to find her own way out of it.”
“Well, you’ve given me a great deal to consider. To be quite honest, I thought the trip was a ploy to get into the office. I haven’t been as thorough as I ought.”
“Ah yes, I owe you an apology for that.”
“Unnecessary. It was certainly amusing.”
“Well, apology issued, nonetheless. My departure does not need to be immediate, but I should like to be settled in Scotland before the weather starts to turn.”
“I will have answers to your questions by next week, and contracts drawn up just as soon as we discuss my findings. Would that suffice?”
“Perfect. Thank you, Will. I could not trust just anyone with this. I appreciate your discretion. Now, I should head down to the docks and retrieve my recalcitrant sister.”
“Good luck!” He merely offered an exhausted chuckle in response on his way out. And I was left with a great deal of research to distract me from the even greater list of things I was decidedly not thinking about.
And another damn favor to ask of Kit. Perhaps Mrs. Ainsley had not sold out of the little cake things yet.
Fifteen
MONET MANOR, LONDON - JUNE 13, 1816
CELINE
