“Yes. Your father treated it as though it was a part of the courtesy title, but it was only purchased by your grandfather for your father.”
“I do not have to live there? Where he died.” There was a desperation in his tone.
My heart broke a little for him.
“No. If you would rather, you could use the funds to purchase a different house in town. I did not realize you wished to give it up. I deeply regret that I did not look into that earlier.”
“No. Thank you. Thank you so much.”
“Yes, well. Lady Davina’s dowry, such as it stands, is untouchable, even if she remains unwed. I could set up anything additional you wish to add to it for her to have access to at an age you deem appropriate. Normally I would suggest twenty-five, but…”
“Thirty? Do you suppose she will mature by thirty?”
“It’s possible. You can also have it released to her in installments, rather than a lump sum. You may wish to do the same thing with your mother.”
“Yes. I can dower Celine from those funds as well?”
“Yes, if you wish.”
“And what do you wish?” He grinned and steepled his hands under his chin.
“I beg your pardon?”
“I heard an interesting rumor last night. You are staying at Cadieux House?”
“I am…”
“Mr. Grayson out there claims not to possess the bravery necessary to court a Hasket lady. Do you?”
“Whether I possess the bravery is neither here nor there. I believe she has determined that I am to court her. I’ve simply chosen to accept my fate.”
“Good man.” He offered a genuine smile. “Is she able to manage some of the funds?”
“Yes...”
“You do not sound overly certain.”
“As long as she remains unwed, she can manage the funds. If she were to take another husband, they would become his. We could write the contract such that it would terminate at that time. But that would leave you with the same problem you are currently facing, no one to manage them.”
“Why is that the case?”
“When a woman is born, she exists under her father’s identity. When she weds, she and her husband become one in the eyes of the law, and that person is him. It is only if he precedes her in death that she becomes her own person, legally speaking. If she weds again, she accepts her new husband’s identity.”
“Well, that is patently absurd.”
“I cannot disagree with you.”
“And there is no way around it?”
“A vote in parliament…”
“Oh, well, there is no problem then.” He rolled his eyes demonstratively.
“You can still manage everything by post. There just may be some difficulties. What those might be, I have no way of knowing.”
“Right. Let me discuss selling the house with Celine. She should have a say as well. Do we need to have a purchase in place to draft the documents?”
“No, I can get them started and we can determine what funds should be placed where before signing.”
