“It’s possible. You can also have it released to her in installments rather than as a lump sum. You may wish to do the same with your mother.”
“Yes. I can dower Celine from those funds as well?”
A flush bloomed on his sharp cheeks. “Yes, if you wish.”
I couldn’t help myself when I asked, “And what do you wish?”
“I beg your pardon?”
“I heard an interesting rumor last night. You are staying at Cadieux House?”
“I-I am…”
“Mr. Grayson 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.”
He could not possibly have answered that question in a way that would satisfy me more. In a few sentences, Mr. Hart had made it clear that he understood Cee in a way few others ever did.
“Good man. Is she able to manage some of the funds?”
“Yes…”
“You do not sound 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 so that it would terminate at that time. But that would leave you with the same problem you currently face. No one to manage your mother and sister.”
“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 blurted without thought.
“I cannot disagree with you.”
“And there is no way around it?”
“A vote in parliament…” He lifted his shoulders in a shrug paired with a sympathetic press of his lips.
Damn. “Oh, well, there is no problem then.”
“You could still manage everything by post. There just may be some difficulties. What those might be, I have no way of knowing.”
I considered that for a moment. Would Cee even wish to wed again? A few weeks ago, my answer would have been a vehement no. But now, with Will’s flush…
“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.”
The other office door creaked open and its three former occupants peered around the corner.
Wayland was the first to break the silence. “Rosehill, I trust you are well.” It was stilted in the way he always was with me. I was never able to discern if it was due to the business with Juliet ending our engagement. Or if heknew. Regardless, he was never cruel, simply uncomfortable.
“I am,” I replied.
“Good, that’s… good.” Seeking an end to the uncomfortable conversation, he glanced around. When his gaze found Mr. Grayson, he sighed. “Tom… off the furniture. How many times must we have this conversation?”
Mr. Grayson made no move to rise, instead asking, “Everything sorted?”
