“I’ll be here.” He winked.
They were no sooner gone than one of the downstairs maids appeared. “Ma’am, Mr. Black has come to see you.”
Judith looked up from her grandfather’s desk. Frankly, she was surprised it had taken him this long to come calling since he’d done his level best to see her nearly every day since the funeral. The last few days had been unexpectedly void of his attention.
“Please show him in.”
She thought of moving to the chairs situated in front of the cold fireplace, then changed her mind. She didn’t want to give him the idea of intimacy. This was a business meeting and nothing more. She whispered a prayer for strength and insight as to how to break the news to Bert. He wasn’t going to like being sent away permanently.
Bert came into the room, dressed in his gray suit. He looked as fashionable as always. Judith motioned to the chair opposite the large desk. “Please have a seat, Bert. We have much to discuss.”
“I am glad that you finally allowed me to come to you. I must say, I was rather troubled by your unwillingness to see me.”
“I’ve been in mourning for my grandfather, Bert. As youknow. I haven’t desired to receive company and am only getting back to a place of tending to business. That is why I sent you the letter. I’ve met with Grandfather’s other attorneys.” She pulled a document from the right-hand drawer and pushed it toward him. “This is a copy of Grandfather’s will.”
Bert immediately began searching through the few pages. Judith knew he wasn’t going to be happy.
“As you can see for yourself in the last will and testament of James Ashton Sr., you have been left the sum of five thousand dollars and the deed to your apartment.”
“He left his valet one hundred thousand.”
“That’s hardly your concern, Bert. My grandfather was well within his rights to leave whatever monies or properties he wanted to whomever he wanted. Mr. Winchell had served my grandfather since he was a very young man. I think it was greatly deserved.”
“He made certain promises to me. I expected them to be fulfilled.” Bert fixed her with a hard look. “I left the comforts of Boston and a good life there to live in this wretched frontier town. He owed me.”
“I’m sorry that he disappointed you. I believe you know how my grandfather could be about such things.” Judith reached for the will, but Bert snatched it up.
“I will pursue legal challenges, unless of course you and I might reach some agreement.” He studied her for a moment, his expression begging her to show compassion.
“Do what you feel you must, Mr. Black.” Judith put aside any appearance of friendship or intimacy. “You can see at the bottom of the last page the names of the attorneys who prepared this document. I would suggest you start with them.”
“It’s just not right. You must see it. You didn’t even care about the old man. You spent a lifetime ignoring him and leaving him to the care of others, and now he has left you millions.”
“My grandfather hardly required care. At least not untilthese last few months. Furthermore, it was his decision to make me his heiress. I was certainly not looking for that position. You might recall that I clearly told you from the moment you first appeared on my doorstep that I had no interest in his fortune. However, now that I have inherited it, I intend to see it used in a way that will right the wrongs my grandfather perpetuated.”
“But that’s madness. Every man, woman, and child will come knocking on your door once you open that can of worms. They will declare from dawn to dusk that they were wronged by your grandfather. They will demand restitution for things that never happened.”
“That’s where I’m blessed that my grandfather kept such meticulous records, Mr. Black. I have it all recorded in multiple ledgers and contracts. I feel confident of seeing this through.”
“If you don’t want his money, why not give it to me? I earned it. I deserve it. I’ve spent the last ten years of my life with your grandfather. I worked hard for him, even put aside taking a wife and having a family. He was my only family. His fortune is worth millions and I could do great things with it.”
“I am fully acquainted with my grandfather’s fortune and where it is.” She frowned and got to her feet. “The matter is settled, Mr. Black. My lawyers will issue you a check and the deed for your apartment within the week.”
She paused and drew a deep breath. “There is one more thing. I suppose this will further your distress, but I will no longer be using your services. Perhaps you can return to Boston, since you hate it here so much.”
He looked shocked and jumped to his feet. “You can’t dismiss me. I’ve come to love you. I don’t wish to be parted from you.”
“Unfortunately, I do not return your feelings, Mr. Black. I’ve made that clear since you first tried to pursue a courtship with me. As for your services as an attorney, I believe it willbe best for me to seek other counsel. These feelings you have for me would serve only as an obstacle.”
“That’s not true. You do love me. You’ve merely pushed aside your feelings to care for your grandfather. Now that he’s gone, you can love me.”
Judith moved from behind the desk and walked toward the door. “I cannot return your feelings.” She made the mistake of putting her back to him.
Without warning, he grabbed her and whirled her around to face him. He pulled her into his embrace. “You cannot be serious. I know you feel the same. I can see it in your eyes.”
“Let me go.” She fought against him, but he only tightened his hold.
“I’ll prove it to you.” He attempted to kiss her, but Judith turned her head and screamed. She knew Roman would probably hear her, and if not him, then perhaps one of the servants. The house was full of people. Surely someone would hear her distress.
