“It is not necessary that he is here and I will advise him when he does appear.”
Thank goodness because Charlotte did not wish to wait.
“I need to advise you of your father’s Will and addendums.”
She nodded and poured him a cup of tea.
“Until an heir is born, no funds, property or investments will be released to you or your husband.”
This didn’t surprise Charlotte since her father had coveted a title for his grandson. This was his way of making certain that Victor did his duty.
“What will happen when the heir is born?” she asked. Except, she no longer carried a potential heir. But if Victor did need funds, he would need to get her with child again.
“Your husband will inherit a third of the funds, property and investments in your father’s estate upon the birth of an heir. You will receive another one third in case your husband cannot manage funds any better than his father, just as he had gifted you the twenty thousand pounds when you wed.” Mr. Ward paused to take a sip of his tea. “The remaining third is for the heir and he will receive a percentage to be managed by his father or guardian each year that he is alive and until he reaches the age of majority and then the remainder will be released.” Mr. Ward took a deep breath. “In the event that something should happen to Lord Blackmar, his third will be distributed and divided among his children to be managed by their guardian. None of the funds set aside for the heir or any child will be released for their care until they have successfully reached one year of age.”
Charlotte nodded. Her father intended to keep complete control even in death.
“Your third, however, will not be released to you until you have reached the age of three and twenty, five and twenty and thirty. If, however, you become a widow before an heir is born, no further funds will come to you until your marriage to a titled gentleman or heir to a title, then the same stipulations will once again be in place when and if an heir is born.”
Her father was willing to risk all the money he had managed to accrue a title.
“What will happen if there are never any children?”
The solicitor blinked at her. “Those provisions have not been made as your father was confident that you would see the importance of birthing an heir.”
“What if I have only daughters?”
“In the event that you or your husband is widowed, a smaller percentage of funds will be released for each daughter to see to her care and education. A larger sum will be released to finance Seasons and the rest to her husband when she weds a Duke, Earl, Marquess or Viscount, or an heir to one of the titles listed. The rest will be held for an heir, and so forth until there is a grandson, or even great grandson, to finally gain a title.”
“What if my daughters prefer to be happy and marry a mere mister?” she asked in a dry tone.
“They will receive nothing from your father’s estate, and only what your husband may decide they are worth.”
This was her father’s way of keeping Victor in check and not taking her inheritance and divorcing her. Even in death, he wanted to make certain that a grandson would have a title, or a granddaughter would marry one. He intended to get his way even if it had to be a great-grandson.
Mr. Ward handed the legal document to Charlotte. “The details are within if you wish to read them.”
Charlotte glanced down at the Last Will and Testament, not certain she wished to read it, but knew that she should so that she understood the current situation.
“Would it be possible to place this estate on the market?”
“You will need to speak to Lord Blackmar before doing so but know that any funds received will not go directly to either of you, but disbursed as outlined.”
“Yes, of course.” She did not anticipate Victor arguing with her over the matter. They had no need for this property, and it only reminded her of how unhappy she had been here.
“I assume that will be all.” He stood. “Send word when Lord Blackmar arrives and I will return to explain in further detail what is expected of him, as well as review the finances and provide a full accounting of funds, investments and property.”
Charlotte could demand that the information be given to her but knew that Mr. Ward would not comply. He’d been cool, with a hint of condescension in his tone when speaking with her. Besides, she knew where her father kept his books, investments and properties. She’d known since she was ten when he began to teach her the importance of money and the power it held when one had enough. She had already started reviewing them yesterday.
“I understand,” Charlotte smiled, then escorted him to the entry.
As soon as he was gone, Charlotte returned to the library, closed the door, and read her father’s Last Will and Testament. She found no surprises as it was as Mr. Ward had explained.
She then opened the bottom drawer of her father’s desk. Yesterday she had reviewed his current accounting, but it was only a glimpse of what he owned. The special ledger in the bottom drawer contained everything, and the amounts were updated each day. At least they had been until his death.
Three hours later, Charlotte settled back in her father’s chair. She had reviewed an entire inventory of properties and made notes, though she had not fully calculated his investments and various bank accounts. However, what she had learned so far was that her father was far richer than she had realized. Too rich. Nobody should have such wealth and if she had any control, she would have given it to charity.
Exhausted, she rose from the desk. She needed to rest and change her dress since she had spilled tea on it earlier. Once she had napped, she would return and finalize her calculations.
