“It is time that you take something for yourself,” Elizabeth suggested.
“Which is the very reason why I am not joining my family for Christmas. I need to do something for me. I simply do not know what that might be.”
“You are welcome to spend the Christmas holiday at Matron Manor with me and the others,” Blythe offered. “Maybe then you might find the answers that you seek.”
Matron Manor was the gathering place for those in their league. Some came for tea, as Lavinia had done. Others took rooms for a short time and it was not unusual for there to be widows in residence. It would not be surprising if there were more than a few during the Christmas holiday since some had no family. There was nothing worse than being alone at Christmas unless you did so by choice.
“I had considered the possibility but dismissed the option because I need to be further away from London.”
“Why?” Elizabeth asked.
“If I am too close to our home, I am afraid that I will feel the need to return and review the books or prepare a list for the servants of tasks I would like them to see to after the first of the year, to prepare for the Season, or any other matter that requires attention. It is the same reason why I will not return to our estate.”
“Simply refuse to think of the house,” Blythe offered before she took a sip of her tea.
“I fear that it would be impossible, therefore I must visit someplace new or at least different and further away. I simply do not know where that might be.
“What of Sea View?” Elizabeth suggested.
Lavinia blinked at her. Why hadn’t she thought of that.
Yes, Sea View! It was a cottage that had once been owned by her mother’s family that sat along the beach in Seaford. Was it possible that she could go there to find the peace and answers that she sought?
Mr. Demetrius Valentine took a deep breath before he lifted the knocker of the home of Viscount Totten. This would not be his first will reading, nor would it likely be the last. However, this would be the first where he was not the solicitor reading the instructions of the deceased.
The viscount had been the first lord to engage Demetrius’ services after he became a solicitor and he had served the viscount these past ten years. Therefore, it should be Demetrius who called the family and any other beneficiaries together to inform them of the arrangements Viscount Totten had made. But before he could do so, Demetrius had received word that Totten had gone to a different solicitor to draft a new will. One that required his presence.
Totten may have been rather eccentric but he was of sound mind, so Demetrius could not help but wonder why, after ten years, he had gone to someone else.
After the butler opened the door, he stood back so that he could enter. Demetrius had been a frequent visitor and known to all within.
“They have gathered in the library,” the butler advised.
Demetrius gave a nod because he was not certain if he could speak. Emotions which were unfamiliar swept over him as soon as he stepped into the entry. Admittedly, some of that was betrayal from wondering why Totten had hired someone else, but also sadness that he was gone because Demetrius had truly been fond of the old man.
When he stepped into the library and glanced about, Demetrius realized that he did not know anyone within the room, except for the son—the new Viscount Totten. As for the rest, they were likely the names he had become familiar with while drafting the various wills for the Viscount—none of which mattered any longer. In fact, the names he knew may not belong to anyone in this room because if Totten hired a new solicitor, he may have changed everything from his earlier wills.
However, there was one other man that Demetrius did recognize, Mr. Cornelius Bottomley, also a solicitor.
“Now that you have arrived Mr. Valentine, we can begin,” Mr. Bottomley announced.
“I hope I have not delayed you overly much, though I am not certain why my presence is even required.” Demetrius offered a slight apology which may have sounded more like a complaint.
“The former Viscount Totten knew that you would not agree with his bequeaths. Therefore, three months ago he visited me for the sole purpose of drafting his last will and testament, and that is all.”
As much as Demetrius hated the emotion, he was rather hurt. Had he done something to displease the old man?
“If you would but take a seat, it will all be explained,” Mr. Bottomley announced.
Bottomley moved to stand behind the very desk where the viscount had once sat and lifted the documents.
Demetrius settled into a chair in the back of the room. It did not matter if he had approved of the bequeaths or not. The will was final and nothing could be changed.
“As I stated, this is the last will and testament of Viscount Totten, which he had me draft three months ago.” Bottomley then took a seat and began reading.
Demetrius listened as each bequeath was read, knowing that it was no different than the last will he had prepared and again wondered why he was here.
“Lastly, to Mr. Demetrius Valentine.”
