“The ‘late’ Mrs. Ansel Winthrop.” I’d been turning the story over in my head, piecing it together. “Yes, I am his first wife. And…well, and his second, too.”
His brow furrows deeply as he lowers into his chair. “Go on.”
I sigh, and my voice is soft. “He found me, apparently. Because I had another inheritance coming to me, and control over a sizable trust.” Tears threaten. “He charmed me all over again—he probably knew exactly how—and now he’s…he’s—”
“And this other man? What of the other marriage?”
“Rupert might have saved me, but as it turns out, our wedding never officially happened. Besides, I married AJ Winthrop before—and after—I met Rupert.” I fidget. “As it stands, I’m married to no one but AJ. I’ll simply stay clear of him, and—”
“Merryn, there’s more to the story.”
“Something good, I hope.” I sigh, collapsing into a chair, head in my hands. “I’m not certain I can handle any more bad turns.”
“The hearing is set for two days from now. They will determine your suitability to inherit. Meanwhile, Miss St. Laurent has offered to negotiate—”
“Yes. Yes, please do it. Whatever she wants, as long as I have Cecil.”
“I’m afraid the negotiations are out of your hands, Merryn. That’s themore.”
A scream catches in my throat.
“Ansel, as your legal husband, took things in hand himself. He’s met with Sabine. They’ve likely already finalized an agreement.”
I clutch the desk.“What agreement?”
“Counter negotiation.”
I swallow, and then I take the paper he holds out and scan it. Gould summarizes what my eyes are trying to untangle. “Sabine St. Laurent keeps the entire inheritance Lady St. Laurent left for you, free and clear. In return, she will drop the investigation into your nervous condition. The appointment of a trustee is still under negotiation, but you’d be free of the asylums.”
I laugh, giddy. “AJ has come to my rescue, then. Is that it?” Thatiswhat’s happening, isn’t it? But…for my good, or for his purposes? “What of Cecil, Mr. Gould?” I can hardly breathe as I await the answer. “What becomes of him under this new agreement?”
“I don’t know yet. After the initial discussion, Mr. Winthrop took control of his own case. I am no longer a party to this negotiation. I’ve provided my recommendation, but I have no way of knowing whether he took it or not.”
“What did you suggest?”
“That Sabine retains guardianship of the boy, and you retain management of his trust. I don’t trust that woman within ten miles of a large fortune, and her mother didn’t either.”
“No. No, no, no!” Heat drains from my face. “Give her the fortune and givemeCecil. Please.” He is the treasure she’s not suited to manage. Money be hanged. I’ll find a way when it comes down to it. I picture the wistful face at the window, the brightening of his freckled face when he spots me. “I must speak with AJ. Where might I find him?” If the man wishes to prove himself to me, there is exactly one way he can do that.
But Gould’s brow creases with some knowledge I do not yet have. “What is it now, Mr. Gould?”
“If you’re around him…You’re easily manipulated just now.”
“He wouldn’t dare hurt me now, though. Not before I’m named trustee of that estate. I’m his only link to that fortune, and I won’t inherit if I’m dead.”
“And once the dust settles? He may very well place you in an asylum himself. Forcing Sabine to drop the insanity charges doesn’t mean he won’t use them himself later. Or…”
Murder me again, once he has access to the estate. But we’re two days away from that possibility, and surely I can come up with something in that time. I rise, hands on the desk. “I’m grateful for your concern.”
“Just a moment.” He walks around and perches on the front of his desk, facing me. “Before you confront the man, you need to hear the details of his wife’s…that is,yourdeath.”
I cling to the back of the chair. “Tell me.”
He flips open a file and reads. “Witness statement. Mrs. Buckthorn, Cornwall. Mr. and Mrs. Winthrop, on holiday in Cornwall, had taken rooms in the inn beside her shop and were heard to be arguing loudly. The matter involved Mr. Winthrop attempting to exert control over his wife, and his wife refusing. A crash was heard.”
I cringe. “Sounds like many married couples.”
He holds up a finger. “Second witness statement. Mrs. Winthrop was spotted in the couple’s hired carriage alongthe coastal road by one Mr. Danvers of Whitby Lane. The conveyance came down the road at a dangerous pace, then suddenly sped up with such reckless abandon that the witness feared for his safety. He ran out to stop it, but the vehicle flew around a cliff, tipped off the edge and rolled down the embankment into the water. When he made his way to the cliff—it was an especially windy day, and it took him some time—he saw Mrs. Winthrop struggling in the water, and though the witness attempted a rescue, she was swept out to sea. Mr. Winthrop was spotted above, on the coastline, looking down upon the accident. Though he claimed later to have not been with his wife at the time.”
