Chapter40
News Arrives
The missive Donald had been waiting for arrived only moments before the family returned from their outing to the Roman Forum.As the rest of the family headed up the stairs, the butler quietly handed it to him, saying only that a courier from Conte Russo’sprocuratorehad delivered it.“He was instructed to wait for a reply,” he whispered.
Donald broke the wax seal and unfolded the parchment, frowning when he was forced to decipher a masculine scrawl that seemed to have been written in an ancient form of Latin.
He let out a sigh when he reached the end.“Where is the courier?”he asked.
“In the kitchens,” the butler replied.At Donald’s look of surprise, he added, “He wishes to court the scullery maid.”
Donald arched a brow.“Wait ten minutes and bring him to my study.”
“Sì,signore.”
“And ask my father to join me there.”
“Sì,signore.”The servant hurried up the stairs as Donald headed for his study.He wasn’t even seated behind his desk when his father appeared at the door.
“You’ve had word of the girl?Already?”
Donald lifted a shoulder.“I may have employed a bribe to expedite the issue,” he admitted.“Otherwise it may have been weeks before we learned anything.”
“And?”Will prompted.
“Russo and I share the sameprocuratorehere in Roma,” Donald explained.“Essentially a solicitor.Yesterday I sent a footman with an inquiry as to Russo’s estate, specifically the terms of his will as it relates toDonnaNancy and our intention to take her on as a ward should there be no close relatives.”He held out the parchment.“If I’ve interpreted the language correctly, and I’m not sure I have, I thinkDonnaNancy is set to become your ward,” he replied.
Will’s eyes widened before he turned his attention to the legal document.“So soon?”
“No close heirs, so one to contest the issue.Russo’s last will and testament merely stipulates the amount of the girl’s dowry to be set aside for when she marries.”
“It appears the conte was in debt?”Will asked, his brows furrowing as he struggled to read the document.
“Not a surprise.Most aristocrats are, at least for part of the year,” Donald acknowledged.“Russo was better off than most.There are unentailed vineyards on Sicily and his villa here in Rome that should cover the debt when they’re sold.Beyond that, everything else belongs to thecontea, which would go to the equivalent of the Crown if his cousin cannot be located.”
Will nodded and turned his attention back to the document.“There is a reference to Latium?”he questioned.
“The region which includes Roma,” Donald replied.“The laws vary somewhat from those of the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies, of course.Latium is a papal state, but his only property here is the villa.”
“Montblanc’s estate is covered under Sicily, isn’t it?”Will guessed.
Donald nodded.“For now.”
Will grunted when he finished perusing the parchment.“Am I mad to take on the orphaned daughter of someone I’ve never even met?”he asked rhetorically.
Donald chuckled softly.“You would be mad not to, given Mother’s position on the matter, and you’d be doing me a huge favor.”
A knock at the door had Will turning around.The courier stood on the threshold, directing a curious gaze first at him and then seemed relieved upon seeing Donald.
“Tell theprocuratoreWilliam Slater, Earl of Bellingham, has agreed to become the legal ward forDonnaNancy.”
Will pulled a calling card from his waistcoat pocket and handed it to the courier.“My address in England is here,” he murmured.
“Also inform theprocuratorethat her dowry is to be delivered here when the estate is settled,” Donald went on.
“Delivered to you?”the courier asked, his surprise evident.
“To me.DonnaNancy is to become the Marchesa Montblanc no later than her nineteenth birthday.”
