‘“If you have matters to discuss, Uncle, then they can wait. I do not think it is proper to discuss at the funeral,” she said. It was a small glimpse of what her life was to be like moving forward. Being the oldest, she had to be the one who takes on difficult conversations and represents the interests of her sisters.
Edward’s smile widened fractionally, and he passed an assessing gaze over her frame.
“You are rather mindful of propriety,” he muttered. “Your father would be pleased.”
“As if you would know,” Augusta snapped. “You spent half his life ridiculing him behind his back.”
There was a small silence that followed. Surely, Charity would never have been able to answer back in this manner. Augusta’sface flushed the moment the words were out, as if she, too, realized she had gone too far.
“Grief makes young ladies bold,” Edward replied, impassively. “And boldness, in young ladies, is often mistaken for strength.”
“You should not assume us weak,” Augusta continued. “I know you wish to, as it stands to your benefit. But it would indeed be an error on your part.”
“What is it you wish to say?” Charity asked, stepping forward to place herself between the two. She felt a responsibility to protect her sister, and did not trust her uncle to have their best interests at heart.
Edward exhaled, as though he had been forced to deal with children.
“Very well,” he said. “As you know, the law is not kind to young women who inherit. Fortunes must be protected, and debts must be managed. And three unmarried girls cannot possibly be expected to handle such burdens alone.”
“We have solicitors,” Charity replied. It was not something that she had a lot of knowledge of, but she was aware of the basic facts.
“Solicitors who will take their fees and offer advice,” Edward replied, and it looked as though he was stopping himself from rolling his eyes. “But advice is not guardianship.”
“You must speak clearly,” Charity said, her own patience wearing thin. Her uncle had come with an agenda, that much was blatant.
“Money attracts opportunists, Charity,” he paused to let the weight of his words settle. “It attracts men who will flatter you and ruin you, and once you are ruined, you will discover how quickly polite society turns its back.”
“What does ruined mean?” Matilda’s small voice piped up, frightened.
“It means,” Edward said softly, “that your future becomes uncertain, little one, and uncertainty is the worst thing for a girl.”
“Do not frighten her.” Charity’s stomach clenched, but the wave of protectiveness that washed over her could not be ignored.
She wouldneverlet her sisters come into harm's way.
“I am not frightening her. I am educating her,” he said. “You should not misunderstand me.” Once again, he was posing himself to be an ally when Charity’s instinct vehemently rejected that stance.
“How noble of you,” Augusta said sardonically. Edward ignored Augusta and looked at Charity.
“Your father’s title is gone,” he said. “His estate passes as the law dictates. But the fortune, those remain in the family through you girls, and therefore it falls to the closest male guardian to ensure it is not squandered or stolen.”
“And you mean to be that guardian?”
Edward’s smile warmed, as though Charity had finally said something sensible.
“Yes,” he replied simply. “I will take care of you. All three of you. You may rest assured that you will not be left to flounder.”
“We do not want your care,” Augusta said.
“Want has little to do with it, my dear,” Edward’s eyes narrowed, dismissively. “We are speaking about practicalities at this moment, and besides, you should not interrupt when two adults are speaking. I shall teach you that, in due time. It seems that there are a lot of behavioral issues that persist.”
Charity felt Matilda press into her side again, and she knew that she could not let him get away with saying anything that came into his mind.
“We are grateful for your concern,” Charity said, “But today is not for these discussions.”
“You would be making a grave mistake if you delay. Because if I do not take control now, others will. There will be men whocome sniffing around you, who will see your beauty and your wealth and decide you are prey.”
“How dare you speak of her like that?” Augusta’s voice sharpened instantly.
