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I was content to let Claire decide on her own what she wanted to do. Tomlinson was correct, after all. I had facilitated this meeting, but I wasn’t personally involved in her finances.

“Lord Greyson is here as a friend only. I sought out his advice since he is well-versed in financial matters, and I am not.”

“So you are giving your consent to his presence here, and you are not being coerced in any way?”

She shook her head. “Of course not. But I know nothing about Father’s will. He’s been gone now for a decade, and my stepmother has been handling everything. I was just curious…”

Tomlinson’s smile was kindly. “About what, exactly?”

“I was wondering if my father left me any kind of settlement. I am five and twenty now, and since I won’t be marrying, I thought it was time to become acquainted with such matters.”

Tomlinson seemed confused.

“Can we be frank?” I asked, interjecting.

He nodded. “I’d prefer it.”

I looked at Claire. “Do you mind?”

The relief on her face was obvious. “Of course not. That’s why you’re here.”

“Miss Sullivan has decided it is time she considered living arrangements separate from her stepmother. She will be returning to the country soon with her sister, but Miss Sullivan would like to remain in London. She would like to continue doing her charity work, but her stepmother has not made any provisions for her to do so. She would like to know if she has the financial means of procuring her own living arrangements.”

A slight frown formed between Tomlinson’s brows. “Mrs. Sullivan has told you nothing about the settlement?”

Claire shook her head. “I don’t even know if there is one.”

“Oh, there is definitely a settlement,” he said, naming a sum that had her eyes widening. “The money has been set aside in a trust for you, but it has been invested and will provide a generous living per year. Presently, that money has been going to Mrs. Sullivan to pay for living expenses under her roof. I assumed she was giving you the remainder as an allowance.”

“I see,” Claire said, looking at me. “Is that sufficient to help me find somewhere in London to live?”

I nodded. “More than sufficient. You’ll be able to rent a house.”

“I must protest,” Tomlinson said, his face beginning to turn red. “While that is true, a young woman cannot simply live on her own.”

“Mr. Tomlinson,” Claire said, steel in her tone, “I am five and twenty. I have just discovered that for the last four years, my stepmother has been pocketing the money my father set aside for me. Now, while I understand an argument can be made that she was due that money while I lived under her roof, I think we both know that if my father left me that sum of money, there is more than enough funds set aside for her. She would not be dependent on my allowance.”

Tomlinson leaned back, his gaze moving between the two of us. “Are you certain that you’re not being coerced to be here?”

I named a sum of money that had Tomlinson’s eyes bugging out of his head. “That is my net worth. You can ask anyone if you doubt me, but I can assure you I have no need of Miss Sullivan’s inheritance.” I leaned forward. “I have more than sufficient means of setting her up in a house if I meant to keep her as a mistress.”

Tomlinson was openly scowling now, and I could tell that Claire was holding back her laughter.

“Lord Greyson is a friend,” she said. “He is here to help me settle this situation because I didn’t have the knowledge required to discover who my father’s attorney was. It is not information my stepmother has ever shared with me. Since she is planning to leave London by the end of the week and I wish to remain here, the situation has become quite urgent.”

“You can’t stay at your family’s townhouse while she returns to the country?”

Claire shook her head. “I haven’t asked her, of course, but I can assure you that she would not extend me that generosity.”

Mr. Tomlinson blew out a breath. “Very well. We’ll get started on the paperwork to have the money sent to an account set up in your name. As your trustee, I will open the accounts for you. Once that is done, we can proceed from there.”

“She’ll need an advance,” I said. “Given that you have probably already paid her living allotment out to her stepmother, she will need a sum of money so that she can find somewhere appropriate to live.”

Tomlinson nodded. “Very well, my lord. She’ll have that advance.” He turned to Claire. “I’m sure we can find a reputable boarding house where you’ll be able to stay until you can decide what you want to do next.” He leaned forward. “But you have my direction now. If for some reason”—he glanced at me then back at Claire—“you find that you are being taken advantage of, please reach out to me directly. I promised your father that I would watch out for his wife and his daughters, and I am a man who keeps his promises.”

Claire’s smile held a hint of sadness as she inclined her head. “Thank you, Mr. Tomlinson. I appreciate you handling the matter quickly.”

I sat back and watched as the solicitor made notes about how he was going to proceed. I was impressed that he actually directed most of his inquiries to Claire and not to me. It was a rare man who took into consideration a woman’s opinions on financial matters. The fact that Tomlinson was doing so now meant that he would take care of her.