no direct heirs of my body, it is my wish and my intention that he will inherit the whole of the property that comprises the Brampton estate. This is to include the estates of——and each area is itemised, my lord, as you will see—the castle and land of Brampton Percy, the manors of Wigmore, Buckton, Aylton and Eyton, the lease of crown land at Kingsland and Burrington. That, my lord, is the extent of the Brampton acres. Also itemised is livestock, timber and grain from the said estates and the flock of 1,000 sheep, which run on the common pastures at Clun. Finally there is a substantial town house in Corve Street in Ludlow. Apart from this bequest, there is the inheritance of the Laxton estates in Yorkshire and Laxton House in London, both from the inheritance that Honoria Ingram brought to the marriage.’
Wellings laid down the document in completion, then peered under his eyebrows at Lord Mansell with a speculative gleam in his eyes, his lips pursed.
‘You should know, my lord, that even though this will was made less than a month ago, on the occasion of his recent marriage, Lord Edward in fact added a codicil only two weeks later, a few days before his death. He visited me privately in Ludlow for that purpose.’
‘I see.’ Mansell’s brows rose in some surprise. ‘Or perhaps I don’t. Did you know of this, my lady?’ He moved from the fireplace to pull up one of the straight-backed chairs and sat beside her.
‘No.’ She shook her head, running her tongue along her bottom lip. ‘Does it pose a problem to the inheritance, Mr Wellings?’
‘A problem? Why, no, my lady. It is merely in the way of being somewhat … unusual, shall I say. But nothing of a serious nature, you understand.’
‘Then enlighten us, Mr Wellings. Just what did Lord Edward see a need to add to so recent a will that is not in itself serious?’
‘Lord Edward was aware of his impending death, my lord. He had been aware, I believe, for some months. It was a tumour for which there was no remedy. Recently it became clear to him that his days on this earth were numbered. The pain, I understand … I know that he did not wish to worry you, my lady, so I doubt he made any mention of his complaint …?’
‘No, Mr Wellings.’ There was no doubting the surprise in Honoria’s response. ‘He did not. All I knew was that he was drinking more than was his normal practice. But I did not know the reason. Why did he not tell me? And what difference would it make to his will?’
‘It was his choice not to inform you, my lady. And, if you will forgive me touching on so delicate a matter, my lady, he also realised that in the time left to him he was unlikely to achieve a direct heir of his own body to his estates.’ Wellings inclined his head sympathetically towards Honoria. A flush of colour touched her pale cheeks, but she made no response.
The lawyer glanced briefly at Mansell before continuing.
‘In the light of his very brief marriage to Mistress Ingram, a lady of tender years, and your own single state, my lord, Lord Edward recommends in the codicil that the lady should be taken into your keeping and protection. That is, to put it simply, that you, my lord, should take the lady in marriage. It will provide Lady Mansell with protection and continuity of her status here at Brampton Percy, as well as keeping the considerable property and value of her jointure within the Brampton estate.’
Wellings leaned across the table and handed the relevant document to Lord Francis for his perusal. He took it, rose to his feet and strode to the window where he cast his eyes rapidly down the formal writing. It was all very clear and concise and precisely as Wellings had intimated. He looked back at Honoria.
Their eyes touched and held, hers wide with surprise and shock, his contemplative with a touch of wry amusement at Edward’s devious methods to keep the estate intact. And negate the need to raise the vast sum of £4,000 every year for the comfort of his grieving widow!
‘No!’
‘No, what, my lady?’ He could almost feel the waves of fear issuing from her tense body and knew a sudden desire to allay them. He allowed his lips to curl into a smile of reassurance, gentling the harsh lines of his face, and the gleam in his eyes was soft. It appeared to have no calming effect whatsoever on the lady.
‘You do not wish to marry me, my lord.’
‘How do you know, my lady? I have not yet asked you.’
Honoria could think of no immediate reply. Panic rose into her throat, threatening to choke her, her heart beating so loudly that she felt it must be audible to everyone in the room. She could not possibly marry Francis Brampton, of course she could not. She must not allow this situation to continue. She could not take any more humiliation. With an urgent need to escape she pushed herself to her feet—but then simply stood, transfixed by the power in Mansell’s eyes that held hers, trapped hers. She might have laughed if she could find the breath. She now knew exactly how a rabbit would react when confronted by a hungry fox.
‘There is no need to fear me, my lady.’
‘I do not,’ she whispered, hands clenched by her sides. But she did. And she feared even more her own reaction to him.
The lawyer looked from one to the other, struck by the intensity of emotion that had so suddenly linked them. ‘There is no compulsion here, my lord, my lady,’ he suggested calmly after a short pause in which neither of them had seemed able to break the silence. ‘There is no financial penalty if you choose to go your own separate ways. It is merely Lord Edward’s personal recommendation with the best interests of the lady and of the estate at heart.’
‘I feel free to doubt that Lord Edward ever had anyone’s best interests at heart but his own.’ Mansell’s words and tone were critical and condemning, but his eyes remained fixed on Honoria, and they were kind.
‘I have to say, my lord,’ Wellings continued, ‘that on this occasion I find room for agreement with Lord Edward. In the light of present events and the uncertainty of war it would be most unwise to leave a lady without protection. Leintwardine Manor would be almost impossible to fortify, an easy target for anyone wishing to take control if its security was not looked to. And a lady on her own …’ He looked anxiously at Lady Mansell. ‘As for raising the annual sum from the property, run-down as it is …’ He shook his head. ‘I advise you to think carefully, my lady, before severing your ties with the Bramptons. Unless, my lord, you yourself are bound into an alliance with a young lady?’
‘No.’
Mansell walked across the room and handed the document to Honoria so that she might read of her proposed fate for herself. She took the paper in fingers that were not quite steady and dropped her gaze from his at last.
‘If you decide to take the advice of Lord Edward, I might suggest that you do so promptly,’ Wellings continued. ‘To bring the properties back into the estate will give you, my lord, every legal right to look to the preservation of Leintwardine Manor and Ingram House.’
‘Thank you, sir, for your time and your timely advice. I believe there is much value in what you say.’ He kept his attention on Honoria’s bent head as she read.
‘It is my pleasure. I hope to be of use to you in the future. To both of you.’ The business completed to his satisfaction, Wellings rose to his feet and bowed.
‘Lady Mansell and I need a few private words in respect of the codicil, Mr Wellings. If you wish to gather up your papers, I will send Foxton with some refreshment. I will see you before you leave, of course.’
He
