Love and Splendor: The Coltrane Saga, Book 5 Read Online Free Page B

he said, “I think we do know each other now, Dani, as well as love each other, so perhaps it’s time you experienced other things in life, met new people, educated yourself by learning more about the world around you.”
    She nodded thoughtfully. “Perhaps you’re right.”
    He reached into the pocket of his coat and brought out a long white envelope and held it out to her. It was addressed to him, in care of the embassy, and had been opened. “Perhaps you can start by making one last trip to Monaco.”
    She blinked, puzzled, took the envelope and withdrew the folded letter inside. As she scanned the pages, Travis explained, “As you know, when Alaina died, she was nearly destitute. The Count had lost the family fortune due to his gambling compulsion. Alaina had begun to sell off her jewels and the valuable furnishings. That was what motivated her to back Gavin Mason’s scheme to take your money and Colt’s in a swindle that almost worked.”
    Dani closed her eyes in painful remembrance. “I really don’t want to go back over all that. It makes me think of the convent, and all that happened, and how I nearly lost you forever.”
    He murmured in agreement, then continued. “Well, I made a trip down there to close out her estate, what, there was of it, and that’s when I discovered I could hang on to the château for you by paying the delinquent taxes.”
    “I never wanted it,” Dani reminded him quietly.
    “True. You said so at the time. But I also pointed out that when Alaina moved to France, she took what was left of value from the Barbeau estate in Kentucky. I figured the château represented all that was left of your mother and her family, and you had it coming to you.”
    Dani shook her head. “I still don’t want it. I never want to go there again. I certainly don’t intend to live there.”
    “That letter,” Travis said, “is from a lawyer in Toulon who says he has a buyer for the property. You will see that the amount offered is not that great, but it will add a nice sum to your bank account.”
    Dani laid the letter aside as Kitty walked onto the terrace. “Then sell it,” she said simply. “As I’ve said before, it only holds sad memories for me, and I never want to go back there.”
    Kitty bade them good morning, then Dani told her about the letter.
    “I’ll get a letter off to the lawyer before I leave and tell him you’ll accept the offer,” Travis said.
    Dani shrugged. “Fine. I’ll be glad to know it’s sold and gone.”
    Kitty had been listening thoughtfully. Then she said, “Dani, let’s go down there.”
    Dani shook her head. “Why on Earth would I want to, Kitty? To stir up old memories of what it was like having Aunt Alaina dictate my every thought, word, and deed…or how miserable it was to grow up with a lecherous little monster like Gavin? No, thank you. I’ve lost nothing in Monaco and have no reason to return.”
    “I disagree,” Travis declared.
    Dani turned to stare at him incredulously.
    He and Kitty exchanged understanding smiles, and then he turned to Dani and said, “I know why she thinks you should go, kitten. There are still some things in the house, things that might have belonged to your mother’s family that you might possibly like to keep. I don’t know what might be there since at Alaina’s death I instructed the attorney to seal up the château and to let us know if anyone was interested in buying it. You don’t know what’s stored there.”
    Dani really did not want to go, yet she knew they were probably right, that there might be some articles there of sentimental value, things no one else would want. Anything of any real worth had no doubt been sold by Alaina before her death.
    “Well?” Kitty prompted, a hopeful smile spreading across her lovely face. “Just say the word, and I’ll begin making arrangements for the trip. We’ll go by carriage so we can bring things back.”
    Dani was still not convinced it was the right thing to do.