The Price of Innocence (The Legacy Series) Read Online Free

she nodded in agreement. “Yes, thank you. That would be more than helpful.”
    Suzette turned to Monsieur Pelletier. “Will you assist me with these matters?”
    “Yes, of course.” He stood up, held out his hand, and aided Suzette to her feet. After polite goodbyes, they returned to search out the matter of Edgar Rousseau’s finances.
    * * *
     
    Suzette spent a sleepless night tossing and turning in bed. Her lack of rest did nothing to help her present state of mind as she sat before the solicitor’s desk. Her body shook, and her knees bobbed up and down from nerves. She placed her cold hands upon her bony joints to suppress the movement, but failed to stop the jerking. It was a horrible nervous reaction she struggled with her entire life, which caused her to blush profusely with embarrassment.
    The evening before, Monsieur Pelletier and his wife assisted Suzette as they rummaged through her father’s desk looking for answers. To their dismay, they discovered little—only a few bank registers revealing miniscule funds. Bills from debtors were stuffed in drawers, which Suzette found disturbing. Her father’s personal papers were stacked in no semblance of order. After an hour of searching every inch of Edgar’s desk, they had only gleaned a bad case of frustration.
    However, among the clutter they discovered a business card bearing the name of Edward Dupree, Solicitor. Monsieur Pelletier hoped it was her father’s personal solicitor, who handled his will and other financial matters. They set out the next morning to the gentleman’s office in hopes of discovering answers to their questions.
    Finally, after minutes of Suzette holding her knees down, a tall, young male clerk entered the waiting area. “Monsieur Dupree will see you now. Please come with me.” He led the way to a large office, where an austere man greeted them with a stern expression.
    “Mademoiselle Rousseau, it is a pleasure to meet you.” He looked at her companion, because no introduction had been made. “And what is your relationship to the young lady?”
    “Forgive me, Monsieur, but this is my neighbor, Monsieur Pelletier,” Suzette apologetically clarified. “He has been graciously helping me, in order to ascertain my father’s financial situation.”
    “Pleasure to meet you, Monsieur.” He offered a weak handshake. “Please have a seat.” After they had situated themselves, he continued. “So, how may I help you today?”
    “Well, Monsieur,” Suzette began in a shaky voice, “I found your card among my deceased father’s belongings.” Tears welled in her eyes, and she bit her quivering lips in an attempt to control her emotions. After inhaling a deep breath for composure, she continued. “My father passed away yesterday.”
    “My sincerest condolences,” he interjected. A concerned look furrowed his brow as he waited for her to continue.
    “I—we,” she corrected, looking at Monsieur Pelletier, “have gone through my father’s desk, checking his financial matters and found your card. We thought perhaps that you might know of a will he possessed or might have information about his finances.” Suzette paused for a moment. “I need to bury my father, Monsieur,” she spoke, lowering her gaze to her lap. “But I do not know where I can find my father’s money in order to take care of the arrangements.”
    Monsieur Dupree looked at Suzette and then glanced at Monsieur Pelletier. He knew they both wished to hear good news; but, unfortunately, he would be the bearer of bad. He stood up and walked to the window and glanced at the street below to avoid the forthcoming pained expressions upon their faces.
    “I’m afraid, Mademoiselle Rousseau, that your father has no money,” he said coldly. He watched the numerous carriages passing by outside for a few moments in order to collect his thoughts before continuing to explain the sorry state of affairs. Finally, he turned around and faced Suzette.
    “I have been hired by