The spinster and the wastrel Read Online Free

the suffering within the village of Upper Brampton. Her life had been spent in service to others. She would continue along that path, but now she no longer needed to beg for the coins.
    A smile tugged at her lips. Tomorrow she would discuss the possibilities for Lucille's future and a village school with Mr. Keller. She would hire the solicitor to help her with her plans. Sir Gerard Montfort might dislike her gaining his inheritance, but Annette no longer had to worry about pleasing the Baronet Westcourt. It was a very agreeable feeling.
    As the newest Baronet Westcourt, Sir Gerard did not think he was being accorded the respect due his rank. After the initial cordial greeting, Piers Keller's face had smoothed into a blank gaze. Even the wrinkles seemed to disappear, Sir Gerard thought irritably. Nothing remained to give away the solicitor's thoughts. The stuffy smell of leather books permeated the office, crowded with piles of papers. Although Sir Gerard was used to hunching over a green baize table to gamble, he felt hemmed in. Yet he would not allow such discomfort to interfere with his mission. He intended to get his money back.
    Piers Keller made a steeple of his hands, but Sir Gerard met the man's assessment with a level stare of his own. He would not be intimidated by such manners.
    "You wish to break the will?" the solicitor asked.
    Sir Gerard determined there would be no misunderstanding. "Yes. The money belongs to me and to the estate. It was wrong of my uncle to separate the two. I regard it as proof that his mind was unhinged."
    The other man tapped his fingers together. "Sir Nigel

    had full use of his mental faculties when he ordered the conditions of the will."
    Sir Gerard snorted. "I take leave to doubt that. Look at the results. He must have been mad."
    More finger-tapping. "You will find it a difficult proposition to have him declared thus. Until the day of his heart seizure, Sir Nigel remained as alert as any other man. Indeed, he was sharper than most." Keller leaned forward. "Since you were in London, how do you propose to prove your assertion? All the witnesses are here where Sir Nigel lived and where you did not visit."
    In frustration, Sir Gerard slammed his fist on the desk, making the quill pens bounce. "You are a solicitor. Certainly I can hire you to overturn the will."
    Mild interest appeared on the other man's face. "Do you have the funds to pursue such a course? For I believe it is my duty to warn you the case will be both lengthy and expensive."
    Time and money. The two things he could not afford now. Back in London, gambling debts howled to be paid, and that money-lender would not wait forever.
    At first his uncle's death had appeared to be a fortuitous blessing, now he faced social ruin if he did not honor his notes. Still the solicitor's attention boded well for his hopes.
    He settled back in his chair as hope began to stir within him. "Why should it be so difficult and costly to get the money back? After all, Miss Courtney appears to be only a poor spinster. If I offered her a settlement to avoid the legal hassles, I should think she would be quite happy to return the funds."
    "The will is a solid document, designed to withstand challenges."

    Sir Gerard permitted himself a smile. "It can still be overturned. If you are not capable of undertaking the task, I will hire someone who is. London has many capable lawyers."
    The solicitor stiffened. "/ wrote that will, and it will not be overturned. Not even if you bring your hired legal experts from London. You may regard my abilities as only suitable for the country, but the law rules even in the farthest corners of England. Even in Upper Brampton village."
    "That will is a miscarriage of justice!"
    Keller stood and frowned. "You will not break this will. No matter how hard you try. It is as solid as the rocks in the ground. Should Miss Courtney ask, my advice will be to refuse any of your settlements. They were not the intentions of Sir Nigel.