guard.
Instead of taking a seat to join them, Lydia stood at the back of the nearest chair. She clutched the ornate frame for strength and met each person’s eyes before speaking.
“I can’t think of any way in which you could assist me. However, you should know that I have no intention of keeping your mother’s things,” she said, looking directly at Jeannette. “The jewelry and furs are of no interest to me. Some time back, my father set up a trust for me, and I am quite comfortable. So whatever the outcome of having the will set aside and reviewed”—she now turned her attention to Marston and Mitchell—“I want you to take the contents of this house, and the house itself. I have already spoken to my lawyer, and he will make the arrangements once the will is settled.”
Marston took his seat and reached for his coffee. “And what of the rest of the fortune—the businesses, stocks, and bank accounts?”
“My lawyer has advised that those are issues for the court to determine, and he will see to the matter.”
“And what do you intend to do in the meanwhile?” Mitchell asked.
Lydia chose her words carefully. “My lawyer is arranging new living quarters for me. I hope to be gone from this house very soon. I desire to take only my violin and the few personal items I brought into the marriage.”
“You aren’t taking your clothes?” Jeannette asked in surprise.
“No, you are welcome to them,” Lydia replied, knowing full well that Jeannette’s stockier frame would never fit into any of the garish fashions.
Evie looked at her for a moment and smiled. Lydia could see that the young woman clearly understood. She wanted nothing of this life to serve as a reminder of the past. No trinket. No memento of her twelve years of fear and pain.
“I’m glad to see that you are being reasonable about this. It will be much easier on everyone. We will want to divide up the goods and sell the place as soon as possible,” Marston stated in a businesslike manner. “As for the other, we want to discuss your plans. Mitchell and I both hold stock in Rockford and Gray’s Casket Company. We have a vested interest in the future of that company and of the furniture business, as well.”
“I can appreciate that, but I am honestly uncertain how the lawyer will handle the businesses. You may feel free, however, to discuss it with him at any time.”
Marston put down his cup. “But can we not discuss it with you?” He surprised Lydia once again by softening his tone. “Lydia, you know we have worked hard to grow this business. Rockford and Gray makes the finest caskets in the country. We have a reputation to uphold. It’s to your benefit, as well as ours.”
“My father invested heavily in the business, as well. As I recall, when I married your father a great deal of money changed hands.
My father was already making caskets on the side, as many furniture makers did. Your father saw his own business struggling. The arrangement benefited both sides. Unfortunately, I was forced to be in the middle of that affair.”
“You benefited, as well—” Mitchell began.
Lydia held up her hand. “I will not discuss this with you any further than to say you all bore witness to the misery I endured. We all know the truth. You know it for yourselves, as well. Your father was overbearing. He was harsh and uncaring. He beat you without cause, just as he did me.” Lydia felt her anger increase. “I don’t care what you think of me. I was a young girl when I married, and I did my best. I was terrified when I came here, but I leave feeling quite the opposite. I have endured the worst that any woman could ever suffer. I have miscarried my unborn children. I have lain awake at night, fearing the morrow. I am free of that now, and I will never allow myself to fall victim to that again.”
“What a martyr,” Jeannette said in a huff.
Marston turned to his sister. “Be still, Jeannette. Lydia is right. She has borne a great
Instead of taking a seat to join them, Lydia stood at the back of the nearest chair. She clutched the ornate frame for strength and met each person’s eyes before speaking.
“I can’t think of any way in which you could assist me. However, you should know that I have no intention of keeping your mother’s things,” she said, looking directly at Jeannette. “The jewelry and furs are of no interest to me. Some time back, my father set up a trust for me, and I am quite comfortable. So whatever the outcome of having the will set aside and reviewed”—she now turned her attention to Marston and Mitchell—“I want you to take the contents of this house, and the house itself. I have already spoken to my lawyer, and he will make the arrangements once the will is settled.”
Marston took his seat and reached for his coffee. “And what of the rest of the fortune—the businesses, stocks, and bank accounts?”
“My lawyer has advised that those are issues for the court to determine, and he will see to the matter.”
“And what do you intend to do in the meanwhile?” Mitchell asked.
Lydia chose her words carefully. “My lawyer is arranging new living quarters for me. I hope to be gone from this house very soon. I desire to take only my violin and the few personal items I brought into the marriage.”
“You aren’t taking your clothes?” Jeannette asked in surprise.
“No, you are welcome to them,” Lydia replied, knowing full well that Jeannette’s stockier frame would never fit into any of the garish fashions.
Evie looked at her for a moment and smiled. Lydia could see that the young woman clearly understood. She wanted nothing of this life to serve as a reminder of the past. No trinket. No memento of her twelve years of fear and pain.
“I’m glad to see that you are being reasonable about this. It will be much easier on everyone. We will want to divide up the goods and sell the place as soon as possible,” Marston stated in a businesslike manner. “As for the other, we want to discuss your plans. Mitchell and I both hold stock in Rockford and Gray’s Casket Company. We have a vested interest in the future of that company and of the furniture business, as well.”
“I can appreciate that, but I am honestly uncertain how the lawyer will handle the businesses. You may feel free, however, to discuss it with him at any time.”
Marston put down his cup. “But can we not discuss it with you?” He surprised Lydia once again by softening his tone. “Lydia, you know we have worked hard to grow this business. Rockford and Gray makes the finest caskets in the country. We have a reputation to uphold. It’s to your benefit, as well as ours.”
“My father invested heavily in the business, as well. As I recall, when I married your father a great deal of money changed hands.
My father was already making caskets on the side, as many furniture makers did. Your father saw his own business struggling. The arrangement benefited both sides. Unfortunately, I was forced to be in the middle of that affair.”
“You benefited, as well—” Mitchell began.
Lydia held up her hand. “I will not discuss this with you any further than to say you all bore witness to the misery I endured. We all know the truth. You know it for yourselves, as well. Your father was overbearing. He was harsh and uncaring. He beat you without cause, just as he did me.” Lydia felt her anger increase. “I don’t care what you think of me. I was a young girl when I married, and I did my best. I was terrified when I came here, but I leave feeling quite the opposite. I have endured the worst that any woman could ever suffer. I have miscarried my unborn children. I have lain awake at night, fearing the morrow. I am free of that now, and I will never allow myself to fall victim to that again.”
“What a martyr,” Jeannette said in a huff.
Marston turned to his sister. “Be still, Jeannette. Lydia is right. She has borne a great
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