golden good looks. And yet . . .
Dare she admit it? Lawrence paled from thought when his brother, Adrian, appeared. It seemed unfair, congenial Lawrence overshadowed by his dark, unapproachable brother.
Mr. Whitmore returned to the desk and, after taking a sip of water from a glass on a small silver tray there, he took up the will once more.
"The message now turns to the ladies," he announced.
Majel shifted forward in her chair, sending a confident glance to Cissy.
"'Majel and Cissy, again I will be plain. You both enjoy coffers heaped with jewelry. Majel, you wait with your husband for an expected inheritance. When the time of your father-in-law's passing occurs, you will rise in status higher than your own brother, being elevated to the rank of countess. Though you do not wish your father-in-law ill, I am sure, I know you look forward with great anticipation to that day. At that time, you will have access to the Pendergast jewels and though not to compare with the Marrable jewels, I understand they would leave most women breathless.'"
Majel held her head high, sliding a superior look to her brother Adrian.
"'My dear Cissy, your husband spoils you with countless baubles. It is plain to see he adores you, though personally I encourage him, like Lawrence, to exercise more restraint lest he soon exhaust his fortune on your account. You know I say this with love, for to enjoy a husband's devotion and generosity is in itself a priceless gift.
"'Therefore, carefully considering all this, and also respecting that many of the jewels in my collection are family heirlooms, owning sentimental as well as actual value, it is my wish for them to be passed down through the female line, ensuring they stay within the family. I hereby bequeath them to you, my nieces, Majel and Cissy, to be divided equally and equitably between you. I encourage you to continue this tradition and pass the pieces on through your own daughters and your daughters’ daughters, keeping them within the bloodline.'"
Majel expelled a breath, obviously relieved. As her gaze sliced to Cissy, Vanessa felt sorry for the younger woman. The disposition of Lady Gwendolyn's jewels was far from settled.
Mr. Whitmore informed the sisters the jewelry was being kept in Lord Marrable's safe and asked that they wait until after the reading before taking possession of it.
"Lady Gwendolyn's will now turns to Mrs. Wynters," Mr. Whitmore informed.
Vanessa dropped her gaze to her lap as the others directed their attention her way.
"'As you are all well aware, for over twenty-five years I have experimented with photography. It is a passion and a pursuit that I have enjoyed immensely and for which I have spared little expense. To date, there are literally hundreds, if not a thousand or more, of my photographs stored at Sherringham. These I leave to my nephews and nieces jointly and appoint Adrian to oversee any and all final decisions concerning their fate. Divide them as you please, or keep them together in a single collection, as you will, but do enjoy them.
"As regards my photographic equipment and supplies, however, these, in their entireties, I bequeath with great joy and satisfaction to my dear friend and companion, Mrs. Vanessa Wynters."
Vanessa's jaw dropped, her gaze flying to the solicitor. "In their entireties?"
"Why?" Majel leaned forward of her chair to better view Vanessa. "Is any of it valuable?"
"Majel, do shut up!" Lawrence clipped out, his tone sharp with impatience. "Mr. Whitmore, proceed."
"Yes, here we are. Oh, and yes to you Mrs. Wynters. All photographic equipment and supplies 'in their entireties' are bequeathed to you. Now, I'll begin where I left off.
"'My dear Vanessa, you possess an innate talent, which in only two years' time is already impressive and still reaching toward its full potential. I realize that my death will consequently result in your lack of employment. As you are widowed
Dare she admit it? Lawrence paled from thought when his brother, Adrian, appeared. It seemed unfair, congenial Lawrence overshadowed by his dark, unapproachable brother.
Mr. Whitmore returned to the desk and, after taking a sip of water from a glass on a small silver tray there, he took up the will once more.
"The message now turns to the ladies," he announced.
Majel shifted forward in her chair, sending a confident glance to Cissy.
"'Majel and Cissy, again I will be plain. You both enjoy coffers heaped with jewelry. Majel, you wait with your husband for an expected inheritance. When the time of your father-in-law's passing occurs, you will rise in status higher than your own brother, being elevated to the rank of countess. Though you do not wish your father-in-law ill, I am sure, I know you look forward with great anticipation to that day. At that time, you will have access to the Pendergast jewels and though not to compare with the Marrable jewels, I understand they would leave most women breathless.'"
Majel held her head high, sliding a superior look to her brother Adrian.
"'My dear Cissy, your husband spoils you with countless baubles. It is plain to see he adores you, though personally I encourage him, like Lawrence, to exercise more restraint lest he soon exhaust his fortune on your account. You know I say this with love, for to enjoy a husband's devotion and generosity is in itself a priceless gift.
"'Therefore, carefully considering all this, and also respecting that many of the jewels in my collection are family heirlooms, owning sentimental as well as actual value, it is my wish for them to be passed down through the female line, ensuring they stay within the family. I hereby bequeath them to you, my nieces, Majel and Cissy, to be divided equally and equitably between you. I encourage you to continue this tradition and pass the pieces on through your own daughters and your daughters’ daughters, keeping them within the bloodline.'"
Majel expelled a breath, obviously relieved. As her gaze sliced to Cissy, Vanessa felt sorry for the younger woman. The disposition of Lady Gwendolyn's jewels was far from settled.
Mr. Whitmore informed the sisters the jewelry was being kept in Lord Marrable's safe and asked that they wait until after the reading before taking possession of it.
"Lady Gwendolyn's will now turns to Mrs. Wynters," Mr. Whitmore informed.
Vanessa dropped her gaze to her lap as the others directed their attention her way.
"'As you are all well aware, for over twenty-five years I have experimented with photography. It is a passion and a pursuit that I have enjoyed immensely and for which I have spared little expense. To date, there are literally hundreds, if not a thousand or more, of my photographs stored at Sherringham. These I leave to my nephews and nieces jointly and appoint Adrian to oversee any and all final decisions concerning their fate. Divide them as you please, or keep them together in a single collection, as you will, but do enjoy them.
"As regards my photographic equipment and supplies, however, these, in their entireties, I bequeath with great joy and satisfaction to my dear friend and companion, Mrs. Vanessa Wynters."
Vanessa's jaw dropped, her gaze flying to the solicitor. "In their entireties?"
"Why?" Majel leaned forward of her chair to better view Vanessa. "Is any of it valuable?"
"Majel, do shut up!" Lawrence clipped out, his tone sharp with impatience. "Mr. Whitmore, proceed."
"Yes, here we are. Oh, and yes to you Mrs. Wynters. All photographic equipment and supplies 'in their entireties' are bequeathed to you. Now, I'll begin where I left off.
"'My dear Vanessa, you possess an innate talent, which in only two years' time is already impressive and still reaching toward its full potential. I realize that my death will consequently result in your lack of employment. As you are widowed
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