Free Amanda Scott - [Dangerous 02] by Dangerous Angels

say that it is, your ladyship. Please, bear in mind that although his lordship was aware that in the natural way of things, and notwithstanding your ladyship’s precarious health, he might well predecease you, he also expected his son to look after you and see that you lacked for naught.”
    “Don’t fret, Grandmama,” Charley said calmly. “You will continue to live as comfortably as ever. You still have your share of the Balterley money, after all.”
    Lady St. Merryn brightened. “Quite right. I had forgotten that.”
    Kenhorn cleared his throat. “As to that, ma’am, I am happy to say that there is still a good bit of principal left of your marriage portion. Nevertheless, you will recall that you signed a large amount over to your husband several years ago to help settle some difficulties at one of the mines. Moreover, the amount I previously mentioned includes the income from what remains of your marriage portion.”
    “Good God.” Turning pale, Lady St. Merryn collapsed against her cushions.
    “His lordship left Miss Davies three thousand pounds,” Kenhorn went on.
    “Goodness me,” Miss Davies said, blinking. “H-how generous.”
    “Fustian,” Charley snapped. “Three thousand a year might be thought generous, Cousin, but a mere three thousand pounds after all the years you have so faithfully served my grandmother is absurd. I wish I might have had five minutes alone with Grandpapa to tell him what I think about that.”
    “Charlotte!” Lady St. Merryn raised her vinaigrette and breathed deeply.
    Miss Davies was flustered. “You are too kind, Charley dear. But really, you must not say such things, not at such a sad time, you know.”
    “I could say much worse,” Charley said, turning back to Kenhorn. “I scarcely dare to ask, sir. Did he leave me anything?”
    “He left ten thousand pounds to each of his two daughters, the Lady Susan and the Lady Daintry,” Kenhorn said, avoiding her gaze, “but I am afraid he expected your papa to provide for you, Miss Charlotte. He did leave you the pick of any horses currently in his stable. He also left three thousand pounds to augment whatever dowry your father arranged for you, but only in the event that you were married at the time of his death or married within a year after it. That is all. I might add that you are the only one of his grandchildren to whom he left a penny. The residual portion of his private fortune, along with all the entailed property, goes directly to his heir.”
    “And who is the heir, sir? I confess, I haven’t a notion.”
    Before Kenhorn spoke, Lady St. Merryn said, “It must be one of the Norfolk Tarrants, for St. Merryn had no brothers. We don’t know them.”
    “Quite right,” Kenhorn said, “but there is actually some question as to which one it is, I’m afraid. The earl saw no reason to add that information to his will while young Charles lived, but I shall have it sorted out very soon, I expect. In any event, no one can alter anything here at Tuscombe Park until we complete probate, so you can all go on as before until the new heir arrives to set things in order.”
    Charley said, “I am disappointed in Grandpapa. He knew very well that I have no intention of submitting my body or my mind to any man’s direction, because I decided that much when I was a child. I told him many times—and Papa, too—just how I want to live my life. It is as if they never took heed of my wishes at all.”
    “I am afraid you are right, Miss Charlotte, but in fairness to your grandfather, your wishes must have appeared rather foolish to him. Many a young lady has said she never intends to marry, only to find that marriage is her best course. There is no place for single, independent females in our society. When all is said and done, a woman needs a man to look after her. Surely, you must agree. Moreover,” he added before she could set him straight, “I can tell you that your grandpapa assumed that you would have married long