A Match Made in Bed (Spinster Heiresses #2)(59)

“You mean, that I purchased,” Cassandra said.

“Quite so.”

“There is nothing I can do?” she pressed. “He stole my mother’s sapphires from me.”

“If the jewels had belonged to his late wife, then they would have gone to him.”

“Except my grandfather’s solicitor visited and clarified that in my mother’s will the jewels had been meant for me. He made my stepmother hand them over to me.”

Mr. Forrester leaned forward. “Do you have a copy of the will?”

Cassandra sat back uneasily. “No.”

“Do you know your grandfather’s solicitor’s name?”

“Mr. Calder. I am told he is well respected.”

“He was. I regret to say he passed away several years ago,” Mr. Forrester said. “Do you have any documents that can support your claim?”

“I do not. My father had those. I’m certain he will not share whatever papers he has.”

Mr. Forrester’s face grew long. “Then it is your word against Holwell’s, my lady, unless someone else knows he took them.”

Helen knew, but she would not side with Cassandra. Ever.

The solicitor continued, “As for the money, he will claim he spent it, as a guardian should, on your welfare.”

“Then may I claim his London house?”

“We may try . . . but again, do you have documents naming you as your grandfather’s sole heir?”

“Everyone knows he left his fortune to me,” Cassandra answered.

“But we don’t have papers that say as much, do we? I’m not trying to beleaguer you, my lady. However, the courts will demand proof.”

“If Mr. Calder is no longer with us, then it will be my word against MP Holwell’s.”

“Exactly. Including any discussion on how much money you were to inherit.”

“Or whether or not I owned the sapphires.”

Soren leaned toward her. “It is up to you. If you wish to go after him, I’ll give it all I have.”

But they didn’t have much. Cassandra stood. “Thank you, Mr. Forrester. I appreciate your counsel.” Soren followed her out of the office.

Outside on the walk, he placed his hand on her arm. “We do not need the money from the sapphires. Your pearls have given us enough. We will manage.”

She shook her head. “The money never seemed real to me. But those jewels are all I truly had of my mother.” She touched the pearl on its ribbon. She thought of the garnets she kept hidden. “As time goes by, I grow further and further away from her. I used to remember her perfume, but now I can’t recall it. Sometimes I can see her face, but it is hazy. And there are many things I wish I knew about her. Such as the story of my father. I wonder why he did not do what was honorable?”

She squared her shoulders. “Are we taking the mail to Cornwall? Or do we have the funds to travel privately?” She believed she was being very brave to put forth the idea of the mail. It was a horrible, crowded way to travel, but she’d do what she must.

“I thought we would go by chaise.”

She couldn’t hide her relief, and Soren laughed. While she prepared for them to leave at the hotel, he made arrangements for a vehicle. Within two hours, they were on the road.

And Cassandra regretfully said farewell to the city that had once been her every dream.





Chapter 15




One thing Soren had learned over his years was that chasing vengeance was an empty endeavor. There would come a time when Holwell would pay for his betrayal, but it would not be at Soren’s expense.

He firmly believed the best action he and Cassandra could take was to pour their energy into something that had meaning, such as Pentreath. His vision was of the two of them and Logan living as a family.

He knew Cassandra had doubts. He’d had a moment’s twinge when he’d brought the post chaise and driver to the hotel to collect her. She could have bolted, but she hadn’t.

And he was pleased, because he was in love with his wife.

Deeply in love.

And it had little to do with their bed sport, although that made him very happy. Every man wanted a partner who matched him in passion.

However, Cass had always attracted him. The youthful infatuation he’d felt for her had given way to a strong admiration for her resilience. He knew how hard leaving London was for her. He’d felt the same when he’d left Canada.

She had stared out the window as they rode through London as if she would memorize all the sights and sounds.

Once they left the city, she’d lowered her head, resting it in her arms as if in deep grief.

“It will grow easier, Cassandra.”

She nodded but didn’t look at him. In time, she fell asleep in that pose. He reached over and gently pulled her to rest her head on his shoulder. His thought was to make her comfortable—

“Why did you marry your first wife?”

Ah, so she wasn’t asleep. Soren shifted his weight so he could settle them both more comfortably in the close quarters of the post chaise’s interior. The road was good here and the ride smooth for a hired vehicle. The afternoon sky had promised rain, but the clouds were beginning to clear.

He answered her question because he had vowed honesty. He wanted her trust. “I thought she was the most exotic woman I’d ever met.”