Chapter 2

There were few men that Lady Bernadette Sinclair disliked less than Edward Morgan, the favourite solicitor of her late husband. Morgan was a young man who looked perpetually disheveled and spoke about the law with far more enthusiasm than was appropriate for any living being, even a lawyer.

Bernadette had expressed her concerns when Lord Norwood first introduced her to the man, but he dismissed them all. What did it matter if Morgan was a little unkempt? He was a brilliant attorney, knowledgeable about chancery and common law. Besides, the man was passionate about his occupation, and Lord Norwood had admired that kind of enthusiasm.

"I think it would be best if Lady Victoria were to join us," Morgan said. "Perhaps I ought to visit another time."

Bernadette forced a pleasant smile. "I understand your feelings on the matter, Mr Morgan. However, I see no need to delay. I will be certain to recount our meeting to Victoria once she returns."

Morgan did not need to know that Bernadette had chosen to meet at this time specifically because it was when Victoria and the maid-of-all-work often went to the market. Although Bernadette had not yet seen her late husband's will, Lord Norwood had doubtlessly left Victoria a sizable fortune. The less Victoria knew about that, the better.

"I see," Morgan replied.

Bernadette felt a hot inkling of irritation. She was a lady. This man was a solicitor, not even a gentleman. His father was not even a gentleman. "You sound as though you question my judgement, Mr Morgan."

He smoothed the will over the table and glanced at her, his blue eyes guileless. "No. I apologize if I gave you that impression. It is only that I am accustomed to communicating directly with my clients, and I—"

"And I am Victoria's guardian," Bernadette interrupted. "I am your client, and I will look after my stepdaughter's interests. I will not have you trying to influence her in any way."

At that, Morgan said nothing. Bernadette knew that Morgan was as moral as any man could be. He would not try to influence Victoria. Bernadette also knew that he would not wish to argue with a lady.

"Very well," he said. "Victoria will soon be of age, and her father's wishes were for me to speak to you—and her—when that time came. He has set some things in place to secure Victoria's future."

"Of course," Bernadette replied.

"Are you acquainted with Lord Anthony McCallister, the Duke of Bachester?"

"Yes," Bernadette said. "My Lord's business partner. I believe that we met on a few different occasions."

She could not recall any specific meetings, though. Bernadette had never been particularly interested in Lord Norwood's business ventures. She had made her appearances, as expected, so everyone could see that Lord Norwood was wed to a beautiful young woman. But otherwise, she and her husband's business associates lived in entirely different worlds.

"His son Lord Thomas McCallister is five-and-twenty years of age," Morgan said. "A bachelor with, as you might imagine, a vast fortune to his name. It was Lord Norwood's wish that he and Lady Victoria should wed, and the late Lord Bedford agreed to the arrangement. At their marriage, the late Lord Bedford and Lord Norwood's fortunes both will transfer to the current Lord Bedford, so he will have the means to care for both Lady Victoria and yourself."

A coldness seeped into Bernadette, sinking all the way to her bones. She hoped that she had misheard Morgan, but she doubted it. "And myself?"

"Indeed," Morgan replied. "Lord Norwood felt that Lady Victoria might be unable to manage such a vast fortune at such a tender age, so he thought it best for that fortune to be placed into the hands of someone with more worldly experience."

"And am I not someone with more worldly experience?" Bernadette asked. "Have I not cared for his beloved daughter and managed the household for years without aid?"

"I do not doubt that you can manage your household, My Lady," Morgan said. "I am only explaining my lord's reasoning."

"And what has he left me, then?"

"He left you this beautiful home," Morgan replied, "and the means to sustain yourself and Victoria for years. He also wished that I express his appreciation towards you for your wonderful care of Victoria, and he had faith that his daughter and her husband would show you the same level of devotion."

Bernadette's chest grew tight. The same level of devotion was not the comforting prospect that Morgan likely assumed it would be. It was not her fault! A headstrong young lady like Victoria had needed a firm hand; her father had been too idealistic and forgiving. Victoria had needed to learn that the world was a cruel and heartless place, especially for a woman, and so Bernadette had taught her that! How could anyone blame her for that? They should not!

Oh, but they would. Bernadette straightened her spine and silently cursed this bumbling, ridiculous attorney. She had no doubt that this disgustingly moral man would not be bought either. The courts of London were full of corruption. Everyone knew it. And Lord Norwood just had to find the one morally scrupulous lawyer of the lot, of course.

"That is it, then? I have no guarantee of anything," Bernadette said.

"Your daughter's love," Morgan said, "and Lord Bedford's good sense."

She had never wanted so badly to strike a man in her life. Bernadette took a deep breath. "And let us suppose that the marriage does not go through," she said. "Victoria cherishes her freedom. Perhaps, she will not wish to marry Lord Bedford. I do not know if I have the heart to force her."

"Lord Norwood thought of that, also," Morgan said. "If Lady Victoria does not wish to wed Lord Bedford, Lord Norwood requested that his fortune—half of the collective earnings from his business with the late Lord Bedford—would be entrusted into your care with the expectation that you would ensure Lady Victoria maintains an appropriate standard of living."

Bernadette grasped onto that small, flickering light of hope like a condemned woman. "I see."

"Lord Norwood thought that Lady Victoria might find a love match," Morgan said, "but given that he could predict neither the character nor the stature of such a man, he felt that you would be the best candidate for ensuring both his daughter's welfare and your own."

"Of course, Mr Morgan. Unless a reliable man is involved, I am the best candidate," she said dryly.

Morgan blinked, looking vaguely taken aback. "I am certain that was not my lord's intent."

Oh, but it was! As progressive a man as Lord Norwood had been, he was still a man.

Morgan cleared his throat. "There are some additional stipulations."

"And those are?"

"Lord Bedford and Lady Victoria must be wed within two months of her introduction to the ton, which must happen this month," Morgan said. "Lord Norwood's desire was that you allow Lady Victoria to attend as many balls and soirees as she wants to ensure that she and Lord Bedford are well-acquainted and, therefore, able to make an informed choice about a potential marriage."

That was an unfortunate complication. Bernadette would be unable to simply insist on Victoria remaining in the townhouse in the hopes of keeping her away from Lord Bedford, and surely, that would be the simplest solution. If Bernadette could persuade Victoria to marry someone else, anyone else, Bernadette would inherit her husband's fortune.

"Of course," Bernadette said. "I would not dream of doing otherwise. Every young lady must have a proper season. I remember my own quite fondly."

She had met Lord Norwood, a wealthy widower, during her first season. She had liked him, too. Bernadette was not so foolish as to believe that love really existed, but mutual amicability was enough. She assumed they would be husband and wife for a long time. She would want for nothing and give her husband the proper male heir that he so desired.

To Bernadette, her life seemed to be just what a young lady ought to hope for. Her future was secure, or it had been. When Lord Norwood died just a year later, Bernadette had been genuinely distraught. She was a young widow, burdened with a daughter who was not her own, and although her husband's money had left her with the means to survive, his death brought other difficulties.

The ton expected her to wed another man. They expected her to be a doting mother, and Bernadette had realized only then that she did not want to be a mother. She did not have a maternal nature. She was not patient or kind-hearted, and being forced into the role of mother and widow so young was the greatest injustice she had ever endured.

"Do you have any questions about the terms of the contract?" Morgan asked.

"No, I think you have made yourself clear."

This foolish solicitor was beginning to give her a migraine. As soon as Victoria was wed to any man except Lord Bedford, Bernadette would be a wealthy widow once again. Even better, she would no longer be responsible for this child that was not hers. Victoria's husband would see to her survival. Who cared if that was not the life that Lord Norwood would have wished for his only daughter? It would be the life that best suited Bernadette, whom Lord Norwood had not seen fit to care for after his death.

Her husband loved his daughter more than her. Now, Bernadette wondered if he had ever loved her at all. Had she just been a means to an end? A way to find a mother for his child? Perhaps their marriage—which for her had been a friendship with enough money to survive—had only ever been a matter of convenience for him.

"Very well. If you or Lady Victoria have any concerns, you are always welcome to call on my services. Lord Norwood entrusted me with ensuring that Lady Victoria has a peaceful life, and I take that responsibility very seriously."

"Thank you, but I am sure that will not be necessary."

As soon as Bernadette had the inheritance that was rightfully hers, she would do business with any man save this one.

She stood, and Morgan hastened to his feet. He folded the will and stowed it in his jacket pocket. "Thank you for your time, My Lady."

"Elizabeth will escort you to the door."

Morgan bowed and left, accompanied by the parlour maid. Once the man was gone, Bernadette rubbed her temples, trying to force away the slowly growing pressure. The situation was vexing, but she had faced greater difficulties before. This would be difficult but manageable.

Bernadette curled her hands into fists and took a steadying breath. It surely would not be that difficult to ensure that Victoria married another man. There were many in the ton, each more handsome than the last. Besides, Victoria was young and foolish, so full of youthful impulsivity and extravagant dreams. It would be simple to coax her into making a bad choice, especially if she did not know what the stakes were.