The Everdon Series- the Complete Set

by L C Kincaide

  Taking a fortifying breath, Emma started on gathering her own belongings from the armoire including the godawful dress Elinor had smuggled into her room to wear to the wedding. She then dumped out the contents of the bag and satchel; her crumpled clothes, shoes, gifts and the books on Everdon Manor tumbling out.

  With the shock of her mother’s sudden death and all the activity surrounding that, she had forgotten all about Adam, though they had been arguing about him — or what concerned him. How could he have slipped her mind? She gazed at the book cover then picked up the phone and let Mr. Andrews know what happened to her mother and what she wanted him to do next.

  “Can you have this done before the end of day?”

  “By four o’clock.” He said tersely.

  She had until then to pack everything, make herself presentable and get to the lawyer’s. Finished with her suitcase, she took a deep breath and stepped into the adjoining room and pulled out Elinor’s luggage giving the unmade bed only a fleeting look. If she thought packing her mother’s belongings would be easy, she soon discovered it was one of the most difficult of chores she had ever faced.

  ~*~

  “As your solicitor, I strongly advise against this course of action.” He blustered, red-faced. “I appreciate you are in shock over your mother’s untimely death and are grieving. This is the worst possible time to be making momentous decisions. Take a while to think things over and when you’re feeling better, we can discuss it further. I’m sure the Hyde-Smythes will understand the delay given the tragic circumstances.”

  The young woman with the pale complexion sitting rigid across from the desk regarded him with swollen eyes. She ought to be sedated in bed and not issuing foolhardy demands.

  “Thank you for your concern, but my mind’s made up. More time won’t make a difference. Where do I sign?”

  He all but gaped at her, but he couldn’t help himself. What on earth had possessed her to take this extraordinary action? Only two days ago her mother had sat in that chair tasking him with drawing this very document. Her gaze unsettled him too; the woman hardly blinked.

  She had expected him to push back. He likely thought she had lost her mind the way he regarded her, his hands clutching the document as if the sheer force of his grasp could protect it from her signature. Just a few more minutes, and this too would be over, she reminded herself.

  Reluctantly, he slid it and a copy across the desk. “This is highly irregular.” He muttered.

  “I’m sure it is, Mr. Andrews.” She signed and initialed where indicated and set down the pen. It was done, and she breathed a sigh of relief some of the burden easing from her shoulders.

  “Can you send this by overnight courier, please?”

  “Certainly.”

  “Here’s the address.” Emma slid a piece of paper toward him.

  He glanced at it defeated and asked Mrs. Higgins to prepare the envelope.

  “Will there be anything else, Miss Stuart?”

  “Just one more thing. Please have all the documentation relating to the Everdon Trust in order. My attorneys in the States will be in touch with you shortly.”

  He blanched visibly, but she had to give him credit for keeping his cool. She folded her copy and stashed it in her bag. Rising to her feet, she extended her hand over the desk. He would have to do something about that ulcer soon, she thought releasing him.

  “Have a good day, Mr. Andrews.”

  Hearing from her lawyers? Good one! She’d never met them, didn’t know their names, or even where to find their offices. An appointment there loomed in her near future. How that would go, she couldn’t imagine. Not even Matthew could help her with that, being neither a lawyer nor an Everdon. For now, she hoped they’d know what to do because, quite frankly, she had no clue. Getting through one day at a time was the best she could manage.

  She waited for the elevator on weak legs, glad she had practiced in her head what to do once she arrived, and it went more smoothly than she had feared. Thank God that part was over. Her mother would be furious if she somehow knew; she may even come back and haunt her over it, but she had done the right thing and that, she could live with.

  Sir Theo’s driver, Hadfield let her out at the front gate of a Georgian townhouse, three floors of stone clad exterior with sash windows in an old, upscale neighborhood. Wrought-iron gates opened to a small, but lush green garden on both sides of a slate walkway. At the top of a set of stone steps, a maid greeted her at the white-framed black lacquer door while the driver busied himself with all the luggage, and she followed her down the entrance hallway to a panelled living room with wall sconces and antique furniture. Early evening light filtered through the tall windows and a fire danced in the period fireplace.

  Sir Theo was on his feet and moving toward her when she appeared in the doorway and he took her in an embrace. A large man in height and girth, he enveloped her in his bear-like hug and the comfort of it brought fresh tears. She didn’t notice until he released her that Grace was watching from her position by the window.

  “I’m so dreadfully sorry about your mother.” She came up to her and touched a comforting hand on her arm, which suited Emma well enough. They had never had a warm and fuzzy relationship and a hug would have been awkward.

  “Come along and have a seat.” She indicated one of two antique wingback chairs for her to take. “I rang for tea. Your room is at the back. I’ll show you later.” Grace told her.

  “Thank you.” She replied to both her and Sir Theo who was sitting in a larger version of the chair she occupied. He was shaking his white leonine head still in disbelief over what happened.

  “You poor child.” He said. “Such a tragedy and so far from home.” He cleared his throat. “I have connections at the embassy and they will expedite the process. My friend assures me you will be able to fly back — both of you — Friday evening. If you like, we can make those arrangements for you. I imagine you are in rather a shock.”

  Emma thought of dealing with the airline, giving explanations, muzak seeping into her ears while on hold and realized she could not. Whatever energy she had left had been spent packing their belongings and at the lawyer’s trying to keep herself together. She wanted to sleep, maybe soak in a hot bath first. A bottle of wine wouldn’t hurt.

  “How about a Sherry?” Grace strode to the drinks cabinet as if reading her thoughts. “You’re looking rather pale. A Brandy, daddy?”

  Sir Theo nodded sadly. “You know, my dear, I’ve known your mother all of her life. Though we only saw each other once a year, it seems we grew up together, not unlike you and Grace and Robert and George.” He cleared his throat self-consciously. “I shall miss her. Thank goodness we had this time.”

  “I told Robert the news.” Grace said distributing the drinks.

  “Of course, we will all come to the funeral.” Sir Theo assured. “Just let us know the date and we shall all be there.”

  The funeral. Emma hadn’t thought that far yet. In fact, she was hardly thinking at all listening to Sir Theo’s soothing tones. Unimaginable tasks lay ahead — sorting through mum’s things. Her condo. Thank God for Matthew. She hoped he was okay. He and mum had always been close.

  “I’m sure Matthew will be of great help. He’s a reliable chap.” Sir Theo reassured her.

  The maid appeared at the door. “Sir, a telephone call for you.”

  “Right, right.” He said rising with an effort. “I’ll take it in the study.”

  “How are you holding up?” Grace asked watching her a sip the Sherry.

  “Well enough, I guess.”

  “Another?”

  Emma nodded and Grace refilled her glass. Meanwhile, the maid returned with a tea trolley bearing sandwiches and pastries and a silver tea set. The food looked divine, but Emma’s appetite was gone.

  Grace
poured two cups and pushed one in front of Emma across the coffee table. “I know you don’t want to, but you really must have some food. You’ll need your strength.”

  Grace was right, and she didn’t have the will to argue. And she had come to like the triangle sandwiches.

  “I can’t imagine how this is for you. My mum died when I was much younger than you and I still remember the shock of it when our dad told us.” She nibbled on a sandwich. “Were you with her when it happened?”

  Emma shook her head. “When she didn’t come out of her room this morning, I went to check on her. She was still in bed. The hotel doctor said it was most likely a stroke. Really quick.”

  “Blimey. I’m sorry for you, I really am. That’s just dreadful.”

  “Thanks.”

  “I’ll always remember her as she was on the Weekends, the lady of the manor, poised and in control.” Grace acquired a faraway look. “I’ll never know how she managed to do it all those years, her whole life centered on the manor… and that…”

  “I know. It could have easily been me. What a disaster that would have been for all of us.”

  A silence followed as they imagined that scenario.

  “Well, luckily, it didn’t come to that.” Grace said relieved. “We are free and your mum can rest in peace knowing she has done well by us all.”

  Emma smiled wanly. The question remained, would she rest easy, her daughter’s last act having defied her or would she let her know from beyond?

  “I suppose so.” Was all she could think of to say.

  “Go on, have another.” Grace indicated the sandwich tray. “You look knackered. If you’d rather stay in your room tonight, it’s all right. I’m staying over and if you need me and daddy, we’ll be here.”

  “Thanks. I appreciate you taking me in.”

  “We are family, after all.” She gave her a grin. “Come. I’ll show you to your room.”

  Emma fell to the bed, too tired to sit down gracefully anymore. Her cell phone showed no activity. Her first impulse was still to text John. How much longer would that last, she wondered. The device’s stillness was depressing. Not long ago, its vibrating got on her nerves. Should she tell him? Had things gone differently between them, she would have called him by now. His parents hadn’t touched down yet, and they had no idea what had been happening in the hours since they left for home. Matthew would take care of that while she prepared for her trip back. They would pass the news on to their son and daughter then.

  When was he due to return? In a few days? It looked like the next time she would see him would be at the funeral. A cruel hand twisted her insides remembering the new reality. She hadn’t talked to him yet, but she sensed it. He would not be there for her as he had been before lending a strong shoulder and warm embrace. Matthew would be available for that, and Rachel too would support her. Oh, that promised to be a day she wouldn’t soon forget.

  After a long soak, Emma crawled into a four-poster piled with blankets and burrowed beneath. After a half hour of staring into the fireplace, she retrieved Adam’s book and started to read. Maybe touching the past would help her cope with the future.

  THURSDAY

  ~*~

  The day passed in a blur. For a blissful moment, before opening her eyes, Emma had no recollection of the previous day’s events. In a heartbeat, it all flooded back accompanied with an uncomfortable sensation that shot from her chest to the pit of her stomach as if she were in an airplane that just dropped a few thousand feet. Her mother was dead, and she was waiting for the embassy and whatever mysterious powers-that-be to wrap up so they can be on their way home. Did Matthew find their mother’s Will and her last wishes — burial or cremation? — she could not recall.

  To make sure of sleep, she had later taken one of the pills the doctor had given her. It hadn’t knocked her out, but at least she wasn’t aware of having any dreams, and her mother had not visited her to show signs of displeasure over her antics at the lawyer’s. If she hadn’t been so out of it, the encounter could have been fun, her having one over on him.

  A wry grin twisted her lips at the memory of Mr. Andrews blustering in his three-piece suit, the model of authority and she calling the shots. Her next appointment of the legal variety would not be the same. A vast education awaited her in terms of Everdon matters. Matthew was properly versed on the Stuart side. Thank God, he had been paying attention!

  Adam’s Express Post was on its way. She searched her body for telltale signs of having made a mistake and found none. What would his reaction be when he opened the envelope and read the contents, two documents in all? Maybe she should have enclosed a letter of explanation to soften the impact, despite it being good news. Yes, he would be caught off guard. Who wouldn’t be on discovering their past was not what they and their predecessors had believed it to be? To suddenly discover he was a descendant of one of the wealthy Everdons qualified as a mind-blowing experience. While she was happy for him, would she ever stop blaming herself for her mother’s death?

  She recalled their last time together. Why had they squared off so fiercely? Was it even about the wrong and right of it or was it simply a battle of wills? It wasn’t their first clash. Their relationship had never been easy; Emma not quite measuring up to Elinor’s exacting standards and she defying her mother’s every effort to conform. They were two different people caught in the same circumstances. Remembering it saddened her. The things Elinor had kept from her, like Matthew having been from her father’s first marriage, and the final blow, trying to sell Everdon Manor without disclosing the details, expecting her to sign off obediently not questioning it. That in itself showed Emma how little her mother valued her opinion. And she was sure what Elinor had planned to accomplish by selling the property was illegal. The Trust clearly stipulated the estate was not to be sold without Mason’s heir’s consent. The provision was an attempt to make amends to his son, and any who followed. No one was in a position to disregard it, and in the end, she had been right to speak out, and for that, she had earned her mother’s wrath. Maybe she would have faced consequences either way, not knowing whether Mason Everdon still cared if his wishes were carried out or defied. She already knew what he was capable of. They all did. That reason alone made it a risk not worth taking.

  Emma stretched and hoped it was later than she thought it was. Her cell phone revealed it was closer to lunchtime than breakfast, so there was hope.

  After a while, she got up and crept to the window and pulled back the drapes. Rooftops and patches of blue appeared through the lacework of a leafy crown and a startled sparrow took flight from a nearby branch. How peaceful it looked outside, none of it affected by the turmoil on her side of the glass. She padded to the bathroom to prepare herself for the day remembering to turn on the exhaust fan. Too little too late, Emma.

  Dressed and ready, she stared at the phone. If she didn’t call soon, the package would arrive, and she’d have a lot of questions to answer. Sitting on the bed, she called his number, hoping she wouldn’t have to leave a message.

  “Hello?” He answered on the third ring. “Emma?”

  The background noise of voices talking suggested he was not in his office. She hadn’t thought about what to say to him and found herself tongue-tied at hearing his voice, the predominant tone of it being surprise. She was supposed to be on an airplane jetting across the North Atlantic.

  “Emma, are you there?”

  Say something! “Adam, yes, I’m here. I just…”

  “Are you all right? Is something wrong?” He asked concerned. The background noise faded as if he had moved to a quieter spot.

  “Um… I think so.” How to say that he was about to receive a mind-blowing Express Post?

  “What’s going on? Weren’t you leaving today?”

  “There’s been a change. My mum died yesterday… the night
before. I have to wait until Friday for the paperwork and…”

  “Dear God! I’m so sorry. My deepest condolences! Where are you? What can I do?”

  “I’m at my uncle Theo’s house. I’m fine, mostly. A bit in shock, I guess. It was all so sudden…”

  “I’m so sorry. If there was a way for me to see you, I would. I’m stuck in these confounded meetings for the rest of the day.”

  “It’s okay. That’s not why I called. I just wanted to let you know…”

  A brushing sound came at the other end like him covering the phone and a muted voice murmuring.

  “Emma, forgive me. I must go. Can I ring you later?”

  “Um… sure, I guess.” She replied suddenly unsure of herself, knowing by then he would have gone through the mail.

  “Later then.”

  The call disconnected, and a weariness took hold of her again. Dropping the phone to the bed, she headed downstairs for coffee.

  “Matthew called to say he’s taken care of what he can at his end.” Sir Theo announced. “And all the arrangements are confirmed including your plane tickets. I will accompany you to the airport tomorrow evening.”

  “Thank you for everything, Sir Theo. I really appreciate it.”

  “Think nothing of it, my dear. We are here for each other. Our families have been through so much together.”

  “Yes, we have.”