The Everdon Series- the Complete Set

by L C Kincaide

  Rachel retired to bed early in the evening; the late stage of her pregnancy had left her tired though she looked terrific — like a dark-haired Raphael Madonna if without a babe in arms yet. After a while, she too went up to the room they considered hers now and prepared for bed.

  She recalled the conversation between mum and Frances Ruskin that horrible night of the wedding reception when she found herself inadvertently eavesdropping on their chat. Mum said she was looking forward to the day, and it saddened her that Elinor would never experience being a grandmother. She would have liked to have seen her softer side. And what of her? Would mum approve of her taking an interest in the family business ventures? She hoped so. The whole point was to leave the past behind and become involved in something important and maybe learning about her investments and holdings and the Trust would move her closer to that goal. Already, she pitied the lawyers and financial advisors tasked with her education of all things legal and commercial. It promised to be dry and dull, not unlike her earlier study of the English Everdon Trust, but considerably more complicated. And it was starting in a matter of hours. Emma closed her eyes against the dark. If she didn’t learn to sleep again soon, it would be a hell of a day in a downtown office tower.

  CHAPTER 3

  ~*~

  She sat stiffly in the chair, the only leather making contact with her today. She had opted for a more professional mode of dress in a cerulean blue summer crepe suit. She hoped to make a better impression than the one she made on her last venture when she barged into Mr. Andrews’ office attired in shocking pink leather and weighed down with bags. She suppressed a cringe at the memory. Though she’d never have to deal with the English lawyer again, this group would remain in her future as long as the Trust was intact and the investments continued to be viable.

  “We have received the documentation from England. Everything seems to be in order.” He looked up. “That was an extremely generous gesture on your part.” He said referring to the Deed and Trust transfer of Everdon Manor. Did she detect a hint of disapproval?

  “It was the right thing to do.” She said her eyes steady on his.

  “You are a young woman of principles, an admirable trait.” He said surprising her. “You will find the Everdon Trust under our administration is not dissimilar in certain regards.”

  Emma nodded hoping to look more knowledgeable than she felt.

  “May I offer you coffee or tea before we proceed?”

  “No, thank you.” The sooner she started her education the better. Her nerves would not benefit from more caffeine.

  “Very well.” He said rising from his high-backed throne-like chair, aware of the impression he made. He was, after all King of this particular domain, a position he had earned. “Let us proceed.” He spoke into the phone letting the others know they were on their way to the boardroom.

  Emma rose too, and together they followed the secretary down the hushed corridor. Several employees, both male and female acknowledged them with pleasant professional smiles as they passed.

  “How was your first day at school?” Rachel enquired when Emma returned home.

  “If they were still handing out dunce caps, I’d have one with my name.“ She dropped into the nearest armchair.

  Rachel winced. “That bad?”

  “I’m sure it’s only the jargon. Lawyers forget that we civilians don’t speak their language.” Matthew offered.

  “You can say that again. How did mum manage all those years?”

  “She learned and you will too.” He said.

  “Thanks for the vote of confidence. Maybe I should enroll in some business classes. I had a feeling it would be overwhelming.”

  Rachel squeezed her hand. “It’s only your first day. Don’t you think you’re being a little hard on yourself?”

  “Rachel’s right. Ease into it. You don’t have to impress anyone. I’m sure you being there showing interest is enough.”

  Emma chortled. “Maybe for now, but some of them will be growing horns trying to make me understand.”

  “I can help you with some of it.”

  “Thanks. I might take you up on it.”

  “So, what are they like?”

  “Old-school business types. Distinguished-looking guys, all of them barbered and polished down to their Berluti loafers with suits to match. Otherwise, pleasant enough. I must be a shock to them after having dealt with mum. She was smart and knew what to do. By the end of the week, they’ll wish I’d stayed away.”

  “You’re smart too and don’t worry. In a couple of days, you’ll get the hang of it and your confidence will soar.”

  She raised a quizzical eyebrow. “I sure hope so.”

  “Then we’ll start on the other things.” Matthew said.

  Yes, the other things like mum’s belongings, her condo, car. Oh, God. How would she get through all that?

  “Of course if you’re not ready, we can wait. I just thought it would be better to do it sooner than later.”

  “You’re right. Left up to me it would take a year. Making decisions isn’t one of my strengths.”

  “These are especially hard, but you’re not alone. We’ll go through it together. Have you thought about the condo?”

  “Not really.”

  “If you don’t want to live there, you can rent it. It will be snapped up the same day, I’m sure.”

  “Yeah.” Emma tried to imagine a stranger living in mum’s space and could not.

  “We don’t have to do it all in one day, Matt.”

  “No, we don’t.” He agreed. “So, who’s hungry because I’m starved.”

  “You don’t have to ask me twice!” Rachel laughed as he pulled her out of her chair.

  “I’m firing up the grill. Who’s up for a steak?”

  “Me!” Emma called her cheerfulness returning.

  Back to herself after a satisfying BBQ dinner and red wine, Emma and Rachel reclined in the patio chairs. The garden was just entering its growing period and was already fragrant with the first of the summer blooms. She inhaled the fresh green scent of the grass and budding lilacs.

  “I love this time of the evening.” Rachel said beside her sipping on her water with lemon.

  “Me too. It’s so peaceful. Makes me forget everything else.”

  They listened to the crickets chirping in the flowerbeds.

  “It’s going to be okay. You’re going to be okay.” Rachel spoke quietly.

  Emma contemplated the long shadows stretching across the garden. The last of the golden light was fading and already the early stars were twinkling above.

  “I know.” She said not entirely sure of that. Her life had been spent dwelling on the past with little thought to the future. That was another subject Elinor had addressed during their last moments together and it seemed highly unlikely she would ever make her mother proud though not for lack of trying. Maybe that was the whole point of learning about the business and all that entailed. In the end, it could all be wasted effort. The team of professionals would continue to manage very well without her input.

  “Have you heard from him?” Rachel asked.

  “No. He’s probably in Japan by now.”

  “No, not him. I meant Adam.”

  Emma turned her head. “No. He has no reason to call me.”

  “Uh-huh.” She said grinning.

  “What’s he going to do — ask me out for dinner? A movie? It takes seven hours just to get here.”

  “And if he did — hypothetically speaking — would you?”

  “Well, that depends on the restaurant and the movies playing.”

  “Nice try, Miss nonchalant!” Rachel laughed. “It wouldn’t surprise me at all if he were to show up on your doorstep and sweep you off your feet.”

 
“Well, that would be your doorstep and he only sent flowers. I’ve just been to a funeral and he knew I was bummed out. That’s all.”

  “Okay, have it your way…”

  “So, what is this? Are your senses heightened these days?”

  “Could be. I have a feeling and for once, it isn’t coming from my stomach or lower back.”

  “Even if you’re right, and I’m not saying you are, it would be impossible. He has his life there, his manor, friends, career, everything, and he won’t leave all of that. And, more importantly, I have you and the little one here, so I’m not going anywhere either.” She said with finality.

  “Life will find a way. It always does.”

  “With me, it could go either way. I have a track record, you know.”

  “Whatever happens, it will be good, I’m sure.”

  “Thanks for that. Is your mother coming this week or the next?”

  “Friday. She can’t wait. We’re going to be eating a lot of Hungarian food. I hope you like paprika.”

  “As long as I don’t have to cook it, I’m sure it will be great.”

  CHAPTER 4

  ~*~

  By midweek, Emma was making progress, depending on which of the buttoned-up professionals she asked, but her confidence had not much improved. While she understood the basic concepts of assets class and dividend yield, the graphs and charts boggled her mind. Nothing had prepared her for such things, and she had to wonder how long it had taken her mother to become comfortable with all this. Again, she berated herself for having shown no interest earlier and being overwhelmed now as a result. At this rate, it wouldn’t be long before the suits were fed up with her and suggested strongly, but politely, that she should leave the business dealings alone.

  Movement diverted her attention from the files and she glanced up to find a young man standing in the doorway. Unlike the other males she had become acquainted with the past couple of days, he was neither barbered nor attired in an expensive suit. In fact, his hair curled in abandon just skimming his shirt collar, and his jeans and loafers looked comfortable and well-worn. Two pens poked out of the breast pocket of a blazer that didn’t appear to go with the rest of his attire. If he was lost, which seemed to be the most likely explanation for his presence, he was out of luck.

  “Hi.” He said cheerfully, a smile producing dimples in his cheeks. Suddenly he appeared even younger than Emma first thought. “I’m Graham Morrow, but everyone calls me Gray.” He approached her with his hand outstretched. “You’re Emma Stuart?”

  He took her hand in a surprisingly firm grip. “Hi, and yes, it’s Emma. Are you related to Mr. Morrow?” Of course he had to be, but she couldn’t imagine how.

  Before Gray could respond, Mr. Morrow entered the office.

  “Good. I see you found Miss Stuart.”

  “We were just getting acquainted.” Gray said.

  The older man stepped further in. “Graham is my grandson, Graham Morrow, the Third, in fact.” He turned and gave Gray an affectionate smile. “I thought you would find a young person nearer to your own age more… relatable.”

  She smiled politely, her fears of them having grown weary of her ignorance confirmed.

  “Don’t let his casual appearance misguide you, Emma.” He continued. “Graham may be our youngest member, but he is by no means any less qualified. He is a graduate from Rutgers with a Masters degree in financial analysis, a joint Masters in international business…”

  Emma gaped at him as he listed his grandson’s impressive academic achievements peppering the degrees with titles like LLM and SJD, which sounded impressive even if she didn’t know what the letters represented. And the kid was what — twenty-three tops? The young man stood by, a bemused grin on his face as if he had gone through this many times before, appearing neither embarrassed nor arrogant. She found that she liked him.

  “Yes,” Graham Morrow, Senior said, “he is a prodigy and we are all extremely proud and fortunate to have him with us.”

  “I can see why.”

  “Excellent. Then I will leave you two to get better acquainted.” He left them alone.

  Gray shrugged. “He always does that. The truth is, I enjoy numbers. It all comes naturally to me.”

  “Unfortunately, none of that comes to me easily. I was just thinking that I should pack it in.”

  “Don’t do that. It’s really not as complicated as it seems.” He shrugged out of the jacket and pulled out a chair beside her. ”Let’s start with these and then we’ll progress to the rest. By the end of the day, it will all make sense.”

  “You seem very sure of yourself.” Emma grinned at him.

  “I am. It’s a matter of practice. Right now, everything’s unfamiliar, but it fits together. You’ll see.”

  He arranged the folders in a sequence and pulled one closer and opened it, confident of his skill in educating a novice. He glanced at her with an encouraging grin and in that moment, he reminded her of someone.

  Besides Elinor’s involvement in overseeing the Everdon financial aspects, Emma was surprised to discover that her mother had also played a role in several charities, though she had never mentioned it. Given her situation with the manor and the mayhem Mason Everdon had left them all to deal with, her participation had been discreet, drawing little or no attention to herself. Like the rest of the family, she had lived in relative obscurity, which was the only reason they had avoided a media scandal when Ivy had gone missing.

  Commercial transactions were no motive for the disappearance of an ordinary woman though public opinion could have easily damned them all, despite them never having been suspected of a crime. There were things she would take to her grave as her mother before her. Not that anyone would believe a word of it if she were to share her experiences.

  She had done that once, but the circumstances were different then. An ancestor’s actions had already impacted Adam though he had been unaware. Reluctantly, she told him some of her own history and her newfound abilities, and he had believed her. It happened not that long ago, but it seemed longer. She wondered how much progress Miss Walsh had made in garnering his attention.

  Her heart beat quicker remembering their last moments together; he arriving breathless at the airport, their kiss that had left her light-headed, and the way he regarded her when she glanced over her shoulder before boarding the plane. She had done well not thinking about him, despite his roses wilting in the vase. They should have been tossed out now that their heads drooped and more petals lay scattered on the surface of her dresser. One of the hardier blooms was drying aside. She may have been trying hard to preserve the bouquet with frequent water changes and aspirin, but a long-distance relationship would not endure any better. Experience had taught her as much.

  There was no point in daydreaming, hoping nor wishing, even if he were to call. Why should she get herself worked up only to crash? No one could build a future on dreams and wishes, no matter what those videos with the new-age soundtrack and misty images promised. No, life was graphs and charts and dealing with stuff her mother had left behind, and finding her own way through all of that.

  “Was I able to help?” Gray’s voice cut into her musings.

  “Actually, more than you think. I’ll never understand it fully, but at least I have a descent overview.”

  “Good. I’m glad. I can imagine how overwhelming it must be for you.”

  “It is. My mother took care of everything. Did you know her?”

  “Not very well — I haven’t been here that long, but I met her once or twice. She was a nice lady.”

  Emma looked away suddenly caught by emotion.

  “I’m sorry for your loss.” He said.

  “Thanks. It’s nice to know they all liked her.” She closed the folder in front of her. “Do you want to grab lunch?”
>
  “Sure.”

  The server greeted Gray with a smile and they followed her to a shaded table on the outdoor patio.

  “The usual?”

  “Yes, with iced tea. Emma?”

  “What’s the usual?”

  “Cobb salad, but without the bacon. I’m a vegetarian.”

  “Sounds great. I’ll have the same with bacon.”

  Taking their order, the waitress left.

  “Do you come here often?”

  “Sometimes when the weather’s good or someone else comes out. I usually eat lunch at my desk if I remember.”

  “You must be super-focused on your work.”

  “So I’ve been told.” He grinned. “I love what I do and it doesn’t seem like I’m working.”

  “I know somebody who has a similar attitude.” She smiled. “Do you like music?”

  “Sure.”

  “Classical music? Piano?”

  “I do. In fact, I have a collection of CDs, Debussy, Grieg and I especially enjoy Shostakovich.”

  “So, when did your parents realize you were a prodigy?”

  “Hmm. I don’t remember exactly, but I think I went through all my mom’s kitchen drawers when I was three and took inventory using a spreadsheet I drew with a crayon. My mom had it framed.”

  “They must be very proud of you. I know your grandfather is.”

  He grinned and tucked a loose curl behind his ear.

  The server returned with their order.

  “To a successful day.” Emma raised her glass of lemonade.

  He clinked his glass against hers. “And many more.”