by Linda Sole
‘Of course it isn’t Emily’s fault,’ Alice said when Daniel got home. ‘She is busy, just as we are. Frances could have told us she was ill. It wouldn’t have been easy, but you would have got there somehow if you’d known.’
‘Perhaps she wasn’t expecting it to happen so suddenly,’ Daniel said. ‘Do you want to come with me, Alice? I called in to see Mary. She says she won’t go for the funeral, but she will have some of the children if you want to come.’
‘Not this time,’ Alice told him. ‘You’ll travel easier and faster alone and Emily needs you. I should like to visit her during the school holidays and take all the children. Send her my love and tell her not to blame herself.’
‘I’m afraid she does,’ Daniel said and went to put his arms about her. ‘You will be all right here on your own? Shall I ask Mary to come and stop?’
‘How can I be alone with five children?’ Alice smiled and kissed him. ‘You get off and don’t worry about me, Dan.’
‘I’m going to pack my things . . .’ He laughed as he saw his wife’s face. ‘You’ve done it for me. I might have known you would. I’ll send you a telegram when I get there.’
‘No, just a postcard after the funeral. I hate telegrams. We should have a telephone put in, Daniel.’
‘We will,’ he promised. ‘I’m going to get off straight away, because Emily wants to go down to the hotel tomorrow.’
‘You said the funeral is on Monday?’
‘Yes. I think Emily wants to confront Clay – and she needs me with her.’
‘Don’t get involved in another feud, Dan. It isn’t worth it. You’ve been at odds with Clay for years.’
‘I shall keep out of it if I can – but I have to support Emily. She wants to know what has been going on.’
‘Are you sure you won’t come with us?’ Daniel asked his brother. ‘I know you didn’t always get on with Frances, but she is your sister.’
‘Sarah has been through enough recently,’ Connor told him. ‘I’m sorry Frances was so ill and sorry that she died like that, but going to her funeral won’t change things. I hadn’t seen her for years. I rang her a couple of times but then she started refusing my calls . . .’
‘She did it to Emily too,’ Daniel said and frowned. ‘I think she was too ill to know what she was doing. Emily thinks Clay had something to do with it, but I would be inclined to think Frances gave orders she wasn’t to be disturbed.’
‘Perhaps,’ Connor agreed. ‘I am surprised she even had him to stay, because she was bitter about what he did . . . but if her mind had started to play tricks on her . . .’
Daniel nodded. ‘It doesn’t bear thinking about, does it? I’ll get off then, because I know Emily wants to get there and hear what Clay has to say for himself.’
‘Emily has told us we can have the wedding here and I think we may. Sarah says she would rather it was here – we’re planning a few weeks after her mother’s funeral.’
‘That might work out well. Alice wants to come and stay during the school holidays. She is looking forward to your wedding.’
‘Yeah? So am I.’
‘You are still here, then?’ Emily gave her elder brother a look of dislike as they met in Frances’s private sitting room. She had never forgiven him for all the trouble he had caused during the war. ‘It’s just as well, because I want to know what has been going on here.’
Clay Searles met her furious gaze without blinking. He was a tall man who had been as good-looking as his brothers when he was young but had thickened and coarsened over the years. There were streaks of grey at his temples and red veins with purple patches in his cheeks.
‘I visited Frances just after Christmas. She asked me to bring Dorothy down for a few days, which I did a week or so ago. Frances wasn’t well. She hadn’t been well for some months. She had terrible headaches and sometimes she was depressed – black moods that took her over. Tara Manners will tell you that sometimes she shut herself up all day and said she didn’t want any calls put through.’
‘If you knew she wasn’t right when you visited the first time, why didn’t you tell me?’
‘Frances didn’t tell me it was serious. I discovered that for myself when her doctor rang and I answered. She had missed two hospital appointments for treatment.’
‘She was having treatment?’
‘She was due to have a course of treatment that can be unpleasant. Maybe she didn’t fancy going through all that trauma.’
‘Frances hated hospitals,’ Daniel said. ‘It’s a pity you didn’t tell us, Clay.’
‘Frances said she had asked you to stay repeatedly but you kept making excuses. If she didn’t feel like telling you, that was her business.’
‘You could still have given us some idea,’ Emily said. ‘What have you been up to? When did Frances ask you to see to the arrangements for her funeral?’
‘It was in a letter in her desk.’
‘You’ve been through her desk?’ Emily glared at him. ‘What else did you find?’
‘A copy of her will, if that is what you want to know,’ Clay said.
‘Was there anything else?’ Daniel asked.
‘Like what?’ Clay’s gaze narrowed.
‘Letters. I thought she might have left a letter for Emily or me.’
‘No, just the letter asking me to see to the arrangements. I’m her next of kin – and that is what it says on the envelope.’
‘She probably thought that was you, Dan,’ Emily said. ‘If her mind was muddled, she wouldn’t have been able to think clearly.’
‘Well, whatever she thought when she wrote the letter, I’m the eldest and that makes me the one she wanted to see to things for her.’
Emily walked towards the desk and opened the drawers, looking through them. She found some receipts and a few Christmas cards but nothing else.
‘Where is the will, then? What have you done with it?’
Clay hesitated, and then his hand went to his breast pocket. ‘You’re not going to like it – but don’t blame me.’
Emily took the will and read it through. She was frowning as she turned the page and then she gave an exclamation of disgust.
‘I don’t believe it. Frances would never have done this – unless you had a hand in it.’ Her eyes were accusing as she looked at Clay. ‘How did you get her to change her will? This was made just after Christmas. I know it wasn’t what Frances originally intended, because she more or less told me what was in it. She had left most of it to me and Dan, with a few thousand pounds to Connor and a bit for Mary.’
‘It was all Frances’s idea,’ Clay said, his face stony. ‘I know you think I’m a cheat and a liar, but I didn’t guide her hand. She told me that she was convinced none of you cared for her. I knew she was going to make a new will but I had no idea what was in it.’
Emily passed the document to Daniel. He read through it and gave a snort of disbelief. ‘Five thousand each to Emily, Connor and me – and three thousand pounds for Mary. “The rest goes to my next of kin, Clay Searles . . .”’
‘Frances would never have left everything to you, Clay,’ Emily said. ‘She must have nearly a half a million in property and shares. She was so bitter about what you did. I know you’ve done this! I don’t know how, but you persuaded her or forged it . . .’
‘That is a damned lie! Frances was upset because you wouldn’t visit her. Don’t blame me. She was ill but she did it off her own bat.’
‘At least we know why you didn’t let us know she was ill,’ Daniel said. ‘You wanted to make sure we didn’t come down here and queer your pitch. She might have changed it back again if we had.’
‘You won’t get away with this,’ Emily said. ‘She wasn’t fit to make a new will in her state of mind. We shall take this to court and fight you every step of the way.’
‘You can try,’ Clay said with a sneer. ‘It may cost you a packet – and I don’t think you will enjoy the publicity.’
‘I don’t care what people thi
nk. I’m not going to let you get away with this!’
‘You can speak to the lawyers on Monday,’ Clay said. ‘I’ve got things to do. Please make yourself at home. I’ve given instructions that you both have a room with a bath.’
‘He thinks he owns the place already!’ Emily burst out as her eldest brother left the room. ‘He can’t get away with this, Dan. Frances would never rest if she knew.’
‘Maybe she forgave him,’ Daniel said. ‘If he came when she needed someone – and we weren’t around. She forgave me for not being there when she needed me after Marcus died, so maybe she forgave him.’
‘You don’t really believe that?’
‘What I believe doesn’t make much difference. If the will is properly witnessed and signed, we could waste a lot of money trying to overturn it. We might get a fair hearing, but on the other hand we could look as if we are greedy relatives who didn’t bother about Frances and are squabbling over the money now she’s dead.’
‘Dan!’ Emily sat down, her face white. ‘It isn’t like that – you know it isn’t. I’m angry that Clay should get all the money. You could do with some of it, don’t tell me you couldn’t.’
‘Five thousand pounds is a nice sum for me,’ Daniel said. ‘I won’t deny that I would have liked more – but I can’t afford to go to court over this, Emily. I borrowed two thousand pounds from Frances. I thought the paper might be in her desk.’
‘She probably tore it up while she could still think straight,’ Emily said bitterly. ‘If it was there, Clay would be asking for the money already. He hadn’t seen it or he would say.’
‘Don’t be bitter,’ Daniel said. ‘I know you need funds for Vanbrough, but Frances was entitled to do what she pleased with her own money – besides, most of it was dirty money. I don’t particularly want it.’
Emily sighed. ‘It isn’t really the money itself. Alan left me several thousand pounds in his will. I’m not desperate – but I am sure Frances didn’t know what she was doing when she signed that paper.’
‘You can’t know that,’ Daniel said. ‘She might have done it in a fit of temper.’
‘She wouldn’t have wanted him to have her money. He wasn’t in the original will at all.’
‘Well, speak to the lawyer after the funeral,’ Daniel said. ‘If he thinks you’ve got a good case, you can have a go – but be careful. You know what Clay is like. He would fight you every step of the way. You would probably see most of the money go in court fees . . .’
‘And Mary could do with her share,’ Emily said. ‘It was a clever touch leaving us all something . . . I know Clay did this, Dan. I don’t know how he talked her into it, but I know he did.’
‘I couldn’t give a damn about the money,’ Connor said when Daniel told him about the will three days later. ‘I’m sorry you and Emily didn’t get more. You can have my share and welcome.’
‘I’m already in your debt,’ Daniel told him. ‘Five thousand in the bank will help me get the garage started, Con. I could have started anyway, but it will be a help to know I’ve got something extra.’
‘Emily isn’t going to take it to the courts, is she?’
‘No. She calmed down after she thought about it. I think she agrees that the money came from a bad source. Money like that brings no one any luck. Clay is welcome to it. He is the loser in this.’
‘What do you mean?’
‘No one in the family will have anything to do with him in future. It seems money is his god, so I hope he is happy. Dorothy told me she is leaving him. She knows what he did – though she wouldn’t tell me – and I think she is using her knowledge to get her freedom. He is giving her a house and some money – and he wouldn’t do that unless she had something over him.’
‘Well, I have some good news,’ Connor said. ‘My last two singles have been released and one of them has gone straight to the top of the charts!’
‘You’re number one?’
‘Yes, I can hardly believe it, but it seems the stuff in the papers was good publicity in the end. The record sold out and they had to reissue. It may even go platinum. Moon Records want me back on their books, but I shan’t sign with them again.’
‘One of the big companies?’
‘Maybe. I haven’t discussed it with Sarah yet. I’ve got an idea but I need to talk to Sarah and Emily first . . .’
‘That is fantastic news,’ Emily said when Connor told her later that evening. ‘What does Sarah think?’
‘She doesn’t mind if go back to recording but she doesn’t want me to go on the road, and I shan’t.’ He hesitated. ‘I’m thinking of starting my own label. I might make some records myself, but I’d like to give some other groups a start – and I know a group I could use on my own records. They could do with a break . . .’
‘Do you think you could make a success of it?’
‘I’ve talked to some people I know and they think it might work – but I need somewhere to set up a recording studio . . .’
‘And you thought this might be a good place?’
‘If I could use a part of the West Wing . . . I know it is a lot to ask, but I’d be here most of the time and Sarah is keen to live here.’
‘I would be happy for you to make your home here, and I think your idea is wonderful.’
‘I’ll pay you rent, of course, and if the label is successful, I’ll give you a share of the profits.’ Connor grinned. ‘We’ll be a family business, Emily.’
‘Yes, a family together,’ Emily said. ‘Dan is bringing Alice and the children for the wedding and I have a feeling they will be visiting more often in future.’
‘Sarah told me she would like to help you with your charity work.’
‘A family firm . . .’ Emily smiled and suddenly the shadows were lifting. ‘It is what Vane hoped for, I am sure. He wanted to keep the old traditions but move forward into the future. This is exactly the way forward. The artists who come to record with you can stay in the hotel, and the people who visit the gardens will have an added interest if they see a few famous faces arriving.’
‘I know it is going to work out for us all,’ Connor told her. ‘You don’t really care about Frances’s money – do you?’
Emily shook her head. ‘I was so angry when I knew what had happened. Frances wouldn’t have done it if she hadn’t been ill, but Dan is right. If we go to court to contest it, we’re the ones who look greedy. He would come out of it smelling of roses, because no one who didn’t know about things that happened in the past would understand why I know my sister wouldn’t have wanted Clay to have her money – but I don’t care. I just wish she was still here. I didn’t see her much but I am going to miss her.’
‘Yes, of course you will. We all wish she was still here.’
‘Love is more important than money.’
‘Dan says it is dirty money. It didn’t bring Frances much luck, did it?’
‘No.’ Emily looked thoughtful. ‘If she hadn’t had that money, she might have come to live with me. Dan is right, as always. It is dirty money. Clay is welcome to it.’
‘Clay is a loser, despite all his money,’ Connor told her. ‘Everyone loves you, Emily. Daniel has his family; they take all his time and he works all hours for them, but he has the important things – and so do I now Sarah is going to marry me.’
‘You are leaving tomorrow for the funeral?’
‘In the morning. We shall come straight back and start planning the wedding and the future.’
‘Take care of yourselves, then,’ Emily said and kissed him. He hugged her back. ‘Go and find Sarah. Tell her I shall be delighted if she wants to help me with the charity work.’
After Connor had gone in search of his fiancée, Emily stood looking out at the view. It was all so beautiful and she had been right to keep her promise. For a while she had felt trapped, worn out by the constant need for more money, but the feeling had gone now. All the plans she and Connor were making for the future would ensure that she could afford to keep
the house and estate running. She would be able to pass Robert’s inheritance on without selling land or treasures from the house.
The hurt of Frances’s death was beginning to ease. She would always regret that her sister hadn’t come to her – hadn’t told her she was dying – but it had been Frances’s choice.
‘At least you’re at peace now, love,’ she said softly.
‘You are at peace too, Emily, my love.’
Emily turned. For a moment she felt his presence, wrapping her about with loving arms.
‘Vane,’ she said. She went to gaze up at his portrait. ‘Vane, it is all going to be wonderful.’
‘Yes, of course it is. I always knew it would be.’
For the briefest moment she heard his laughter.
‘I am certainly mad,’ she said and laughed. She felt as if she had shed years in an instant. The future held a shining promise. It was up to her and her family to make of it what they would . . .
