Fire Maidens Scotland (Billionaires & Bodyguards #6) - Anna Lowe Page 0,86

whisper.

“Because it recognizes you as one of its own,” Lady Montgomery explained. “A true Fire Maiden, descended from the great Queen Liviana.”

When Holly placed the brooch back in the box, the light dimmed. “It’s lovely.”

When she handed the box to Lady Montgomery, the older woman laughed and pushed it back. “It’s yours, my dear. And don’t thank me. Thank Trevor.”

Holly held the box close, just as she’d held the urn — protectively. Respectfully.

Lachlan gazed at the box in wonder. So much coming full circle. Not just for Holly, but for him, too.

Callum Ballantyne raised his bushy eyebrows. “Allow me to pose the same question to you, Miss Jennings. Do you think you’re up to the challenge?”

With her eyes closed, Lachlan was tempted to respond.

Holly gulped, looking from Lachlan to Ava’s gem. Finally, she drew a deep breath and nodded. “All I can do is my best, sir.”

“From what I hear, you’re off to a good start.” Callum winked.

Just then, the doorman stepped in and whispered to Lady Montgomery. She nodded, then gestured toward the door.

“Gentleman, ladies, the solicitor is here. Shall we move on to our final order of business?”

A murmur of approval went through those gathered. Lachlan looked at Holly, who squirmed in her seat, her eyes firmly on the floor.

He grinned. Yet another reason she would make a good Fire Maiden — no interest in acquiring a vast inheritance.

Both doors were flung open, and the solicitor strode in, followed by a number of new arrivals.

“Lachlan,” Natasha called, coming over to peck him on both cheeks. Then her voice dropped and went icy. “Holly.”

Still, she offered her hand politely and even gave Holly a brief hug.

Thank goodness we were right about Natasha, his dragon murmured.

Well, he was right that Natasha hadn’t played a role in the attempts on Holly’s life. But clearly, she still held out hope for some part of the inheritance. And who knew? Lachlan glanced at the document in the solicitor’s hands. Perhaps Trevor had a few more surprises in store.

When the solicitor put on his reading glasses, a hush settled over those gathered.

“‘I, Trevor Stuart, being of sound mind and body, do this day record the second half of my last will and testament…’”

The letter went on in that vein for a while. Then the solicitor slowed down, reaching the main section.

“‘I trust these instructions will only be addressed after I have been properly laid to rest in my homeland.’” He looked up. “Miss Jennings?”

Holly nodded. “Yes, sir. Exactly as Trevor requested. Half the ashes scattered over Gleninnis, and the rest at Creag Aerden.”

Her hand trembled under Lachlan’s, and he gave it a squeeze. Finally, Trevor could rest in peace.

The solicitor went back to the paper. “‘I also trust that the items noted in the first part of my will have been distributed according to my directions. As for the remainder of my estate…’”

The solicitor cleared his throat, making everyone wait.

“‘To each of my tireless housekeepers, Mrs. Killin and Mrs. Baker, I leave a lifetime allowance and the right to reside in their quarters as long as they desire.’”

Natasha rolled her eyes, but Lachlan made a mental note. Someday, he would pen a will too, and he would certainly use Trevor’s as a model.

Hopefully, we’ll leave our inheritance without all the mystery, his dragon said. And we’ll leave many more heirs.

He pictured himself ten years in the future with Holly, a couple of kids, and a dog. A deerhound, to be precise. He grinned.

The solicitor’s eyes dropped to the last part of the will. “‘Earlier, I noted that I leave Miss Holly Jennings nothing, as per her own request.’”

Natasha perked up.

“‘However, family tradition dictates that the Stuart holdings remain united and passed to the next generation as a whole. Therefore, I leave those holdings to my granddaughter. I will not be so presumptuous as to call her Holly Stuart, though in my heart, that is her name.’”

Holly had to have seen that coming, but she still put a hand over her mouth and froze. Then she shook her head, whispering, “I told him I didn’t want anything. I don’t need anything.”

Lady Montgomery smiled. “I believe that is why he left it to you, my dear.”

“If you don’t want it…” Natasha started, then trailed off as three of the nearest unicorns glared. “Just joking,” she mumbled.

Lachlan motioned to the solicitor, praying that was all. “Anything else?”

The solicitor went back to the will, quickly reading the last few lines aloud. Most were summarizing statements in thick legalese,