in the will as it stands. Half a loaf now, she says. Hardly half, I say. Surely you are not satisfied with what my brother did.”
“It is half a loaf, but worthless with the other half of the company going to someone who is ignorant. We will be bankrupt within two years, is my guess. If he had left that to my father, or one of the cousins—”
“I am speaking of the money, not that company.” A deep sigh. “That is the problem when men engage in trade. It becomes all they can think of. If we challenge the will and win, you will have enough to start ten companies if you want. Keep your eye on the main prize, Kevin.”
Silence chilled Minerva’s back. She made it a point to have difficulty lighting the fuel.
“Aunt Dolores, you may think of it as trade. I think of it as science, applied to the benefit of progress.”
“Yes, yes. All well and good. You still need an old-fashioned legacy, just like the rest of us. Where is your father, by the way? The brothers should be here. I know they were informed.”
“My father told me that Uncle Frederick had long ago informed his brothers that the portion they received from their mother, and the allowances over the years, had compensated his generation sufficiently.”
“Did he indeed? What nonsense. I trust he did not include Agnes and me in that assessment. It is different with unmarried sisters.”
“Perhaps you should ask my father directly for Uncle Frederick’s view of that.”
“I would, except he isn’t here.”
“He is in town. You could call on him and be back in time for the solicitor’s arrival.”
“I am asking you, Kevin. Stop being difficult.”
“The duke did include you and Aunt Agnes. He believed you both could have married but did not because your allowances were so handsome you considered marriage a step down. To his mind, you also had—how did my father say the duke put it?—fed at the trough long enough.”
“Fed at the—how dare they! He and Frederick were always too clever by half, and conceited about it as well. Two strange peas in a very odd pod.”
“You are talking to another strange pea. Now I must bid you good day. I will not be at any family meetings today, other than that with the solicitor. You should seek your allies elsewhere. Cousin Walter, for example. Or young Phillip. The latter is so far into dun territory that he will probably take any bribe you offer.”
As soon as the door closed, Dolores took to mumbling and sputtering. “Rude boy. Always was. Too proud for what little he is and has. Another one stepping down, like Chase. The humiliation of it is not to be borne. Girl! Fix this curl! I told you how to do it twice. Nicholas has us living like barbarians here, with such poor excuses for servants and—”
Minerva stood, grabbed her basket, and slipped away while the woman complained.
Hoping to learn more about Walter, she tended to that chamber next. Unfortunately, both he and his wife were not there. Minerva eyed the wardrobe and dressing table. It would be too risky to pry into either. Nor did she think there would be anything to find. She swallowed her curiosity, dealt with the fireplace, then moved on.
A half hour later she descended to the cellar and set her basket in its place. She visited the kitchen next.
“There’s washing to do,” the cook said, jabbing her thumb to the back of the house. “Was told to send anyone there who was not busy, and that appears to be you.”
Minerva was elbow deep in soap water when the laundry door opened. Chase entered.
“How did you find me?” she said while she used the board to scrub a linen sheet.
“You said you help in the kitchen after your morning duties. I asked Mrs. Fowler, the cook, where you were.”
His arrival raised her spirits, which had fallen considerably upon entering this chamber. “Do you want something?”
A slow smile formed. “Not at all, except reassurance my young cousin does not still pursue you.”
Her femininity longed to hear other words. Yes, your company, your kiss, your desire.
What was wrong with her? “He has been invisible thus far today. Did you warn him off?”
“I promised to thrash him if he tried that again, with anyone here. I had rather counted on having an excuse to do so. A few thrashings would do him good.”
“Perhaps I should reconsider his place on my list of potential good