When he caught the solicitor staring at him, Daniel raised an eyebrow. “I am David’s brother, Daniel Fitzwilliam,” he said as he held out his right hand.
“Oh, forgive me, Mr. Fitzwilliam,” the solicitor said with a sudden exhalation of breath. “For a moment there, I thought I was seeing a ghost,” he said in awe as he shook Daniel’s hand. He returned his attention to the documents he was arranging on the desk. “Given Lord Norwick’s visit to our office just moments before his untimely death, I have had to pull together his last wishes at the last minute.” The man’s comment caught everyone by surprise.
“Excuse me, but what did you just say?” Clarinda managed to get out, her face displaying her shock. “When he said he was off to see his solicitor, I didn’t realize he meant you,” she whispered, remembering what David had told her the morning he’d come to the parlor and bid her farewell with his elaborate dip and kiss.
Mr. Hammond frowned. “If he visited another solicitor, he did not make it known to anyone in our office,” the balding man replied. He settled himself into the overstuffed leather chair behind the desk and went to a good deal of trouble to put on a pair of spectacles, wrapping the gold wires around each ear and then settling the arched wife between the thick lenses on the end of his nose. He regarded the three family members seated before him. “Shall I begin?”
Daniel, seated between his mother and Clarinda, shrugged. “Please do.”
The solicitor took a deep breath and picked up the first piece of parchment he had laid before him. “Lord Norwick’s last will and testament is dated four days ago. From the comments he made during our meeting, he knew he was destined to die and wanted to be sure arrangements were in place for his loved ones.”
This time, Clarinda’s gasp was very audible, as were Daniel’s and Dorothea’s. “Destined to die?” Clarinda repeated in a hoarse whisper. “How could he know he was going to die of a broken neck in a traffic accident?” she breathed, her thoughts spinning out of control.
Mr. Hammond merely shrugged. “I do not believe he knew he was going to die that afternoon, Lady Norwick. He just knew he would eventually. As we all do,” he added with a cocked eyebrow, his manner suggesting he had accepted his own fate as a man who would die at some point.
“Oh,” Clarinda managed to get out, somewhat embarrassed at her outburst. “Please, go on,” she said, hoping her mother-in-law wasn’t sending her dagger-filled stares.
“Just because death is inevitable does not mean you need to take such a tone with my daughter-in-law,” Dorothea countered, her rebuke so surprising that Clarinda made another audible gasp. What had happened to upset Lady Norwick so?
“Pardon me, Lady Norwick,” the solicitor said, holding a flat hand against his chest as he seemed to bow in his seat. “I tend to indifference in these proceedings as a means to keep the tone professional and not .. emotional,” he explained. “I will endeavor to be more sympathetic to the widow’s situation.”
Daniel sighed. “Please proceed, Mr. Hammond,” he encouraged, placing one hand over one of his mother’s and another over one of Clarinda’s.
“Of course, Mr. Fitzwilliam.” The man took a deep breath. “As there is no heir apparent, the earldom would normally pass to the heir presumptive, Daniel Jonathan Andrew Fitzwilliam, however, Lord Norwick stated that Lady Norwick was with child at the time of his visit to our offices. Is this still the case?” he wondered, pulling his spectacles down a bit so he could peer over the top of them.
“Yes, it is,” Clarinda replied, leaning forward a bit, wondering how quickly the news was spreading across London given Grandby’s earlier comment to the bishop.
She didn’t add that she was carrying twins.
“Then Daniel Alexander George Fitzwilliam may or may not be the next Earl of Norwick. We shall have to wait until you’ve given birth. At such time, the earldom will either pass to your son, should you have one, or, if not, to Daniel Jonathan Andrew Fitzwilliam. Entailed properties will remain with the earldom,” the solicitor stated, apparently reading from the parchment he held up. “These include Norwick Park and all of its lands and tenant cottages, a house and various other support buildings on said property; Norwick House along with its carriage house and stables; and a dowager cottage in Bognor. The unentailed properties having belonged to David Alexander George Fitzwilliam pass to Daniel Jonathan Andrew Fitzwilliam and include a townhouse in Mayfair currently under lease to Lord Pettigrew for use by his mistress ...”
The solicitor didn’t seem the least bit embarrassed by the mention of a townhouse leased for use by a mistress, but Clarinda had to suppress a shudder. She wondered if Lady Pettigrew knew of her husband’s arrangement with a mistress and then wondered if perhaps Lady Pettigrew had urged her husband to take a mistress. Some women in the ton didn’t like sharing a bed with their husbands – ever –, she remembered, feeling gratified that she and David’s love match had probably started in the marriage bed. Clarinda had to shake herself from her reverie as she realized Mr. Hammond was continuing his recitation.. “...Several additional tenant cottages and two other properties in south Sussex.” He looked up at the two women before him. “The widow is to continue living at Norwick House, the mother is to continue residing in the cottage in Bognor, and it is recommended Mr. Fitzwilliam give up his apartments in Bruton Street and make his primary residence at Norwick House to better facilitate attendance at Parliament and Society events,” the solicitor said before moving to a new sheet of parchment.
Daniel struggled to keep his face impassive. David really had intended him to live at Norwick House, even before the man had died and become a ghost! But to direct Clarinda to live there, too? Didn’t the man know she despised him? Of course, he did. What had he said about giving Clarinda to Daniel? Because he’d stolen her from him? Daniel felt a sudden appreciation for what his brother had been up to – what he was up to – the man was playing matchmaker! Bless his heart!
Clarinda found herself wondering what David could be thinking by having her live under the same roof as Daniel. What could the man have been thinking just four days ago? He’d never made mention of his intention to have his brother and her live under the same roof! They could barely tolerate each other’s company!
Trying to keep her attention on the solicitor, Clarinda dared a glance over at Daniel and found him doing the same in her direction. They both turned their heads toward the solicitor as if they’d been caught doing something illegal, guilty looks quickly replaced by bland expressions.
“All clothing and personal items such cravat pins, cuff links, shoes and sundries, including the sandalwood and amber colognes, are bequeathed to Daniel.” The man’s face seem to scrunch up as he read the scrawls on the page. “It says here you’re to wear the colognes whenever you are expected to be in the company of Lady Norwick as she is especially fond of the scent,” he said, his face suddenly turning a dark shade of scarlet. “Can’t say I’ve ever had that mentioned in a will before,” he commented.
Clarinda stared at the solicitor and slowly turned to Daniel, her gaze quickly returning to Mr. Hammond when she realized Daniel’s gaze was on her again. I never said anything about his cologne before he died, Clarinda thought frantically. What must Daniel think? That I had David add the request to the will? He’ll probably think of it as some kind of punishment.
Mr. Hammond had moved to the next page of the will, holding it up as he squinted at the words. “This next section has to do with the livestock now belonging to Daniel Fitzwilliam. It appears, my lord, that you are the owner of all the animals in the stable at three properties, except,” he said this last with a good deal of emphasis on the word ’except’, “There is a bay gelding used by the dowager countess that’s to become her property, but all costs of care will be borne by the Norwick earldom,” he said as he glanced in Dorothea’s direction, “And a black that is a particular favorite of the
countess,” he paused and nodded to Clarinda,“That is to remain her property until its death. In both cases, replacement horses are to be provided upon request by the ladies.”
Dorothea leaned back in her chair and regarded Mr. Hammond through narrowed eyes. “Am I to believe, Mr. Hammond, that my late son actually had you write these instructions into his will?” she asked, somewhat incredulous. “I only just acquired my high stepper from Over the Hill Farms last month! I can hardly believe David knew anything about Mr. Popper Over the Hill.”
Clarinda and Daniel both turned in unison to regard the dowager countess, their mouths suddenly hanging open in a most unbecoming manner.
“Mr. Popper Over the Hill?” Daniel repeated, his eyebrow arching up nearly into his hairline.
Her shoulders suddenly pulled back, Dorothea turned her head to regard her son. “He was named based on his lineage, of course,” she stated quite firmly. “The sire was Mr. Peeper and the mare was Popover.” Clarinda found herself struggling to maintain an impassive expression, while Daniel’s eyebrows continued to attempt a merger with his hairline.
“A peeper and a popover gets a popper, then?” Daniel managed to get out with a perfectly straight face. Even after another couple of seconds, he showed no signs of being amused by his own deduction.
How does he do that? Clarinda wondered in amazement. The man obviously had no sense of humor, no sense of the absurd. She was forced to use her hanky to cover her mouth, sure her amusement would make itself apparent at a rather awkward moment. At any moment, in fact.
“Of course. The more likely moniker was already taken by the colt born the year before,” Dorothea said defensively, one hand waving in the air.
Clarinda hoped Daniel wouldn’t take the bait. She was sure she would be reduced to giggles should he ask as to the older colt’s name. Tears had already pricked the edges of her eyes, ready to break forth with the least provocation.
Unfortunately, Daniel straightened in his chair and regarded his mother with a stern look. “And what, pray tell, is the yearling’s name?” he asked.
“Why, Mr. Peep Over the Hill, of course,” his mother responded, as if the name should have been apparent to her son.
No longer able to contain her giggles, Clarinda tried to make them sound as if she was sobbing. And, in a way, she was. Could a reading of a will be any more unusual than this one? She rather doubted it. When she pulled the hanky from her eyes, she found Daniel watching her, not with a look of sympathy, but with a gleam in his eye that suggested he knew perfectly well she found the proceedings absurd. “I apologize,” Clarinda said as she turned to regard her mother-in-law. “I don’t know what came over me,” she said lamely.
Dorothea rolled her eyes. “Just be glad the second foal was a colt,” she said with an arched eyebrow. Not giving Daniel the opportunity to ask after that horse’s possible moniker had it been a filly, Dorothea straightened. “Had it been a filly, I would be riding Miss Popper Over the Hill, which makes it sound as if she would be ready for a tumble at every opportunity,” she murmured, returning her attention to the rather startled solicitor. “Do continue, Mr. Hammond,” she encouraged as she waved her hand again.
The solicitor stared at her for a moment too long before he said, “As to your question about Lord Norwick knowing about your recent purchase of Mr. Popper Over the Hill – I can assure you he was quite aware of your acquisition of the horse since he paid for said horse the week prior to his meeting at our offices.”
Dorothea’s eyes widened. “Indeed? I’m surprised he would even notice the invoice,” she murmured, lifting one shoulder in a small shrug.
Mr. Hammond’s white eyebrows lifted quite a bit. “I believe his comment was ‘Mr. Popper Over the Hill had better not, or I shall pop him off to a glue factory’.”
Clarinda didn’t dare glance in her mother-in-law’s direction, knowing the woman would take umbrage at David’s comment. “Oh!” Dorothea gasped, one hand moving to cover the cleavage that showed above the neckline of her gown. “How dare he?” she uttered, clearly incensed that her son would threaten her new high-stepper in such a manner.
Suddenly nervous, Mr. Hammond returned his attention to the pages he held. He dared a glance at the other Lady Norwick, who was still wiping tears from the corners of her eyes while Mr. Fitzwilliam was doing a damned good job of keeping a straight face. How does he do that? he wondered as he moved to the next page of the will. This has to be the most unusual reading of a will I’ve ever presided over. He cleared his throat. “Moving on. The Earl of Norwick was in possession of several collections. First and foremost, of course, are the paintings.”
At Dorothea’s sudden gasp, Clarinda and Daniel turned to regard her while Mr. Hammond simply continued. “The paintings of the past earls and all the family portraits are to remain where they currently hang in this residence as well as in the portrait gallery at Norwick Park. The nudes are to be sold, if desired, by the next earl, and the proceeds donated to a worthy charity of his choice.”
Daniel’s eyebrow cocked. If desired? And what paintings of nudes could David have been referring to? “Excuse me,” he spoke, holding up a hand and looking to Clarinda. “My lady, are you aware of any nudes in this residence?” he asked, his brow furrowing as if he were truly befuddled.
Clarinda’s face took on a decidedly pinkish cast. She knew of several nudes hanging in her late husband’s library and here in the study. There was one hanging on the wall directly to their left! Hadn’t Daniel noticed? He had certainly been in both rooms since his arrival. Hadn’t he?
But it was the nude above the massive four poster and a partial nude above the long dresser – both in David’s bedchamber – that had her blushing profusely. She had posed for the French artiste Jean-Claude Lamorette for the paintings, her likeness and her unclothed body quite faithfully rendered for both works of art. Surely David did not intend to have Daniel sell those? She would be mortified! She would certainly be recognized if the buyer lived in London! And, oh my, Daniel has no doubt seen those paintings – he had been ensconced in David’s old bedchamber just last night!
Mr. Hammond suddenly straightened in the chair, a move that seemed almost impossible for a man with his protruding belly. “The exceptions to this are the two paintings that hang in the earl’s bedchamber. They are to remain in situ. Lord Norwick writes here that his brother should find those paintings pleasing to the eye, and if not, he will, and I quote, Haunt the man until his dying day. Unquote.” He looked up to regard Daniel, his gaze suggesting the younger brother had better find the paintings pleasing to the eye. And perhaps some other body parts, as well.
Daniel suddenly colored up, his attention suddenly no longer on Clarinda. “If there are such paintings in Lord Norwick’s bedchamber, I assure you, I have not noticed,” he stated emphatically, his face suddenly turning to stone.
Clarinda’s mortification eased a bit, only to be replaced by indignation. He hadn’t noticed? How could that be? The paintings were huge! Almost life-size! And quite well-lit during the day. She was about to call him out on the topic – she was rather well depicted in both paintings, her poses somewhat provocative but no more so than those shown in paintings done by the Masters! How dare Daniel? Why, the one over the bed showed her at her very best, one breast quite pert and one hip and a very long leg very much on display while she lounged in David’s bed with an artistically draped satin throw covering her nether regions. Her one arched eyebrow suggested ... well, it was the reason David claimed he made his way to her bedchamber so often after the painting was hung!
As for the one above the dresser, well, she’d been much younger then, and the large vase of strategically placed flowers and the silk drape barely covering her derriere made it more titillating than truly provocative.
“How could you not have noticed?” Clarinda demanded suddenly, the words out of her mouth befor
e she realized she’d even said them. She was about to mention the paintings had been birthday presents for her husband when she realized both Dorothea and Daniel were both staring at her. She sat up straighter, her bosom thrusting out. Damn the mourning clothes, she thought as she realized the effect of her still pert bosom was lost on her audience when it was shrouded in black.
Daniel gave a quick glance toward the solicitor before turning his attention back to Clarinda. “I assure you, my lady, I have not seen said paintings since I have not frequented my brother’s bedchamber since my arrival at Norwick House,” he lied quite convincingly.
He, of course, knew exactly which paintings featured Clarinda as their subject; the sight of the arched eyebrow alone nearly had him visiting her bedchamber a few moments after he stood staring at the painting. And then he’d had trouble sleeping when his cock kept reminding him of what, nay, who lay in the adjoining bedchamber, presumedly with one pert breast and a rather long leg on display with a counterpane barely a covering the rest of Lady Norwick. Knowing how one of each of those body parts looked meant he could be fairly certain how the other one of each would look. The sight of the pair of each in his mind’s eye, along with the image of her long, naked back all the way from her shoulders to just above the satin drape featured in the other painting had him quite aroused that very morning as he stood in the middle of the bedchamber and attempted to pull his breeches over his manhood. The task proved next to impossible as there simply wasn’t room; he was forced to imagine Great Aunt Mildred’s face, and by extension, what her body looked like before his manhood lost its pertness.
The Widowed Countess Page 14