“Of course, my lady.”
“Enough,” Lady Greatheart replied then, turning her head away when the maid offered the spoon again.
“One more bite, my lady?” the maid encouraged.
Lady Greatheart gave a sigh, took the final spoonful, then swallowed.
“Sleep.”
Catherine helped her grandmother settle back into the bed, her tiny frame growing smaller with time and inactivity. Whispering a prayer over her grandmother, Catherine watched as she quickly fell asleep.
“Her coloring is good, my lady. She’s improving, just…slowly.”
Catherine turned to the maid and nodded. “Please inform me if she awakens.”
“Of course.”
Catherine kissed her fingers and placed the kiss on her grandmother’s forehead, lingering there as she caressed her features with her gaze. “I love you.”
She quit the room and slowly walked down the hall toward the stairs that would lead to the parlor where so many questions and answers would be found.
As she made her way to the meeting, she sent a maid to fetch tea. The gentlemen would be arriving soon, and she was certain Mrs. Burke would be in attendance as well, if not already waiting in the parlor.
When she crossed the threshold, her assumptions were proven correct as Mrs. Burke waited for her, needlepoint in hand, with a sour welcome.
“Good afternoon.” Her expression belied the welcome.
“Indeed,” Catherine replied, then took a seat near the table where the tea tray would shortly be set out.
She thought back through the questions she wished to have answered, and no sooner had she run through the list than Brooks announced the arrival of Lord Bircham.
In much the same style as the previous day, Lord Bircham walked into the room with purpose, his cane in hand. His attention found Mrs. Burke, and he nodded. He then turned to Catherine. “Good day.” He bowed.
“Good day,” Catherine replied. “Will you sit?” She gestured to the chair across from her.
He gave another nod and took the directed seat. She’d tried to be strategic in her placement of the gentlemen, wanting to see them without having to turn her head too much one way or the other, allowing her to see the expression of one while the other talked. It might be nothing, but she didn’t want to miss something.
The tea was brought in, and as she was pouring for Lord Bircham, the solicitor was announced.
“Ah, welcome.” Lord Bircham stood, offering the man a handshake.
In turn, the solicitor bowed to her and took the seat Catherine offered.
Situated, Catherine presented tea to the solicitor and then served herself, thankful her hands didn’t tremble.
“Shall we begin?” Lord Bircham asked, rubbing his hands together.
The solicitor withdrew a leather-bound folder and adjusted his spectacles. “Of course.” He sorted through several documents and then squinted up to meet Catherine’s waiting expression.
“Lady Catherine, before your grandfather’s death, he named Lord Bircham as the trustee of the estate, since he was the closest relative at the time. Since then the senior Lord Bircham has passed as well, leaving his son as trustee.”
The solicitor gestured to Lord Bircham, who inclined his head.
“You’ll find I am very thorough in the details, and I wish you to have full understanding,” the solicitor said to her.
“Thank you.”
“Please continue,” Lord Bircham requested.