Dare To Love

Dare To Love Read Free Page B

Book: Dare To Love Read Free
Author: Trisha Fuentes
Tags: Humorous, Historical, funny, maritime, Thomas, dare, gwen
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modest,
good-natured folk and they will be greatly missed.”
     
    “You are too kind,” Gwendolyn smiled, eyeing
her companion gazing intently into Mr. Archwald’s eyes now.
Gwendolyn does a double-take and nudged her friend. “And the
cottage?” She asked, incredulous that her friend was now in a deep
magnetic trance. “It is free and clear? Why, that’s wonderful!
Isn’t that wonderful Phyllis?”
     
    Phyllis just nodded her head. Gwendolyn
rolled her eyes and then focused on Mr. Archwald’s pigment, he was
blushing now, and his complexion swiftly blended in with his nose—a
nice rose-tinted hue. Gwendolyn held back her amusement and heard
him clear his throat yet again trying to continue, “She also left
you a trust fund.”
     
    “A what?”
     
    “From what I gather, Mrs. Hollinger, or may I
correct myself and properly address you as Lady Hollinger?”
     
    Having stopped shaking, Gwendolyn allowed the
accolade to sink in. It had been a long time since anyone had
addressed her formerly; she was not used to it. “You may,” she
stated softly. “But I must admit it is uncomfortable to hear the
title.”
     
    “Are you by any chance associated with the
Hollinger Commerce Company?”
     
    “The what?” Gwendolyn asked, unsure of what
he was asking; and then it hit her, “As I recall, it was a shipping
trade, a lineage Mr. Archwald, a company I no longer have
association with. Why do you ask, sir?”
     
    Mr. Archwald shook his head, “Never mind, and
gossip you know — well, it does not matter, let us proceed, shall
we?” He laughed, and then changed the subject. “I have known your
Great-Aunt for nearly thirty years and not once had she mentioned
that she was related to an Earl.”
     
    “By marriage, Mr. Archwald, and they were not
on speaking terms,” Gwendolyn quickly brought to the forefront.
“When my father was younger, my Grandmother and Great-Aunt, her
sister, were very close. But when my Grandfather matched my father
into an advantageous marriage, his state of affairs changed, thus,
drastically separating both influential families. My Great-Aunt
vowed never to speak to him again and thus never did when I was
brought to her door.” She explained, thinking too much about this
‘Hollinger Commerce Company’…who was supervising it?
     
    “Oh, I see…well, from my extensive research
into your family, Mrs.— Lady Hollinger, it was detected that with
his sudden demise, the Earl’s last will and testament did not
reflect his marriage, therefore, not even his descendants. So when
your father passed on, all land and resources transferred to the
nearest relative, which was your Great-Aunt. Now it makes perfect
sense that she did not covet the wealth and that the estate was
bequeathed to you.”
     
    “How much is left?”
     
    “Your father owed on many notes dear, most of
his wealth was liquidated a few winters back. One hundred pounds a
year is what you can claim. But there is property that has remained
secure. The land and manor are substantial. Why, if you liquidate
the property, you would never have to worry about your finances
again.”
     
    “Gisleham Manor?”
     
    “Yes—” he spat out, trying to clear his
gullet, shuffling through further paperwork on his desk. “The
property bordering…”
     
    “Wilderbrand Castle,” Gwendolyn finished for
him, thinking about the Hollinger’s once again.
     
    “Yes,” Mr. Archwald agreed lying down the
document he had in his hands.
     
    Gwendolyn closed her eyes. She had never
cared about her father’s wealth or preceding capital; she had been
living happily all these years without it, but the house…oh God,
her childhood home, this was a blessing in disguise. It was her
place of birth, where she grew up, so many seasons, winters, and
summers spent there, fishing, rowing, swimming and ice-skating on
its shared lake.
     
    So many memories dashed in and out of her
head, she could hardly keep up. It was all so long ago…in

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