Dawn's Prelude Read Free Page B

bequeath my worldly possessions to my partner, Zachary Rockford. Should he not survive me, then my goods are to be divided equally among my children as follows: To my daughters, Jeannette and Genevieve, I give equally the properties of their mother, including all jewelry, china, house furnishings, furs, and the like. To my sons, Mitchell and Marston, I leave all business ventures, investments of stocks and bonds, and the entirety of my bank accounts, which are detailed in this document.”
    Mitchell and Marston smiled at each other. Lydia could see they were pleased with the outcome. Knowing her stepsons as she did, Lydia surmised they were already making plans for their inheritance.
    Mr. Sterling cleared his throat nervously and stood. “I find this most awkward and difficult,” he began. “I must admit I have not ever been placed in this position before, and hope never to see myself here again.”
    Lydia couldn’t imagine what he was rambling about. She wanted only to get up and leave the stuffy office. She looked at Mr. Robinson, who gave her a reassuring nod.
    “What are you going on about?” Mitchell demanded. “I want to know if Mr. Rockford’s will is going to be honored and the business turned over in complete to our handling.”
    Mr. Sterling met their gazes with a most panicked expression. “I’m sorry. You must understand that the terms of your father’s will are legal and valid. I have already made inquiries on your behalf, and there is nothing to be done.”
    “Perhaps Lydia will sell you her portion,” Eve called out from behind her brothers.
    Lydia heard Evie’s husband quiet her, but not before Marston gave her a withering look. He then turned back to the lawyer. “What exactly are you saying, Mr. Sterling?”
    “You’ve heard the will for yourself.” He cleared his throat again and picked up the papers he’d left on the table. “I’m afraid the situation is not what any of us expected. Your father created this provision, not only as a part of the marriage contract he and Mr. Rockford agreed upon, but he solidified the terms by putting them also in his business papers of partnership and his last will and testament. Therefore, upon his death, his possessions . . . everything . . . went to Mr. Rockford, who survived him by two days.”
    Lydia blinked hard at the words. She was beginning to see exactly what the man was saying. Her heart raced as she looked again to Mr. Robinson. Mitchell jumped to his feet in the same moment.
    “Now wait just a minute,” he declared.
    “What’s wrong?” Jeannette suddenly joined in. “What is going on?” She pulled at her husband’s sleeve.
    Marston glowered at Lydia. He knew exactly what was happening, just as she did.
    Mitchell continued to rant. “Are you telling us that our inheritance was passed to Mr. Rockford, and in turn, he passed it to her?” His eyes shot daggers at Lydia, but instead of it causing her to shrink away as once she might have done, Lydia merely returned his angry glare.
    “That simply cannot be,” Jeannette declared. “It isn’t possible.” Her shrieking voice grew louder. “That can’t be what he means.”
    Marston folded his arms and matter-of-factly replied, “That’s exactly what he means.”
    Robinson met Marston’s fixed stare. “Your brother understands it correctly. Mrs. Gray’s father outlived your father. The carriage accident took both lives, but not at the same time. There is no disputing that Mr. Rockford survived your father in death.”
    “But he never regained consciousness,” Mitchell protested. “That’s not any kind of living, as far as I’m concerned.”
    “But legally, he was not dead,” Robinson said. “His death did not come until two days after Mr. Gray, and therefore, he was Mr. Gray’s survivor.”
    Mr. Sterling had taken his seat. He seemed only too happy to give the argument over to his fellow lawyer.
    “I won’t stand for this. She is not stealing our inheritance,” Marston