Say You Will Read Free

shoulder. “We haven’t had money in a long time, thanks to Reginald’s poor decisions, but if I have control over everything else, the last laugh is mine, and that’s something, isn’t it?”
    Biting her lip, Rosalind watched her mother stride out, her dignity rigid in the line of her back. If her father weren’t already dead, she’d kill him again.
    But one thing was certain. “I’m not sure I’d be any help, Bea. Can’t you—”
    “I’m going to Japan on business tomorrow.” Her sister frowned. “I can’t reschedule, and I’m not certain how quickly I can return. We need to find the will before someone else does, Ros. You understand that, don’t you? Without a will, the estate will be intestate and go to Mother.”
    “I got that, but isn’t it better lost?”
    “Yes, which is why you’ll find it and destroy it so there’s no possibility of it surfacing, in case he did leave everything to his mistress.”
    “Not that that’s illegal or anything, right?”
    “You haven’t committed a crime until you’re caught.”
    She stared at her oldest sister with a combination of awe and horror. “You’re frightening.”
    “I’m thorough.”
    “Viola and Portia are here. Can’t they search for it?”
    “Portia?” Bea laughed. “Portia thought Father walked on water. If she found the will, she’d probably make sure his wishes were carried out. Portia takes the family crest more seriously than anyone.”
    That was true. Rosalind turned and looked at the moulding above the library door. It was etched above every doorway in the house along with the family motto. Honour and Family.
    She’d always thought it was a farce, but never more so than now. Resentment left a bitter taste in her mouth, made stronger by the anger she felt toward Reginald Summerhill. He was always so disapproving of her and her sisters, but look at what he did.
    Now wasn’t the time to dwell on that. She shook her head. “Then what about Viola?”
    Bea frowned. “Something’s amiss with Vi. I’m hesitant to burden her with this yet, not when she seems so brittle.”
    Rosalind remembered the tight look around Vi’s eyes and couldn’t disagree. She rubbed her neck, feeling the responsibility like a noose. “I don’t know.”
    “Ros, what do you think will happen to Mother without money from the sale of the estate’s assets?” Before she could answer, Bea continued. “One of us will have to take her in. It’s not going to Viola, Portia, or Titania. None of them could support her. So it’ll be up to me, you, and Imogen. How do you feel about a part-time roommate?”
    “Mother?” She tried to picture her mother living in her San Francisco loft and winced. “That’s not going to work.”
    “Exactly.”
    She sighed. “How long do you think this is going to take?”
    “I’ll be gone for a week, maybe a touch longer. I’ll take over once I get back.”
    “I have a life and business in San Francisco, Bea.”
    “I know, but the sooner we have the will, the sooner we can make sure Mother’s future is secure. And it’d be nice for Mother to have you here, Rosalind.” Her sister looked at her. “You were closest to her.”
    Only because they shared a love for clothing. Their mother wasn’t a warm individual—she didn’t think anyone could claim to be close to her.
    “Finding the will shouldn’t be difficult. If it’s not in his safe, it has to be in his study. It’s where he spent most of his time. Let me know what you decide,” Bea said as she left the room, but her tone suggested there was only one answer she’d accept.
    Rosalind turned and glanced up at the moulding above the door.
    Honour and Family.
    Reginald Summerhill had forsaken both. Rosalind wasn’t sure she could follow in his footsteps.

Chapter Three
    The memorial service was torture—until the ballroom door creaked open, and an angel walked into the room.
    An angel at Reginald Summerhill’s memorial? Nicholas Long would never have expected