Chapter 5
Five
The last time the two of them were in a garden she had requested a kiss, which she would not do this evening, even though Nicoll would not mind experiencing his lips against hers a second time.
In fact, if matters were not so pressing, she might ask him for one, but she needed to secure her sisters’ future.
They nodded to others who were gathered on the terrace, which was far more pleasant than the stuffy ballroom, but she could not speak until she was certain that they would not be overheard.
“I assume your dilemma involves Retford,” he said quietly as they moved off the terrace and onto the gravel path.”
“He is the one who has prompted my need to hire you.”
“I am happy to be of service. What do you need?”
She stopped and turned to face him. They were far enough away that nobody could hear what they were saying but could still be seen and why she kept enough distance between their bodies so that no one questioned her wisdom in walking in the garden with a known rake.
“There are two matters,” she began. “First, I need passage purchased for me and my sisters to Dominca. I have the funds…I can obtain the funds.” With Retford now in control of the accounts, she might need to sell some of her jewelry.
“It is imperative that nobody is alerted to my intentions, especially Retford.”
He frowned. “Is this for a visit?”
“No. It will be a permanent move.”
“Are you certain that is what you want?”
“I have little choice. If my cousin was not presenting difficulties, we would likely remain in England.”
“What difficulties?” Lord Cecil asked.
“They do not matter because I intend to be gone before his plans come to fruition.”
Lord Cecil nodded. “What is your second request?”
“To sell the home my father purchased before he died and forward the funds to me.” Except, would Lord Cecil be able to do so now?
“Who holds the title to the property?”
Nicoll blinked. That was not something she had considered. “My father, but he died without a will.”
Lord Cecil nodded in understanding. “And might that be the reason Retford is making difficulties for you?”
“Yes.” Nicoll then explained the visit she received and the petition filed by Retford with the Court of Chancery and how the Dominica estate was not mentioned and how she intended to reside there with her sisters.
“And you assume that if you flee to Dominica, he will lose interest and leave your family be.”
“Yes.”
“If your father owned such a property, why did he not remain in Dominica and retire before he returned?”
“He anticipated more years working for the Crown but was dissatisfied with Jersey. His health was also failing, more so than it had when we lived there.”
“How old are your sisters?”
Nicoll blew out a sigh. These were not questions she had wanted to answer. She simply wanted to board a ship to Dominica and forget she even had a cousin who intended to complicate her life.
“The three youngest are twenty, nineteen and seventeen.”
“Can I assume that your father never named a guardian, just as he did not have a will prepared?”
Nicoll nodded.
“Therefore, Retford wants not only guardianship of the three but control over your father’s property and funds to manage it for them.”
“Yes, but he does not know about the estate in Dominica and I want to keep it that way.”
“Dominica is still subject to English Common Law. Thus, they will still need a guardian.”
“My older sister is married and lives in Antigua. I am certain her husband will take on the guardianship and I would not need to fear that he would arrange a marriage that my sisters may not want, or squander the funds meant for their future, or anything else that might be harmful to my family.”
Lord Cecil nodded. “You do not trust Retford.”
“Do you?” she countered.
No, he did not.
Retford was no more interested in guardianship than most bachelors. He likely intended to use them to facilitate marriages that would benefit him, not the women, as well as control of the finances and property of the estate. Not that he would tell Nicoll because she was already worried.
“Will you help me?” she asked.
“Yes,” Cecil automatically answered. Except, he hated the idea that she might leave England for good. He wanted at least another dance, and a kiss, before she left.
“Please call on me when arrangements for passage to the Caribbean have been made.”
Again, Nicoll turned and walked away from him.
Why couldn’t she remain long enough to perhaps discuss something that was not so pressing? But each time they concluded the reason they were together, she was done and left.
It was all rather aggravating. How could he ever charm her out of another kiss if she did not allow him to do so?
However, that was a dilemma that he would worry about at another time and watched as she returned to her sisters.
He also couldn’t help but note that Retford watched him with narrowed eyes of interest. It was not possible that man knew what Nicoll was planning, but Retford was also no fool, no matter how much Cecil did not trust him. He was not surprised when Retford approached him in the card room.
“What is your interest in Miss Nicoll?”
“We are acquaintances,” he answered. “A friendship that began to develop in Jersey.”
“If she has attempted to secure your services, you should know that Miss Nicoll has no funds with which to pay you.”
Cecil frowned. “Is there a reason why she may need my professional assistance?”
“If you are truly friends, then you already know.” The corner of Retford’s mouth twitched. “You should also advise her that as her father’s eldest male heir, I will prevail.”
“I will relay your message if she mentions any concerns,” Cecil assured him before taking his leave.
He then spent the next day learning the whole of Retford’s debts, the value of the house, which Mr. Driscoll had purchased outright not long after they arrived, and the totality of his investments and accounts.
Nicoll’s father did have a solicitor, and after meeting Mr. Archer, understood why Nicoll had not chosen him to assist her.
He was old, and slow in his thoughts and movements.
But he had assured Cecil that Mr. Driscoll had drafted a will and named the guardian of the estate and minor daughters, a Mr. Rhys McNaught of Antigua, but Mr. Driscoll had failed to sign the documents.
Cecil requested a copy so that he might have that if needed, then left the offices to return to his own.
Matters could be resolved quite simply if Mr. McNaught was in London, but his living in Antigua made it difficult. However, the Court of Chancery was known for lengthy and frustrating delays, which would benefit Nicoll in her desire to flee London.