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With the exception of her mother’s sister, her Aunt Claudia, who was currently abroad, Geoffrey was Cassia’s only other living relative. Being that he was the sole Montefort male remaining, he would now become the fourth Marquess Seagrave as well.

Hence, the obvious reason for his flagrant attire and for the unscheduled visit this day.

“Good day, Lady Cassia,” Finchley said, taking the seat Rolfe had just vacated. He set the flat, worn-leather case he used to hold his documents on his lap and untied its corded fastening. “It is good to see you again. I hope we have not come at an inopportune time?”

Cassia shot Rolfe a quick glance, then wondered why she had felt the need to. “No, Mr. Finchley, you know you are always welcome here.”

Finchley smiled, his rotund face flushing slightly. “You are looking well. How are you faring these days, my dear?”

“As well as can be expected, given the circumstances. Thank you for asking, Mr. Finchley.”

Cassia glanced to the doorway where the diligent Clydesworthe awaited. “I believe tea would be in order, Clydesworthe, and some of the cook’s buttered scones, if you please.”

She returned her attentions to her guests. “Mr. Finchley, Geoffrey, please allow me to introduce Rolfe Brodrigan, the Earl of Ravenscroft.”

She purposely didn’t tell them why Rolfe was there.

Mr. Finchley shook Rolfe’s hand then settled back in his chair, ready to see to the business at hand.

Geoffrey, sitting comfortably on a cushioned bench set near the tall windows, merely nodded, ignoring the social niceties.

Perhaps he thought, now that he was a marquess, he no longer needed to be polite.

“Cassia,” Finchley began, “as I am sure you are already aware, I have come here to discuss the settlement of your father’s estate. I would have come sooner, but there were some details that needed to be seen to, loose ends that needed to be tied off, if you will.”

He paused then, glancing at Rolfe. “Ah, perhaps Lord Ravenscroft might prefer to leave us in privacy while we discuss this...?”

Cassia looked to Rolfe, fully expecting him to quit the room as had been suggested.

He did not immediately move.

“I can assure you I have no interest in your business, Mr. Finchley,” he said, “but I would ask to remain in the room, if you wouldn’t mind.”

Finchley looked somewhat startled at Rolfe’s response. When Cassia made no attempt to contradict him, he simply shrugged and went on. “As you wish...”

He started shuffling through the papers he’d extracted from his case.

“I have asked Geoffrey to attend this meeting with us because, being that he is the sole Montefort male, this will naturally concern him as well. Ah, here it is.” He pulled a single document from the other papers, adjusted his spectacles, then looked up to regard Cassia directly.

“Shortly after your mother’s unfortunate passing earlier this year, your father came to me seeking my advice and assistance on a petition he wished to bring before the Crown.

It concerned the distribution of his estate, you see, moreover, how certain aspects of this would be accomplished.

I hold in my hand a copy of this petition.

I would add that it was granted and stamped with the Seal of England not two weeks before his untimely demise. ”

Geoffrey, who had hereto remained at the window, suddenly came forward. “Petition? What sort of petition would this be, Mr. Finchley?”

Finchley cleared his throat and continued, speaking only to Cassia. “As you well know, Lady Cassia, your father did not leave a son to carry on the Seagrave line. Due to the wars, neither did any of the brothers that followed, excepting the youngest one—Harold, I believe his name was.”

“Yes, he was my father,” Geoffrey piped in.

“Geoffrey, please,” Cassia said, turning to Mr. Finchley. “Pray continue, Mr. Finchley.”

Finchley nodded. “I’m sorry to have brought up the subject. I know it must only serve to remind you of the grief you must feel at the loss of so many family members—war is such a tragic thing—but I felt I must clarify a few things.”

Cassia sought to reassure him. “It is quite all right, Mr. Finchley. Since I was raised in France with my mother, I am afraid I did not know any of my father’s relatives.

From what I heard, there were quite a number of them.

I only learned of them and of the tragedy of their deaths at my return to England, but I do thank you for your consideration. ”

Finchley smiled. “Yes, well, this was a matter of great trouble to your father. Citing the fact that your mother had served His Majesty King Charles during his years while in exile in France, thereby depriving your parents of the many opportunities in which to conceive a male heir, your father made a request of the king.”

“What sort of request?” Geoffrey asked, breaking in again.

“Geoffrey, please,” Cassia said. “I’m certain Mr. Finchley has every intention of telling us, if you would but allow it.”

Finchley paused, glancing a moment at Geoffrey. He then handed the document he’d been holding to Cassia.

“It is my duty as his solicitor to inform you that your father sought—and has succeeded—in naming you, Lady Cassia, the sole heiress to his estate.”