Page 86 of The Unfortunate Debutante
“Because, my dear, I had bought up the surrounding areas for a cheap price and sold them for a sizable profit to Rowe Chalk,” he explained, releasing her arm. “They promptly created an extensive channel of chalk quarries.”
Emma took a few steps backwards, creating more distance between them. “Chalk quarries?”
“Yes, but Rowe Chalk wanted your property, because it contains a hard chalk known as Totternhoe stone.”
“I will never sell my land to you,” she declared, swiping her hand in front of her again.
He took a step closer to her, causing her to take two steps back. “I assumed as much, but it won’t make a difference once we’re married. The land will become mine.” He gave her a smug smile. “But you are worth so much more than the land, Emma.”
“I beg your pardon?”
He widened his stance and crossed his arms over his broad chest. “Your mother was the daughter of a powerful man, but she was disowned when she ran off to marry your father.”
“I wasn’t aware of that,” she said, confused. “My family never spoke of my mother’s past.”
“Your mother turned her back on her family, leaving a fortune behind.”
“A fortune?” Emma frowned. “How do you know all of this?”
Peter uncrossed his arms, then shook his head as if she was a simpleton. “When your mother was sick, she asked to speak to me as her solicitor. She had a small inheritance she wanted to be willed to you.”
“But I know nothing of an inheritance.”
“Sadly, that money is spent,” Peter revealed.
“Pardon?”
Lockhart gave her a baffled look. “After you left me, I was forced to drain the coffers while I watched over you.”
“You usedmyinheritance to watch over me?”
He closed the distance between them and placed his hand on her forearm. “It doesn’t matter. The money was meant for us.”
“No, it was meant forme,” she pressed, stepping away from him.
“You’re wrong. Once we marry, that money would have belonged to me, anyway.” He took a step closer to her. “Regardless, did you not ever consider who paid for your fancy boarding school?”
“My father paid for it,” she replied, walking over to the broken window, still trying to create distance between them.
He shook his head. “Your father couldn’t afford the high tuition cost.”
“If my father didn’t pay for my boarding school, then who did?” she asked, her voice rising.
Walking over to the bed, Peter sat down. “Your grandfather did.”
“My grandparents are dead.”
“Your mother’s father is alive,” he declared.
“My grandfather is still alive?” Emma’s mouth gaped. “That’s impossible.”
“No, your grandfather is Sir Alymer Blackmore, and he is one of the most powerful landowners in Bath,” Peter informed her. “He was devastated to hear that your mother passed away and sent money every month for your care.”
“Why didn’t my father say anything?” she asked, leaning back on the sill for support.
“Your father never knew,” Peter said. “Your father was under the impression that his investments paid for your boarding school.”
Furrowing her brows, she questioned, “I don’t understand. Why the secrecy?”
