Page 31 of The Wallflower Takes All

The hunt for her husband was on. And she had reinforcements.

Chapter Five

By four o’clock that afternoon, Gabriel had reduced the Montfort difficulties to four neat piles upon his desk.

One pile contained debts that could be delayed. One contained debts that could not. One contained documents that might, with sufficient patience and optimism, prove useful. The fourth pile contained no optimism whatsoever.

He had labeled that one, with more restraint than it deserved, urgent.

Sunlight pressed weakly against the windows of Messrs. Ashby and Son, turning the dust in the air to pale gold and illuminating the worn dark wood of his father’s old desk. Gabriel had meant to replace that desk when he took over the practice. It was scarred, too large for the room, and bore an ink stain near the right corner that had survived every attempt at removal.

His father claimed the stain had character. Gabriel thought it had been indulged long enough.

He sat behind the desk now, coat buttoned, sleeves immaculate, quill set precisely beside his notebook, and stared down at the late Viscount Montague’s affairs with an irritation that had nothing to do with ink stains.

There should have been something.

A settlement provision. A small trust. An old investment. An overlooked account from the late viscount’s mother, perhaps, or a forgotten portion placed somewhere sensible by a man who had known his wife well enough to understand that Lady Viva Montfort could turn income into candlelight, champagne, and houseguests with alarming speed.

But after three hours, Gabriel had found no hidden fortune. No annuity. No benevolent clause tucked into the will like a pressed flower. No quiet legal miracle waiting beneath a layer of dust.

There were only debts, arrears, obligations, and the unmistakable evidence that Miss Montfort had been fighting a losing battle with more courage than experience.

He turned another page in her little account book and forced himself to review the column a third time.

The figures did not change. They had no respect for his wishes.

Lady Montague’s jointure: insufficient to maintain London house.

Remaining funds: modest, dwindling, vulnerable to continued expenditure.

Wine merchant: must be settled in part to prevent public complaint.

Milliner: immediate negotiation required.

Ashby and Son: arrears significant.

That last line sat on the page accusingly.

Gabriel opened his notebook and looked at the list he had made before visiting the Montfort house.

Montfort affairs

Review late Viscount Montague’s will.

Examine Lady Montague’s settlement.

Calculate arrears owed to Ashby and Son.

Determine remaining ready funds.

Recommend alternate solicitor.

Conclude account upon settlement of urgent matters.

Provide final bill and demand payment.

It was an excellent list—clear, sensible, and necessary.