Page 49 of Stolen By the Heartless Duke

Across from him, her uncle Zachary smiled. It was not a warm smile, but the satisfied smile of a man watching a trap close.

Lady Wynten looked from the attorney to her brother-in-law, confusion giving way to alarm.

“What is he talking about?” she asked. “Surely, Colin remains Earl of Wynten.”

“He does,” the attorney answered gently. “Legally, Lord Wynten retains the title until he is either found… or declared deceased.”

Jane’s heart lurched painfully at the words. “Then what is the purpose of this discussion?”

The solicitor inhaled slowly. “In Lord Wynten’s absence, someone must administer the estate.”

Jane frowned. “That responsibility belongs to his estate manager.”

“I’m afraid it does not,” the solicitor said as his frown deepened, and Jane suspected this poor man had been bullied by her uncle to be here.

Silence settled over the room. The grandfather clock ticked steadily against the far wall. Jane looked toward her uncle, who had not spoken yet. Instead, he had been watching and waiting. The smirk that tugged at the corners of his mouth made Jane realize that he was enjoying this.

The attorney cleared his throat. “Until Lord Wynten returns, stewardship of the earldom passes to the nearest eligible male relative.”

Lady Wynten blinked. “You cannot mean?—”

“I’m afraid I do.” He lowered his eyes, as if he felt bad for what would come next. “Lord Zachary Deverell becomes acting steward of the estate.”

Jane felt as though the floor shifted beneath her. “No.” The word escaped before she realized she had spoken aloud.

The attorney looked genuinely regretful. “My lady,” he began, but trailed off.

“No.” Jane stood, smoothing her hands over her skirt. “Colin has been gone scarcely over a week.”

The solicitor said, “I know.”

“No one even knows where he is,” Jane continued.

“I know, my lady, but the law?—”

“He could walk through that door this afternoon,” Jane said as she looked toward her mother.

“I sincerely hope he does.” The solicitor wiped his brow with a handkerchief.

“Then how can my uncle simply arrive and declare this house his?”

“He is not declaring himself earl,” the solicitor said.

Jane folded her arms tightly across her chest. “But he is behaving as though he already is.”

At that, Zachary finally laughed. “My dear niece,” he drawled, “must everything become so melodramatic with you?”

Jane turned toward him. “If you have come here to gloat, you may leave, Uncle.”

“Oh?” His eyebrows rose. “And surrender my legal responsibilities? Surely, that would be neglectful. Not to mention it would bring such shame to the family.”

The solicitor looked mortified. Jane almost pitied him.

“I did not ask for this assignment,” the solicitor said carefully. “But the law regarding dormant peerages is… rather clear.”

Jane’s jaw tightened. “There must be another arrangement.”

“There is not.” The solicitor tugged at the collar of his shirt nervously, averting his gaze from Jane’s.