Page 50 of Stolen By the Heartless Duke

“My mother and I live here. What will become of us?”

The solicitor said, “You may continue to do so.”

“For now,” Lord Zachary said pleasantly.

Lady Wynten paled. Jane caught it immediately. “Fornow?”

Lord Zachary spread his hands. “If the estate proves… unsustainable, then we might have to rethink the arrangement.”

Jane’s fists clenched. “Itissustainable.”

Her stomach rolled as she stared at this man. He was her father’s brother.Did that mean nothing? How could he be so callous?When Jane thought about her father and her uncle, she realized that the two had never been the same. The difference made her ache with grief for her father.

Her uncle continued as if she had not spoken. “Or if it is poorly managed, certain economies may become necessary.”

“You have not even looked at the estate accounts,” Jane protested.

Zachary said, “I intend to.”

“You know nothing about Wynten.” As soon as the words left Jane’s mouth, she knew she had overstepped, but she didn’t care. She wanted him to know that this place, her home, was special. And he knew nothing of it.

“I know enough,” Zachary smirked.

The room fell silent. The attorney shut his eyes briefly.

Jane took a deep breath. “We will continue to run Wynten House just as my father did, just as Colin does, until he comes back. I know everything will work out.”

Zachary’s smile disappeared. “You inherited your father’s foolishness.”

Jane’s eyes flashed. “My father built this estate.”

“He squandered it on sentiment.” Zachary sneered.

Lady Wynten rose anxiously. “Please… let us not argue.”

Neither of them looked at her. Jane refused to. She would not give Zachary the satisfaction.

“My brother devoted every waking hour to this earldom,” Jane said softly.

“The man was dragged from his own sister’s engagement celebration by armed criminals,” Zachary pointed out.

“What are you insinuating, Uncle?” Her brows knitted at once as her blood raced in her veins.

Zachary shrugged. “The estate does not cease functioning because your brother made unfortunate acquaintances.”

Jane’s stomach twisted. “My brother did no such thing.”

“Didn’t he?”

“He is an honorable man.” Jane felt the dampness in her eyes threatening to spill over down her cheeks.

“So honorable someone abducted him.”

Jane clenched her teeth. “You will not come into my brother’s house and slander him.”

“It ismyhouse now.”

The words landed like a slap. Lady Wynten gasped. Jane stared. “No.”