Page 87 of When You Rescued Me

The Lund family account. What on earth did that mean? “But you said the captain was unmarried.”

“He was.”

Samuel frowned. “Forgive me. Though the captain was like a father to me, if you have brought me here to ask about his extended family connections, you should know that I am unable to supply you with any information on that score.”

“No, Mr. Ross, I have all the information I need. All I have been missing since learning of Captain Lund’s passing was a means of contacting you.” He reached for one of the piles of papers on his desk. “Now that you are here, we can get down to the business at hand.”

Samuel’s original impression that Cantrell was eccentric was quickly becoming a certainty. “What business is that exactly?”

“The business of signing over the Lund family’s Shropshire manor, land, business, and other assets to you.”

For three painful heartbeats, Samuel could only stare at him. “I beg your pardon,” he finally said.

Cantrell drew a long breath. “If you are truly unaware of Captain Lund’s background, allow me to enlighten you.

“Oswald Lund was the second of two sons born to Richard and Rosamond Lund. Richard Lund was a highly respected member of Society in Shropshire. He was born into a well-established family, but unlike many of his peers who live on residual income, Richard saw his considerable acreage as a means of providing a viable income not only for himself but also for his tenants.

“It did not take long before he had established himself as one of the best wool merchants in the country. His oldest son, Selwyn, was of a similar mindset, and when Richard died, Selwyn took over the running of the house, the farmland, and the Lund Woolens business. Rosamond lived a few years longer than her husband, but soon after her passing, Selwyn married. Oswald, by this time, was gone from Dryton Manor. With no interest in working the land, he had chosen a career in the navy, and from all that I can ascertain, he never regretted his choice.

“Selwyn and his wife had no children, and four years ago, when they died within six months of each other, the family fortune fell to Oswald. Gooding notified Captain Lund of his brother’s passing, but Captain Lund informed him that he wished to remain with his ship. He then asked that Gooding hire a capable foreman to manage the sheep farm and a manager for the business. He charged us with taking care of everything else. Upon returning to England, he used his brief shore leave to visit our office to draw up a new will. He must have also made a request to the Admiralty’s office that should he die whilst at sea, they were to notify his solicitor. We received word of his passing a few months ago. I wrote to request that you visit our office upon your ship’s docking in London, but I assume you never received the missive.”

“I did not.” There was no need for Samuel to elaborate. All manner of things could have happened to prevent him from receiving a letter during his long recovery.

“In that case,” Cantrell continued, “I shall reiterate what I wrote in the letter: In the absence of any natural-born heirs, Captain Oswald Lund listed you, Samuel Ross, as the sole beneficiary of all his property, goods, and monies.”

Samuel forced himself to take a breath. He had not felt this off-kilter since he first set foot on board deck. He placed his fingers to his forehead in an attempt to slow the spinning in his head. “He left me everything?”

“Yes.” Cantrell drew the top piece of paper from one of the piles and studied it. “The land alone is worth more than most gentry can claim.”

Panic infiltrated Samuel’s incredulity. “But I know nothing about farming or running a wool-production business. And I have never set foot in Shropshire.”

“Shropshire should be the least of your concerns,” Cantrell said, reaching for a quill. “In my opinion, it is one of the most pleasant counties in all of England. However, should you prefer to live in London, there is more than enough money in the bank to purchase and staff a house in Town.”

Samuel attempted to process Cantrell’s words and came up lacking. “What of the farming?” he asked.

“The current foreman appears to be functioning well. There is no reason why you could not keep him on, at least until you have had time to consider your options.”

His options. The words circled his head. This was another life-­altering change and another chance at something he could never have dreamed possible only an hour ago. A flicker of hope broke through his bewilderment, and he came to his feet.

Cantrell looked up, obviously startled by Samuel’s unexpected movement. “I need only a few signatures,” he said, offering Samuel the quill.

“Can they wait until tomorrow?”

“Well, yes, but I would have thought you would wish to have the matter settled at once.”

That was undoubtedly what Cantrell wanted, but Samuel had something of far greater import to see to first.

“What I wish,” Samuel said, “is to speak with someone who has a better head for business than I do and return to discuss the details of Captain Lund’s will and sign the requisite papers after that consultation.”

Cantrell acknowledged the wisdom of Samuel’s request with a slight inclination of his head. “Fair enough.” He placed the paper in his hand back on top of the pile on the corner of his desk and stood. “I commend you for your pragmatism, Ross, and congratulate you upon your newfound wealth.”

“I hardly know what to say.”

Cantrell offered him the first smile Samuel had seen. It was little more than an upward quirk of his lips, but its rarity made it noteworthy. “I would suggest an expression of gratitude,” he said, “but I have done nothing more than act as messenger. If you schedule a return visit, however, I shall endeavor to earn my retainer fee.”

“Are you available tomorrow in the early afternoon?” Samuel asked.

“I am.” Cantrell extended his arm. “I shall watch for you then.”