“Quite.” Mr Wesley picked up the will once more. “"This is the last will and testament of Jebadiah Marsden",” he began again. “"To my only living son, Charles Marsden, I leave the bulk of my estate."”

Charles, who had been perched on the edge of the sofa, let out a sigh of relief, and Hetty smiled happily.

Rebecca, too, was pleased. She was beginning to feel a little more comfortable. Joshua had settled himself at the other side of the room, and she was able to think clearly again.

Mr Wesley went on to give details of Charles' inheritance: a number of London properties, a variety of stocks and bonds, as well as assorted bank balances and a collection of lesser items. Then he continued. “There are also a number of smaller legacies, as I expect you anticipated.” He cleared his throat again and went on.

“"To Miss Louisa Stanhope, I leave the sum of five thousand pounds."” Louisa was Rebecca's middle-aged cousin, and the two of them lived together in Cheshire, so that Rebecca was delighted to know that Louisa had been remembered. Five thousand pounds was a generous sum. It would enable Cousin Louisa to indulge in a number of the luxuries she presently deprived herself of. Perhaps she could even visit Bath or Harrogate to take the waters, in an attempt to cure the rheumatism which had prevented her from travelling to London with Rebecca.

Rebecca turned her attention back to Mr Wesley. “"To my godson, Joshua Kelling",” he went on, “"I leave my signet ring —"”

Rebecca nodded thoughtfully. It seemed fitting, as well as practical, that Joshua should inherit her grandfather's ring, which was embossed with the letter "J".