“" — together with a half share in Marsden mill".”

Rebecca glanced at Joshua. As she took in the ruthless line of his jaw she shivered. This was an unforeseen complication: not that Joshua was to inherit half of the mill, as her grandfather had always told her that that would happen, but that Joshua was a strong and powerful man, instead of the malleable dandy she had hoped he would be.

The question now was, although she had known that Joshua was to inherit half of the mill, had he known that she was to inherit the other half?

She felt a shiver of apprehension. She would soon find out.

“"To my beloved granddaughter, Rebecca,"” went on Mr Wesley, “I leave my fob watch, in memory of the pleasure she gave me when she was learning to tell the time... and a half share in Marsden mill."”

She saw Hetty and Charles turn towards her in surprise, but it was Joshua's face that most interested her. As her eyes were drawn to his she saw his brows shoot up in surprise, before a ruthless smile curved his lip. He turned towards her and she quivered as felt the full force of his personality being brought to bear on her. His eyes looked deep into her own, and she saw them gleam, predatory, in the winter sunlight. But if he was challenging her, then so be it, she thought, for he this time he would not find her wanting.

At the sight of her straightening her spine an appreciative quirk touched the corner of his mouth, then he turned his attention back to Mr Wesley.

There were a few further legacies and bequests, then Mr Wesley folded the document and put it down on the table. That concludes the reading of the will. “Are there any questions?”

He looked from one to the other of them.

None were forthcoming.

Charles stood up. “Thank you, Wesley,” he said, taking charge, as the heir. “It was good of you to take the time to see us. But now I believe we must keep you no longer. If I could trouble you to have your clerk hail us a hansom? It was too cold for our carriage to wait.”