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“Then aren’t you lucky I saved you the job?”
“More like you didn’t trust me to call you.”
“I’m glad we’re on the same page,” Gramps said. “You should be aware that your aunt is trying to set Francesca up with Anthony Grandstein.”
I was sick and tired of hearing that damn name.
“Why is she doing that? I thought she’d try to set her up with Henry. Isn’t he the eldest?”
“Mm. It seems he’s not interested in inheriting his father’s title, so Rupert is naming Anthony as the heir to the viscountcy once Henry officially renounces it.”
“Which is why Aunt Caroline is setting them up. Is Fran even interested in Anthony?”
“I think she’s interested in anyone that can provide her a lifestyle in which she doesn’t have to work,” Gramps said flatly. “I tried warning your aunt that I don’t think the Grandsteins fit the bill with their current business woes, but she isn’t listening.”
“When has she ever listened?” I asked. “Are the Grandsteins happy with that arrangement?”
“Given that Rupert sent an official marriage proposal to me for you and Emily, what do you think?” He raised his eyebrows. “He’s old-fashioned, and from what I know, Anthony is happy with the arrangement. Seems he had a crush on Fran when they were in school.”
I tapped my fingers against my knee. “I remember that. He asked me to introduce them, but she wasn’t interested.”
“She is now.”
“I suppose that has nothing to do with him becoming his father’s heir.”
Gramps’ eyes twinkled. “Funny how things change, isn’t it?”
“Something like that. Why are you telling me all this in person? Couldn’t it have been done on the phone?”
“I’m warning you because I suspect ill intentions from both your aunt and Rupert Grandstein,” Gramps said. “There’s only so much I can do when it comes to the business. I believe Rupert is trying to tie their family to ours in the hope we’ll invest again, and your aunt will do the same. She’s been on the warpath ever since I rewrote my will.”
I paused. “You rewrote your will?”
“Mm.” He sipped. “I changed it so those useless louts she calls her children won’t get a penny off me until they turn forty-five. She almost threw a chair through the window when I told her.”
Was that even legally possible? “Did you apply the same condition to my inheritance?”
“No.”
“That’s why she almost threw a chair through the window, Gramps.”
“No, she almost threw a chair through the window because she has anger issues.”
“She thinks you favour me.”
He grinned. “I do favour you.”
“You can’t say that out loud.”
“Why not? If she wanted me to favour her children, she should have taught them not to be such lazy little bastards,” he retorted hotly. “Besides, you’re their heir to both my business and my title. The title by birth, but the business because you’ve worked for it. They haven’t. Why should they reap any of the rewards of your hard work until they’ve done something with their own lives?”
He made an excellent point—not that I would ever tell him I was agreeing.
“How did you find out what Aunt Caroline is doing?” I asked.
“She told me.” He rubbed his nose. “Then had the audacity to ask for my blessing if they decide to get married.”
I was a little afraid to ask this, but… “What did you tell her?”
