He gave her a small smile, gesturing to his side. “Do you remember Mrs. Perkins, my wife? Please don’t hesitate to ask for anything you need.”
“You may wish to retire to your rooms and rest for a bit after our travels,” her brother interjected. “We will meet for dinner at 7:30 in the family drawing room.”
“Actually, I am not tired at all, Lord Dunhaven,” Josephine replied, gazing at him. Her brother appeared marginally improved after his rest on the train, and they had much to discuss. “I would like to speak to you in the study, if you please.”
Her brother hesitated for two seconds before conceding her request with a resigned nod.
“Follow me, please.” He turned and shuffled down one of the corridors opening from the entrance hall.
She looked at her friends. “Will you accompany me, please?”
“Of course,” John said, inclining his head.
She breathed a sigh of relief. Their support meant a lot to her, and it was important that they listen to this conversation.They followed her brother down the hallway and into his study. The windows were open to the side of the lawn, and the late afternoon sunshine spilled onto the floorboards.
“I wish to speak to you about my compensation for looking after your son,” she said without preamble.
Her brother looked pained. “It is not compensation, Josephine. Merely your inheritance.”
“Call it what you will, but I wish to negotiate it now, with my friends as witnesses, and I will ask Lord Ardmore to suggest a trustworthy solicitor to draw up the terms.”
John inclined his head. “Of course, Lady Josephine.”
Her brother sighed and sank into the chair behind the desk. She and John took the chairs in front of it, while Alice wandered around, exploring the room with feigned disinterest.
“I will double your dowry, plus I will settle a house on you,” her brother said, no doubt feeling his offer was very generous. He had no idea of her demands.
“How much did the pasha give you for my purchase?” she countered.
“Josephine! Really, there’s no need to be crass,” her brother protested.
“I have no wish to mince words, Lord Dunhaven. You may call it what you will to appease your fragile conscience, but I’ll call it like it was. I seem to remember that your debt to him was close to ten thousand pounds. Plus, I believe he gave you money to settle your other debts. How much in total?”
“It was such a long time ago. I don’t remember the exact amount.” Dunhaven’s eyes shifted this way and that, his finger pulling at his necktie. “How much? An approximate amount will suffice.”
“About twelve thousand,” he finally muttered, avoiding all their gazes.
“I want double that amount.”
At that, her brother’s eyes bulged, and she had the impression he would have shot up from the chair had he had the energy to do so.
“Double that! But that is… that is…”
“Twenty-four thousand pounds. Yes. And I don’t want it as a dowry, as I am unlikely to ever marry. I want the money transferred to me outright. Free and clear. To my own bank account, for me to use how I see fit.”
“But women don’t manage money!” her brother protested. She heard an unimpressed scoff from Alice.
“This woman does. And that is not all. The house you said you were going to settle on me?”
“Yes?” She took grim satisfaction in seeing her brother squirm.
“I want the Turnbridge Estate.”
“The Turnbridge Estate! But that is the second most profitable estate after the earldom’s main seat. What would a woman do with such a large estate? You know nothing of its management. You will run it to the ground. I was thinking of giving you a house in London. Wouldn’t that be more to your liking? Live in town and not have to worry about managing an estate?”
“No. I want an income-producing estate. I will learn to manage it. It can't be too difficult. You do it.”
The insult turned her brother’s face an unbecoming shade of puce. She saw John attempting to cover a laugh with a cough, while Alice smiled widely and nodded to her.
