While he waited for his solicitor to step into the room, Roswell put his correspondence to the side and adjusted his white cravat.
His solicitor entered the room with a smile on his face. “Good afternoon, my lord,” Mr. Manley greeted cordially.
Roswell couldn’t help but notice that Mr. Manley’s bushy sideburns had recently been trimmed, drawing attention to the thinning hair on the top of his head.
“Thank you for coming so soon,” he said.
Mr. Manley sat in one of the chairs that faced the desk, putting his satchel on the other. “Your letter implied that it was most urgent.”
“It is.”
“How may I help you?”
Roswell leaned back in his chair. “My mother is hosting a young woman this Season who is in dire need of a solicitor.”
“Dire need?” Mr. Manley repeated. “It must be important, then.”
“It is,” Roswell replied. “Her father passed away, and I’m afraid the person who inherited his title refuses to honor the will.”
“What does the will entail?”
“According to Miss Bentley, she is entitled to a dowry of twenty thousand pounds and her mother is to receive a generous jointure.”
“Did Miss Bentley explain why her father’s successor refuses to honor her father’s will?”
Roswell shifted in his chair as he replied, “Yes, Lord Worthington intends to marry Miss Bentley himself.”
Mr. Manley raised his eyebrows. “Did you say Lord Worthington?”
“I did.”
A frown came to Mr. Manley’s lips. “My brother works as a solicitor in a village near Maidstone, and he’s heard of Lord Worthington’s unscrupulous dealings with his tenants.”
“That is disconcerting to hear, but it does give credence to Miss Bentley’s story,” Roswell said. “Do you think you can help her?”
Mr. Manley pursed his lips. “I can try, but I do fear it may be an impossible case.”
“How so?”
“I can go to the church probate court nearest to Maidstone and see if the late Lord Worthington filed his will with the court,” the solicitor said. “With any luck, we can obtain a copy of the will and petition the judge to force Lord Worthington to enforce the will.” Mr. Manley paused for a breath, then continued. “However, if the late Lord Worthington didn’t file his will with the church probate court, then it would be moot.”
“I understand.”
“Furthermore, there could be many reasons why Lord Worthington may not be enforcing the will,” Mr. Manley remarked. “If he could prove to the court that he doesn’t have the funds for Lady Worthington or her daughter, then the court will rule in his favor.”
“I don’t believe that to be the case.”
“I should warn you that nothing is stopping Lord Worthington from doctoring his books before submitting them to the court to ensure he wins the case.”
“That would be rather underhanded.”
“Unfortunately, it wouldn’t be the first time that has happened.”
Roswell frowned. “It sounds as if the odds are stacked against us.”
“I’m afraid so, my lord,” Mr. Manley said. “I just didn’t want to give you or Miss Bentley false hope, especially since we are dealing with someone who has a reputation for being dishonest.”
“Will you still see what you can do on the matter?”
