Page 86 of The Mad Marchams

Most of them still have their tags on.

I don’t suppose you’ve come across any other leather goods, have you? Like wallets or handbags?

Mabel looked over at the open door of the closet.

There’s a whole section packed with them. I haven’t gotten to it yet.

The three dots bobbled around for so long that Mabel was down in the kitchen before Josie texted her again.

I’d love to see what you find in there.

Sure! As soon as I get permission from the family I’ll get back to you

Mabel made herself a cup of coffee in the unusually quiet kitchen. All the staff had gone out to the stable yard to offer their thoughts about how the café should operate. To start the place off, the W.I. were going to do the baking, and the Marcham staff would provide the counter service and clean-up brigade. Colin was paying them extra for doing so.

Mabel sighed into her coffee. He was such a good guy…

“Penny for your thoughts?”

She looked up to see Colin standing in the kitchen doorway. He had paint in his hair, and the knees of his new jeans had already worn through in patches, but his smile was as warm as ever.

“Hi!” She found an answering smile somewhere. “How’s the great cake war going?”

“They’ve narrowed it down to ten different kinds of cake, three types of scones, and six different sandwiches, so it’s going well. My grandmother is keeping a voting tally.” He sat opposite her at the vast kitchen table. “How’s it going in the countess’s suite?”

“Okay. Dale’s put me in touch with her friend, Josie, who works at Sotheby’s. She might be able to sell some of the stuff. If that’s what you want,” she added quickly. “Obviously it’s not my decision to make.”

“I doubt anyone here wants anything from the cupboards or they would’ve already taken it,” Colin said. “I’ll check in with Father and see if he’s okay about it.”

“Does he own everything in there?”

“I think he does. Neither he nor Brigitte made new wills after they separated and she left everything to him. I suggest you go ahead and sell as much as you can. It’s not as if we don’t need the money.”

“Josie seemed very excited by all the Hermès boxes and the designer clothing. Apparently, they might be worth something.” Mabel made a face. “Sorry, I’m talking about money again, aren’t I?”

Colin’s eyebrows rose. “Isn’t that my line?”

“To be perfectly honest, I’m not sure anymore. All I know is that whenever the subject comes up, one of us gets offended and we both end up miserable.”

“It is rather a sore spot.” He reached over and took her hand. “I’ve already told you how much I hated being dependent on my family, but watching the house come back to life has really made me think about things differently.”

“How so?” Mabel asked somewhat reluctantly.

“I didn’t ask for this inheritance, in fact it only came to me through tragedy, and for years I fought my ‘destiny’ with every breath. But I get it now. It’s mine, and there’s nothing I want more than to care for it and leave it to the next generation.”

“That’s… wonderful.” Mabel squeezed his fingers hard.

“I’ve being so busy worrying about the ‘burden’ of your money—which you also didn’t ask for but earned because you’re a genius—that I forgot I have my burden, too, this whole bloody estate.” He took a deep breath. “I’m sick of running away and if you’re willing to help with my problem why can’t I be okay with yours?”

Mabel looked at him. “Are you trying to say that my money is like your estate, something we can’t get rid of, and have to deal with on a daily basis?”

“Yes, something like that.”

“And that if I can accept your burden, you can accept mine?”

“Exactly.”

“I love that,” Her knees were shaking under the table, and she had a strange desire to cry because everything was going to be all right, she knew it in her soul.