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‘There are rumours of a distant relative in Australia who would then inherit,’ said Lili. ‘I don’t understand, though. What about Carys?’
‘Well, that’s the thing. Under primogeniture, only the male line can inherit the estate.’
‘You’re joking.’
‘Uh-uh.’ Abigail shook her head. ‘Totally bonkers, but there you have it.’
Lili thought about it. ‘That’s why they said Lord Somerville daren’t take a DNA test – because they could lose everything.’ Lili was thinking about the kitchen staff commenting that Abigail shouldn’t count her chickens, meaning that if she thought she would marry Oliver and become the next Lady Somerville, she could think again if the truth ever came out. But how could it if nobody proved it? ‘I feel sorry for Oliver.’
Abigail nodded. Whether or not it was true about Lady Somerville, you cannot fail to see the different relationship Lord Somerville had with his daughter, Carys. It made Abigail wonder if Lord Somerville believed in his heart that Oliver wasn’t his son. Despite this, Abigail said, ‘It’s Carys I feel sorry for. She’ll inherit nothing. But I get the impression Oliver will look after her.’
‘Unless he doesn’t inherit the Hall.’
Abigail slowly shook her head. ‘You said yourself there’s no way Lord Somerville or Carys and Oliver would take a DNA test if they stand to lose everything.’
They fell silent.
Abigail glanced at her watch. ‘I think I had better crack on, otherwise we’ll be spending all the time I’m here chatting.’
Lili looked at the time, too. ‘Crumbs, I’ve got some deliveries to make.’
Abigail looked up at her. ‘I don’t know how you do it, running The Potting Shed and your landscaping business.’
‘It was Nate’s suggestion. I didn’t expect the landscaping business to take off and my first commission to be something so big.’
Abigail nodded at the reference to her landscaping job at the Hall.
‘My part-timer will leave for university in October. I don’t know how I’m going to cope without her.’ Lili grinned. ‘Want a job in The Potting Shed?’
‘What?’
Lili smiled. ‘I’m joking – kind of. You’ve already got a nice little number in the Hall. I heard they’ve offered you a permanent position.’
‘Where did you hear that from?’
‘Your sister.’
Abigail frowned. She hadn’t told Emily that. She stared at Lili, waiting for the inevitable question.
‘So, have you decided yet?’
‘About what?’
‘The position?’
‘I don’t know, Lili. It’s complicated, isn’t it?’
‘You’re talking about the cottage.’
Abigail was thinking about Oliver, too. It wasn’t a good idea sticking around. Somehow, she felt she was betraying Toby’s memory by falling for someone else. It just wasn’t right.
She looked sheepishly at Lili, knowing that if she told her all that, she’d remind her of Toby’s last home movie reel and the things he wanted her to find in her life.
‘Get shot of the cottage, Abigail, then you won’t have that complication.’
‘Yes, I think that’s my intention.’
‘Good.’
