Page 149 of Doxy for the Ton
“Mr. Stockton,” she said, rising. “I wasn’t expecting you.”
“Evidently,” the solicitor said, glancing toward Mr. Wade.
“Forgive my manservant, Mr. Stockton—he’s a little cautious.”
Stockton nodded. “A sentiment that does him credit. It’s a sensible man who proceeds with caution, and I always advise caution over the alternative. Besides”—he turned toward Mr. Wade and smiled—“a man is to be admired when he wishes to protect the woman he serves.” He stepped inside, his cane tap-tapping on the floor, then took Mimi’s outstretched hand and bowed over it. “Or is it old-fashioned of me to say such a thing to an enterprising young woman like yourself?”
“Not at all,” Mimi said. “Would you like tea, Mr. Stockton? Or something a little more…warming? I have no brandy, but there’s a very passable port—a gift from Lady Radham.”
“My days of indulging in port are over, I’m afraid, my dear,” Stockton said. “My doctor advises against anything I might find pleasurable. But I wouldn’t refuse tea.”
“I’ll send Betsy along, ma’am,” Mr. Wade said, then he bowed and closed the door.
“To what do I owe the pleasure, Mr. Stockton?” Mimi asked.
“I have some news for you.”
“Couldn’t you have written? I hate to think of your enduring the journey here.”
“It’s barely ten miles, my dear. Besides, my doctor advocates country air and exercise. And I particularly wanted to convey this news in person. It’s somewhat…extraordinary.”
Mimi’s stomach fluttered in apprehension. “Is there something wrong with the finances for the school?”
“Quite the contrary. You see, you’ve been gifted a property.”
“A property?”
“A townhouse, to be exact. In Brighton.”
“Brighton?”
“The contract was signed last week.” He drew out a sheaf of papers from his pocket and handed it over.
Her hand trembling, Mimi took it, but her vision blurred as she tried to read the first page.
“It’s the deed to number 10 Royal Crescent,” Mr. Stockton said.
Mimi caught her breath.
My former home. Where I lived with…
She blinked, and a tear spilled onto the parchment.
“I’m holding the original deed for safekeeping,” the solicitor said, “but I wanted to bring you this copy in person, so that you might accept it as the truth.”
“Why?”
“Because it’s rightfully yours and has been for some years.”
“But you said the contract was signed last week,” Mimi said.
“It’s legally been yours only for a few days, but it was yours by right when the original benefactor bequeathed it to you.”
“The original…”
“Earl Mayhew,” he said. “The seventh earl, that is, not the present one.”
Mimi’s cheeks warmed with shame. She glanced up to see him staring at her, kindness and compassion in his eyes.
