Page 32 of Suddenly a (The St. Clairs 5)

“You know I do. You are the heart of the St. Clair family. I owe so much to you. But I don’t love you out of any sense of obligation. I love you because you are my Cor.” Tears brimmed in his eyes.

“Free yourself, Hudson,” she urged. “You keep so much inside you. Liberate those feelings. Find a woman to love. To share your innermost thoughts. One you will have to share the good and the bad. Hold her dear. Raise a family with her.”

He’d merely nodded to appease her. She hadn’t been able to say much after that. Rachel had awakened and insisted Cor take another dose of morphine. Cor allowed it to be administered. Hours later, she died peacefully.

He walked with Laurel and Anthony to the graveside. The clergyman said a few words and offered an eloquent prayer before they returned to the house. The St. Clair families alone would have filled the drawing room but several others had turned out for the funeral. Close family friends. Locals from the nearby town. Everywhere he turned, Hudson was offered sympathy and compassion. It seemed everyone present knew the world had lost a great lady—and how that loss affected him most of all.

Finally, those outside the immediate family made their goodbyes. He felt worn to the bone, so weary that he considered going up to his room to bed, even though it was only six o’clock in the evening. Instead, Luke came to him.

“We’re to gather in the library with Davidson,” his brother shared. “The five grandchildren. He wants to read Cor’s will.”

The five St. Clair siblings arrived to find the solicitor waiting for them.

“Have a seat,” he said.

Though tired, Hudson was too restless to sit and went to stand next to the fire while Jeremy, Rachel, Luke, and Laurel all sat.

“Cor wanted you to be together to hear the terms of her will,” Davidson began. “I will read her words to you.”

He didn’t want anything from Cor. She had given him pieces of her that he would always carry in his heart. Still, he politely listened as the solicitor began to read.

“I, Cordelia St. Clair, Dowager Duchess of Everton, wish to say a few things.”

Everyone, including Hudson, chuckled. It sounded so like Cor.

“I have lived a full life. Not always exemplary, but one I enjoyed a great deal. I hope all of you will live and be as happy as I have been. I know custom says you should mourn me but I’ve never been one to stand upon ceremony so I forbid it. Do not be sad to see me go. Instead, celebrate my life by living yours to the fullest.”

Yes, it was very much Cor. Hudson agreed with her. Though her loss saddened him, he would choose to remember all the good times between them. He would take out cherished moments and examine them upon occasion for all the years to come.

He listened as Davidson went through a litany of gifts Cor bestowed upon each grandchild and great-grandchild. Naturally, it took a while with so many being recognized. Various family members received a book. A scarf. A painting. A pair of earrings. Hudson knew each item would hold significance for its recipient.

“Beyond this, everything I own is intended to go to my grandson, Hudson St. Clair.”

He stiffened, wondering what his siblings thought of this.

“All of my grandchildren, besides Hudson, have wed. They have spouses and homes and wealth so I am certain they will not begrudge Hudson receiving more than they have. Hudson, I hope you are still listening at this point.”

He could feel the eyes of his four siblings upon him. He stared straight ahead at Davidson.

“Now that I have your attention, I want you to know that I am giving you Meadowbrook. You and I have spent many happy times at this estate, which I brought into my marriage and which remained in my control upon the insistence of my father. Since it is only ten miles to the north of Eversleigh, you will always have family close by.

“I also give to you any wealth which I have accumulated over the years. Much of it has been at your hands since you seem to be a wizard at making money, much as Jeremy was when he first became Duke of Everton. The other men in the family hold estates and titles. I have no title to pass on to you but I wanted Meadowbrook to be in your hands so you have a home of your own.”

Hudson was thunderstruck. Since he managed Cor’s money, he knew exactly the amount the will would bring to him. As for Meadowbrook, he had loved the manor house from the time Cor had taken him there. It was a wonderful size and on a pretty plot of land in Kent. It wasn’t a large enough estate to house tenants but Cor did have a man who bred horses there for her. It thrilled him that he would now lay claim to his own estate, thanks to his loving grandmother.

“There is one simply act you must complete, however, in order to fulfill the terms of my will and gain both the money and the estate. You must wed, Hudson. You are a man who knows himself well and has never had trouble making up your mind. Because of this, I require you to marry no later than sixty days after the reading of my will. If you are wed by the end of that sixtieth day, everything is yours. If this hasn’t been accomplished, Meadowbrook will go to Lady Delia St. Clair, my namesake, and any monies to the Linfield School.”

Mr. Davidson added, “Family is everything, Hudson. Find a bride. Have children. Live long and love well.” The solicitor paused. “That’s the end of it.”

“It’s blackmail!” Hudson exclaimed. “Pure blackmail.”

He stormed from the room.

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