"Mother?" Hugh asked impatiently.
She turned and answered, "Yes?"
"The date is quickly approaching. I suggest you have MR. GRAVES draw up the appropriate papers so that you may sign them. If I have to bring up this nasty little issue again, YOU may find yourself without any place to go. This should have been settled weeks ago; quit stalling Mother."
Olivia nodded and turned in silence. As she closed the door, Hugh smirked just a bit. He recalled the day his father's will was read. Everyone had met in the parlor; they were waiting to see exactly what dear old Reginald had decided to with his money, power, and estate.
Mr. Graves sat avidly on the settee near the large bay window facing the gardens. He was tapping his fingers continuously on his pad of paper. Hugh, Olivia, Arthur and even a few of the servants entered - as it was mentioned that their names appeared in the last will and testament of Reginald Oliver Montgomery.
"Mr. Graves," Olivia asked, "would you care for some tea?"
"No, thank you, I must hurry for I have another appointment promptly at one o' clock; so, I musn't delay Mrs. Montgomery."
"Ah, okay then. Go ahead Mr. Graves," Arthur called from the mantel.
Mr. Graves rose and bid all of them be seated. He pulled his briefcase from the ground and propped it onto the roll-top desk in the corner of the room. He quickly removed some papers and begun shuffling through them.
"Ah, here it is. Now, your father and uh, husband changed his will right before his death actually. He didn't say why, but it was decided as so: Arthur, you shall receive the Ludlow Hill Estate and its surrounding acres which seems to total around 2,000 or so. Alfred Pennington is to receive the house in which he and his family reside. Mr. Montgomery saw it fit that you should no longer have to pay rent; it is yours to do with as you please even though it is on the Fallcrest estate and property title."
Alfred Pennington walked forward and took the deed from Mr. Graves. Clearly, he was shocked.
"Congratulations Alfred! My father thought very highly of you," Hugh clapped a hand on the butler's back, sending him forward slightly.
Alfred replied, "Your father was a good man; good to me and good to his word."
Sometimes those most worthy of love are not made happy by it. ~Dangeous Liaisons
It is on the strength of observation that one finds a way; so we must dig and delve unceasingly. ~Claude Monet 1840-1926