Leigh held his gaze without blinking. No one said a word.
“The packets I just handed each of you contain copies of the agreement set forth between your grandfather, Dennison Barkley Hart, and this firm. There is a copy of his will as well as a copy of the one we have on file from your mother, Amy Lynn Hart Thomas.”
“What about Marcus?” Eden demanded sharply.
“I’ve included that as well. However, it is a very old will and it might be a good idea to be certain he didn’t have another will drawn up somewhere else that might supersede this one.”
“Ridiculous. This was the family firm.”
But Marcus had never been part of the family in any real sense. Leigh looked to where Eden sat stiffly in the soft leather chair.
“I’m sorry, Mrs. Thomas. I checked our records thoroughly. This is the most recent will we have on file for him.”
Eden leaned forward. “Let’s get something clear right now, Mr. Jarret, this is a community-property state and I’m not going to be done out of what’s mine. My husband was married to Amy Hart for more than twenty years and he didn’t divorce her until after she disappeared. He’s entitled to half her estate because they were married when she disappeared.”
“Mrs. Thomas—”
“I intend to contest Amy’s will if you attempt to cut me out of what’s mine,” she continued angrily.
“That’s certainly your right, Mrs. Thomas. But I will tell you that these wills were set up to withstand just such a challenge. If you’ll look—”
Her expression turned sly. “I doubt Amy’s will allowed for the fact that she wasn’t in her right mind.”
Hayley leaped to her feet. “How dare you!”
“I mean no disrespect, Hayley,” Eden lied, “but everyone knows your mother was devastated by her father’s death. Even the police think that’s why she disappeared in New York City. She was too upset to be as careful as she should have been.”
Bram laid a hand on Hayley’s arm as Gavin’s rough voice swung every eye in his direction.
“Amy Thomas’s mental health makes no difference to the Heartskeep estate.”
“Of course it does. As her husband, Marcus was entitled to at least half of her estate.”
“Before we dispute that, let me explain that Amy Thomas’s estate did not include Heartskeep,” Gavin said smoothly.
Eden paled. “What are you talking about?”
“Mother, if you’d be quiet and listen for five minutes, we’d all know,” Jacob burst out.
Eden gaped at her son, as surprised as the rest of them by his uncharacteristic outburst. Bram tugged Hayley back down in her seat and kept a firm grip on her arm.
“Prior to his death, Dennison Hart was under a doctor’s care,” Gavin told them. “A sworn statement is included attesting to his mental state at the time this will was signed and witnessed. The conditions and bequests set out are quite explicit. Amy Hart Thomas was disinherited the day she married Marcus Thomas.”
“That can’t be!”
“I’m afraid it is, Mrs. Thomas. That clause was never revoked, even though Mr. Hart’s will was revised several times since the original will was drawn up. Amy was to have a generous allowance for as long as she lived. Heartskeep and its grounds were left in their entirety to Amy’s firstborn child, in this case, Hayley Hart Thomas.”
“This is outrageous!” Eden jumped to her feet. Her plump, stubby fingers curled into tight fists of anger. “My lawyer will be looking into this.”
“Of course, that’s certainly your right. I was going to advise you to seek legal counsel of your own. My card is enclosed,” Gavin said calmly. “Have your attorney call me with any questions.”
“Mother, sit down and let the man finish,” Jacob told her.
She rounded on her son, her face bright crimson. “I know collusion when I hear it,” she snapped. “They won’t get away with this.”
Eden stormed from the room, clutching the packet to her chest. Jacob rose as well, looking acutely embarrassed. “I’m sorry.”
“You don’t have anything to apologize for, Jacob,” Hayley told him.
“Thanks. I’d better go see to her.”
There was a moment of silence as he left, closing the door with a soft snick.
“I was under the impression that the terms of your grandfather’s will were general knowledge,” Gavin said.
“I thought so, too,” Hayley responded. “Mom and Grandpa told us a long time ago how the estate would be handled. Marcus knew. I know he did.”
“I guess he forgot to mention it to Eden,” Leigh said.
Gavin held her gaze. She felt a moment of vertigo as her stomach muscles contracted.
“According to Mr. Rosencroft, it was Dennison Hart’s wish to keep Heartskeep intact within his family. He went to considerable lengths to set up trusts to ensure that the estate would be protected.”
“From Marcus?” Hayley asked.
Gavin shifted in his chair. When he spoke, his tone was deceptively mild.
“From anyone who might seek to take it away. Ira said you’d understand your grandfather’s misgivings.”
“Absolutely,” Hayley agreed bitterly. “What I’ve never understood is why Mom married Marcus in the first place. What happens if I decline to accept the estate?”
Leigh gasped. Even Bram looked startled.
“What are you saying?” Leigh demanded.
Bram gripped Hayley by the shoulders, forcing her to look at him. “Don’t do this, Hayley. Not because of me.”
Leigh knew that Hayley’s wealth and Bram’s lack of money had been an issue for Bram from the start. Given her sister’s nature, she should have expected something like this.
“That’s not it, Bram. Honest. I want Leigh to have the house. I don’t even like the place anymore.” She shuddered. “And not just because of what happened.” Hayley looked at Leigh. “It stopped being home for me the day Mom disappeared. I can’t see myself ever living there again. Look, I’d hate to see it fall into any further disrepair, but if you refuse to take it on, that’s probably exactly what will happen.”
“But no pressure, right?” Leigh asked. “What makes you think I want that albatross?”
Gavin leaned back in his chair and regarded them. “Well, this is something Ira and Dennison didn’t foresee. Are you sure about this, Hayley?”
“Positive.”
“Leigh?” he asked.
“I…don’t know. I never gave any thought to owning Heartskeep. Mom always said it would belong to Hayley one day. That was fine with me. I mean, what am I going to do with a place that size?”
“Well, for one thing,” Hayley said, “since Eden already hired R. J. Monroe and his crew to repair the fire damage, I think we should have him tear down those walls upstairs and put the house back the way it was designed.”
“Hold on a minute,” Gavin interrupted. “Let me be sure I understand your position, Hayley. You definitely want to decline your inheritance?”
“As