purchase of your grandparents’ home.”
Fanny’s pulse quickened as she settled into one of the leather chairs. “So I still have an opportunity to purchase it?”
The old lawyer nodded.
“I was afraid my uncle had located a buyer and hadn’t passed along the details to Mr. Fillmore.” She clasped her palm to her bodice. “I can’t begin to tell you my relief.”
“I’ve been using another party, one I trust, as an intermediary in this transaction. I don’t want to tip our hand and have Jonas discover you’re involved. I’ve been told that your uncle is desperate for a quick sale. He’s apparently in need of cash, but real estate sales are nearly nonexistent at this time. To my knowledge he’s not had any offers. We can’t be absolutely certain, but I believe that if we offer him less than the asking price, he’ll accept out of desperation.”
This talk of finances and sales gave rise to an important question. “Have you examined the records closely enough to know if there are any funds maintained solely in my name? I’d prefer to pay for the house myself rather than rely upon your personal funds.”
“I haven’t visited the bank, as I didn’t want to alert Jonas. However, in going through the papers, it appears there are some funds that he hasn’t attached.” The lawyer tugged at his starched collar. “But I fear if you attempt to withdraw any of it, the bank will notify your uncle. Since you’ve never before attempted to access your inheritance, the bank would feel obligated to make an inquiry.”
“Even though I’ve attained legal age?”
The lawyer offered a sympathetic nod. “You’ve never notified the bank to withdraw his authority to act as your representative, have you?”
“No,” Fanny murmured. Mr. Rosenblume was likely correct. The bank officers wouldn’t permit her to withdraw money without notifying her uncle. “If you pay for the house from your own funds, how can my name be placed on the deed?”
“If you trust me, I have a proposal for you.”
Fanny gave the old lawyer her full attention. “I’m willing to listen to any idea you have.”
“The intermediary will act as our agent to purchase the house. Jonas will be told that the purchaser wishes to remain anonymous. He won’t care, as long as he gets his money,” Mr. Rosenblume explained. “I will pay for the house. You and I will enter into a contract. Once we manage to release any of your inheritance that your uncle hasn’t converted to his own use, you can reimburse me and the house will be yours.”
“But what if there isn’t enough . . . ?” She couldn’t bring herself to say the words.
Mr. Rosenblume patted her hand. “There will be enough. From all appearances he didn’t commingle all of the funds. He and Mr. Fillmore had a fairly detailed plan.”
“So you’ve completed your review of the files?”
“All but a stack of personal notes. Still, additional time will be needed to complete my findings.” He retrieved a stack of papers and pushed them toward Fanny. “If you have time, you could review these in the adjacent office before you leave.”
“Of course.” She followed Mr. Rosenblume into a small office that adjoined his. She wondered if this was where he escaped when he didn’t want to be bothered by the worries of the world. Though the room contained a small desk, it was the overstuffed brocade chair that captured Fanny’s attention. Situated alongside a large window that offered excellent light, it provided a perfect place to read a book. She strode toward the chair. “I believe I’ll sit here.”
“An excellent choice.” He padded back across the thick carpet, and a click of the door announced his departure.
Fanny settled into the chair, the bright rays of afternoon sun warming her as she sifted through the papers. An ivory envelope with a gold and blue seal in the corner captured her attention. Holding the corner between her finger and thumb, she gently pulled it from
Fanny’s pulse quickened as she settled into one of the leather chairs. “So I still have an opportunity to purchase it?”
The old lawyer nodded.
“I was afraid my uncle had located a buyer and hadn’t passed along the details to Mr. Fillmore.” She clasped her palm to her bodice. “I can’t begin to tell you my relief.”
“I’ve been using another party, one I trust, as an intermediary in this transaction. I don’t want to tip our hand and have Jonas discover you’re involved. I’ve been told that your uncle is desperate for a quick sale. He’s apparently in need of cash, but real estate sales are nearly nonexistent at this time. To my knowledge he’s not had any offers. We can’t be absolutely certain, but I believe that if we offer him less than the asking price, he’ll accept out of desperation.”
This talk of finances and sales gave rise to an important question. “Have you examined the records closely enough to know if there are any funds maintained solely in my name? I’d prefer to pay for the house myself rather than rely upon your personal funds.”
“I haven’t visited the bank, as I didn’t want to alert Jonas. However, in going through the papers, it appears there are some funds that he hasn’t attached.” The lawyer tugged at his starched collar. “But I fear if you attempt to withdraw any of it, the bank will notify your uncle. Since you’ve never before attempted to access your inheritance, the bank would feel obligated to make an inquiry.”
“Even though I’ve attained legal age?”
The lawyer offered a sympathetic nod. “You’ve never notified the bank to withdraw his authority to act as your representative, have you?”
“No,” Fanny murmured. Mr. Rosenblume was likely correct. The bank officers wouldn’t permit her to withdraw money without notifying her uncle. “If you pay for the house from your own funds, how can my name be placed on the deed?”
“If you trust me, I have a proposal for you.”
Fanny gave the old lawyer her full attention. “I’m willing to listen to any idea you have.”
“The intermediary will act as our agent to purchase the house. Jonas will be told that the purchaser wishes to remain anonymous. He won’t care, as long as he gets his money,” Mr. Rosenblume explained. “I will pay for the house. You and I will enter into a contract. Once we manage to release any of your inheritance that your uncle hasn’t converted to his own use, you can reimburse me and the house will be yours.”
“But what if there isn’t enough . . . ?” She couldn’t bring herself to say the words.
Mr. Rosenblume patted her hand. “There will be enough. From all appearances he didn’t commingle all of the funds. He and Mr. Fillmore had a fairly detailed plan.”
“So you’ve completed your review of the files?”
“All but a stack of personal notes. Still, additional time will be needed to complete my findings.” He retrieved a stack of papers and pushed them toward Fanny. “If you have time, you could review these in the adjacent office before you leave.”
“Of course.” She followed Mr. Rosenblume into a small office that adjoined his. She wondered if this was where he escaped when he didn’t want to be bothered by the worries of the world. Though the room contained a small desk, it was the overstuffed brocade chair that captured Fanny’s attention. Situated alongside a large window that offered excellent light, it provided a perfect place to read a book. She strode toward the chair. “I believe I’ll sit here.”
“An excellent choice.” He padded back across the thick carpet, and a click of the door announced his departure.
Fanny settled into the chair, the bright rays of afternoon sun warming her as she sifted through the papers. An ivory envelope with a gold and blue seal in the corner captured her attention. Holding the corner between her finger and thumb, she gently pulled it from
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