Upon Your Return by Marie Lavender

goodbye. She did not understand why he would try to confront her. Two sides of her being warred with one another; the one that wanted to see him and the other that said she should not be with him in public.
    “I am here to escort you back to your home. There are matters of estate to discuss.”
    “Estate? You are not family!” She knew her tone increased and she looked around to be sure that everyone else had left the cemetery.
    “No, but at the moment, chère , I am your only protector. So do accept my offer with gratitude.”
    He left her no choice in the matter...society left her no choice. She let him take her hand and assist her into a carriage. When they arrived at the house, Grant made sure she was comfortable before he took his leave respectfully. His comment about discussing matters of estate had obviously been a way to keep her mind off of things. For a moment, she felt guilty for being harsh with him.
    * * * *
    Two days later, a man came to the house. Rosalie informed her of his presence and his request to speak with her. Fara had been absently brushing her hair before her vanity, staring into space. She did not know how long she had been in her room doing just that. Since her uncle's death, her mind had been in a lull, almost absent. She looked briefly in the mirror, noticed the pale cast of her face. She shook her head. It hardly mattered what she looked like; she was in mourning.
    After the news from Rosalie, Fara nodded to her nursemaid and went downstairs. She stepped into the salon. A stout man stood near the fireplace. She thought she recognized him from some business he had consulted with her uncle about in the house. “ Monsieur , you requested to see me?”
    His gaze swept her face and ended there. “ Oui, Mademoiselle . I am René Lumas. I am your uncle's lawyer.” He took a deep breath. “There is business to discuss. It seems you have been mentioned in your uncle's will.”
    “Regarding?”
    “Regarding your future, of course. I'm sure he meant to provide for you in the event of something like this…”
    She approached the man and sat on a nearby chair. “I…I could not be sure. You see, my uncle was a difficult man.”
    One eyebrow quirked upward, yet he nodded. “I am aware, but surely your uncle had a sense of propriety where his family was concerned.”
    Of course, she thought, so long as his proprietary actions benefited him alone. The lawyer watched her with apprehension, and she saw that countering his assumption would only annoy him. She forced a tight nod and a murmured agreement. “Is there some way I may help you, Monsieur ?”
    He frowned. “You wish to compensate me?”
    She flicked her hand with an air of dismissal. “Nothing of the sort. I only wish to know if there are legal matters to discuss.”
    “I see. No, that will not be necessary. I will return on Tuesday afternoon next week to read the will, and anyone who applies to your uncle's wishes will be present as well.”
    “Are there many others, Monsieur ?”
    “Only a few. I must be going now.”
    “That is all?” At his curt nod of dismissal, she countered, “Shall I show you out?”
    “No, Mademoiselle , that will not be necessary.” He began to exit the salon before she touched his arm.
    “ Monsieur ?”
    “ Oui ?”
    “Did my uncle…that is to say, might he have addressed the estate in his will?”
    “I cannot answer that. You will know the pertinent information on Tuesday just like everyone else.”
    “I see. Well, thank you, M onsieur. ”
    “ Oui . It is a pity, Mademoiselle , that such a grievous event caused this meeting.”
    “Indeed, a pity,” she agreed as he left the room. Was he truly regretful? He had spoken so matter-of-factly and avoided all of her attempts to gain any information about her uncle's property. The man probably thought she had no business being concerned. As if she was a mere possession.
    Fara clenched her fists, frustrated. All she wanted to know was the truth and if