Lady: Impossible by Fraser B.D

Author:Fraser, B.D. [Fraser, B.D.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2013-04-05T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 18:

As expected Andrew does need more information, and part of that enquiry involves a valuation of all our assets. Friday brought a contact of his to our house, a stern man with no time for jokes or coddling. He conducted a methodical valuation, inspecting the building room by room before meeting with my parents in private to discuss his conclusions.

Needless to say, it was unnerving to observe. To us, the house is a family home, a place filled with history and sentimentality. To a valuer, it’s merely an assignment, a property to judge and assign a figure to. You can’t help but feel that they don’t understand.

The assessments didn’t stop there. The next assets on the agenda were our heirlooms, with an antique valuation expert coming in this morning to value just a portion of what we have here at the London house. I was at least privy to these figures, my parents comfortable enough to have me around as the lady from Sotheby’s did her best to get through everything in two hours.

From what I gathered, there was cautious optimism about the money this property and its chattels could fetch at auction, should it come to that. However, the real test will be the valuation of the estate: the grounds, the building, the furniture and precious inherited antiques. That’s where the big money lies, and it’s these valuations that they are trying to arrange now.

I pace outside the study, loitering when I really shouldn’t be. It’s ten past two, meaning my parents have been talking for at least an hour since we finished lunch. I’m not going to insist on being included, but I would like some sort of progress report, even if it’s nothing more than a series of cryptic one-line answers. Knowledge is power, and right now I’m low on both.

It’s difficult to accept that the estate’s sale is the number one – and seemingly only – viable option. It’s not just a matter of family history either. There are people who work there and have done for years, some for decades. To let everyone go with a redundancy package and a heartfelt goodbye seems wholly inadequate for their years of loyal service. It would be akin to ripping apart the very fabric of their working lives.

I know this has been wearing heavily on my father, a burden he’s been carrying around for some time now. The more I learn about the situation, the more harrowing it all gets. The best we can do now is to try to keep our spirits up as we continue with our plan.

I stiffen when I hear footsteps coming from the around the corner. It has to be Blair. While I should make an effort to at least acknowledge him, I instead decide to flee.

It’s futile, though. I’ve hardly taken three steps before he calls my name.

‘Lady Emilia?’

I wince and keep my back turned for now. We’ve hardly spoken since Wednesday. Blair’s cheery facade cracked on Thursday when my mother mentioned I had called Oliver of my own accord the morning prior.

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