Promise of Pleasure by Cheryl Holt

Author:Cheryl Holt [Holt, Cheryl]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Tags: cookie429, Extratorrents, Kat
Publisher: Penguin Group
Published: 2010-03-16T22:00:00+00:00

“ARE you positive you want to proceed, Sunderland? I don’t think you should.”

“I don’t pay you to think, Mr. Thumberton,” Edward Winthrop, Lord Sunderland, said to his lawyer. “I pay you to act.”

“I realize that, but what if you sign this, then drop dead tomorrow?”

“What if I do?”

“When you’re looking down from Heaven, or up from Hell, as the case may be, I doubt you’ll be glad, but you won’t be able to change it.”

After Edward’s trek to Barnes Manor, he had redrafted his will. He’d cut off every penny, had tied up every piece of property. If he dropped dead, as Thumberton so darkly put it, Jordan would own a few mansions and some land that was entailed to the title, but he’d have none of the family jewelry, no furniture, no animals, no carriages, no farm equipment.

Most important, he’d have none of Edward’s money. Not a single farthing would be available to keep the assets in good repair, to make them thrive. Jordan would inherit an empty shell.

He hated to leave the boy in such terrible shape, but he would not give in to Jordan’s whims and misbehavior.

Edward refused to support his wicked habits, his disgusting friends, or that harlot, Lauretta Bainbridge. The Winthrop men had held the Sunderland title for twelve generations, and Edward would destroy it before he’d let Jordan fritter it away.

Over the years, Edward had tried to talk sense to Jordan, but there was no making him see reason. He’d tried bribes and gifts and threats, but Jordan simply wouldn’t listen, and Edward was tired of their bickering.

Jordan’s decision to wed that social-climbing ninny Felicity Barnes was the last straw.

Despite how Jordan wished it were otherwise, Edward was his father, and Edward would select Jordan’s bride— especially when the girl Jordan had chosen for himself was so inappropriate.

Edward would not be insulted or ignored. Nor would he have his heritage mocked.

Jordan would do what was proper, or he would rue it till his dying breath. If he found no benefit in the Sunderland legacy, then he could forever flounder in poverty with his lowborn companions.

So ... the new will would go into effect, Thumberton would post a letter notifying Jordan, and that would be that.

Afterward, he’d most likely never see Jordan again. The notion was depressing and maddening, but Edward was finished worrying about Jordan or his fate.

“Look, Sunderland”—Thumberton interrupted Edward’s furious reverie—“why don’t you reflect for a bit? Just to be certain.”

“I don’t need to reflect. My mind is made up.”

“Then there’s no hurry, is there? You can sign it today, or you can sign it next week. The words on the page will be the same.”

Edward threw up his hands. “Why do I keep doing business with you?”

“Because I give you excellent advice. Take it for once, will you?”

“No.”

“Sunderland ... Edward,” Thumberton said more gently,

“I’ve known you a long time.”

“Yes, you have.”

“So please listen to me: I’ve written many, many wills in my life. I’ve counseled many, many fathers. I’ve seen them do selfish, stupid things.

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