Total pages in book: 53
Estimated words: 49458 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 247(@200wpm)___ 198(@250wpm)___ 165(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 49458 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 247(@200wpm)___ 198(@250wpm)___ 165(@300wpm)
The door closed behind him before she could come up with a snappy response. Why couldn’t she ever think fast enough to say something amazing? Essie took a sip of her coffee. She couldn’t look that bad. He would have commented on her appearance.
“Thanks for dropping by. Call next time,” she announced to the now empty room. That’s a pretty good response.
“You want me to call before make you breakfast?” Sara asked, walking into the room. She stopped and stared at Essie. Her eyes grew larger as she spotted the second coffee cup on the table. “You entertained company?”
Self-conscious, Essie lifted a hand to smooth her hair. “Is it that bad?”
“Oh, honey,” Sara said. “Did you sleep standing on your head? Esther ordered some fancy satin pillowcases one year. I’ll have to remember where I stashed those when Esther decided the wrinkle-preventing, hair-protecting silky fabric wasn’t worth picking her pillow off the floor each time it slipped off the bed while she slept.”
“I have wrinkles?” Essie said in horror.
“Of course not, Essie.” Sara leaned in closer to peer at Essie’s skin. “Well, not too many at least. You’re only twenty-eight. Let me make you something to eat, and you can get ready for your appointment with Mr. Woods.”
“That’s several hours from now.” Essie pointed out.
Sara didn’t comment but simply bustled around the kitchen. Soon, the entire room smelled amazing. As Essie devoured the delicious meal, she gathered her courage. She needed to read the letter before she met with the lawyer.
Remembering the burnt-out lightbulbs, she asked Sara, “Do you have any bulbs in the house? The last one in my bathroom died.”
“Oh, that explains everything,” Sara muttered. “I’ll bring some up for you.”
“Thanks, Sara.”
Halfway back to her room, Essie snapped her fingers in annoyance. Crap! She’d forgotten to confiscate Zander’s key. Shaking her head at the number of things that had gone wrong in one morning, she dragged herself back up the stairs.
Once back in her room, Essie climbed onto her messy bed with the envelope. She opened the flap, pulled out the missive inside, and smiled at her aunt’s beautiful handwriting filling the page. A few shaky spots caught Essie’s eye, cluing her in that her aunt had written this recently. Esther had always had the most elegant scrolling penmanship. Essie had tried for years to copy her graciously looping script.
My beloved Essie,
Thank you for being such a cherished part of my life. I would have loved to have had a daughter just like you if Edmund and I had been blessed with children. I’ll admit I secretly imagined you were my own.
Thank you for coming to stay with me when an old lady needed you the most. Your love and companionship made my last years so happy.
Essie paused to wipe the tears from her cheeks. She missed her aunt so much. Swallowing hard, she continued.
Ferguson’s Folly is yours. I hope you will adore our home as much as I have all these years. I’m guessing by the time you read this letter, Edmund will have started talking to you. Heed his words, but remember there could always be a secondary meaning.
Essie looked up from the letter and replayed her conversation with Edmund. Nothing had seemed secretive, but her aunt would not have mentioned that without a reason. Essie would pay more attention.
Here’s the bad news. Maintaining an estate the size of Ferguson’s Folly is expensive. After the expenses of taking care of Sara’s future and buying off Nelson’s plans to contest my Will, you may struggle with the finances. I am so sorry, Essie.
To give you an out, I did entertain Zander Templeton’s offer to buy the property. Take a few days to go over the finances and make the wisest decision for yourself. I will share that no zoning laws rule what can and cannot be done with the estate. The building and the land can be used for whatever purpose suits you.
Essie had trusted Zander wasn’t making up his arrangement with her aunt. Would Esther have allowed him to think the sale was imminent? Probably. She hadn’t enjoyed dealing with the nitty grittiness of business. Mr. Woods always handled the details for her. Essie could see her speaking to Zander about the possibility of the purchase without committing to it. On the other hand, Zander was efficient and concrete. If Esther spoke to him about selling, he might very well conclude it was a done deal.
If I could give you a small nudge in one direction, I’d remind you how much fun we had together doing special activities: tea parties, dances for your friends, birthday parties in the garden—even weddings for your stuffies. You are an extremely creative and brilliant young woman. Perhaps now is the ideal time for you to explore that wish you had to plan events. Ferguson’s Folly could become the perfect setting to create happiness for so many.