An Inconvenient Arrangement

Chapter 13: Sylvie and Rafe

This could not possibly be happening.

This could not possibly be happening to her. She hazarded a look at Raphael, who was equal parts shocked and grim.

"I'm sorry, I don't think I heard you correctly," her voice came out steady, small mercies. "The will says what?"

Thomas wouldn't have done this to her, he wouldn't!

"That custody of Miss Jane Heartwood has been granted to her Godfather in lieu of the fact that you are unmarried and your household income is less than the stipulated amount in his will," The lawyer announced with a grimace, clearly uncomfortable with her reaction.

"No." Sylvie rose out of her seat with much force. "No. I refuse. What are my legal options?"

"Unfortunately, Miss Heartwood, it is a father's right to appoint a guardian for his child. You have no grounds to contest it. Cases have been brought to the court of Chancery, but no lawyer would take yours because it's a guaranteed loss. Even if they did, the court is not too bothered by cases that do not involve significant property or at least significant people. That said, if the appointed guardian will allow you to raise the child, there should be no legal issue."

"But what must I do to keep custody?"

"The only way to guarantee that, Miss Heartwood, is to marry. And even in that case, you would have to marry someone who can provide better for Miss Jane than his lordship, since guardianship has already been transferred. Ideally, I would say that you and his lordship ought to make a match of it."

"Absolutely not," Sylvia and Rafe hissed in unison, though the arse had the gall to shoot her an offended look. "Over my dead body."

"I will give the two of you some......privacy to discuss the care of the child. I shall implore the two of you to understand that Miss Jane's welfare is the most important thing, not pride or inheritance," the lawyer told both of them sternly before he slipped out the door.

"Alright. Alright," Sylvie tried to take some calming breaths. "You heard him, you can stay guardian on paper and nothing needs to be changed. Now that that is sorted, I will take Jane back to Carlisle in the morning."

Raphael was silent a moment, looking lost deep in thought.

"No." He said finally, his tone brokering no argument. "Jane will stay with me, here in London. There is a place in my household for both of you."

"Raphael, I have work. I can't stay in London."

"Jane stays."

Sylvie looked at him in disbelief, wondering if she was living a nightmare. Why would Raphael do this to her?

"Rafe, you are not understanding what I am trying to tell you. I have to go back to Carlisle. Jane cannot stay here."

"Sylvie. I don't want Jane to leave London. I think the best thing for her is to stay with me."

She felt lightheaded. All her hopes and dreams, they were right within reach, her promotion was right within reach, and yet, he stood in her way? The man she considered her friend? The man she had always thought an ally?

"You don't know what's best for her!" She burst out fiercely, panic bubbling in her chest. "I am her mother. I am best for her."

"Then stay in London. I am not trying to keep the two of you apart."

The calmness with which he uttered such an ignorant sentence had her blood boiling. He wanted her to give up seven years of hard work without a single discussion!?