Read into My Heart

Prologue

1882 Northumberland County, England

Why did he have to die?

Alexander Archer, at the age of twenty-one, had become the Earl of Carlisle. And how he dearly wished that it was not so. Sitting in front of his father's desk in his study, he stared out the window at gray skies and thought how fitting the weather was to his mood. His father had passed three days ago now, and it felt like the longest three days of Alex's life.

As the door opened behind him, Alex didn't even bother to turn to see who entered.

"My lord?"

Flinching at the use of the title, Alex looked to see John Parkinson, his father's steward. Or rather his steward now. Turning away with a scowl, Alex crossed his arms over his chest. "What do you want Parkinson?"

Ignoring Alex's tone Parkinson replied, "The solicitor will be here momentarily to read out your father's will. You should take your place behind the desk, as is your right."

Alex's scowl deepened. "I may have retained the title of Earl, but Father could have decided to leave Roseglen to Uncle Oliver to manage."

"Is that what you want my lord?"

Alex didn't know what he wanted. He did know that he didn't want everything his father had worked so hard for to fall to an uncle who had more mouth then sense. But Alex wasn't one to talk, not when he was even more incapable of managing an estate.

Thankfully he didn't have to answer as a short balding man with spectacles entered the room. Followed by him was Alex's mother, the now Dowager Countess, his Uncle Oliver and even Alex's cousin Harrison. Alex found it slightly odd that Uncle Oliver's son would be a part of these proceedings, but if his mother had no objection, then neither did he.

Standing up from his seat, Alex nodded in greeting. "Mr. Lewis. Please take the seat behind the desk, I think it will make it easier for everyone present."

Mr. Lewis hesitated for a moment before walking around the big mahogany desk and sitting down. Placing a briefcase on top, Mr. Lewis pushed his glasses back up his nose as he opened the case to retrieve the papers. "It has come to my attention that there may be some...discrepancy concerning who will inherit Roseglen. When the late Earl asked me to draw up these documents, he wanted it to be made perfectly clear who will be inheriting the estate and all of its holdings."

Alex spied his uncle shuffling his feet, but was it out of uneasiness? Or anticipation? Either way, he had no idea what the will held. The condition in which Alex suffered from was not unknown to Father. And Alex knew that his father took to running the estate very seriously, which was why it had flourished under his care.

Alex doubted Uncle Oliver would be a good overseer, knowing how poorly he had handled his own investments, resulting in Father having to lend a hand every now and then. But if his father felt that Uncle was better suited, who was Alex to argue?

Shuffling the papers, the solicitor continued, "The first article is stated as follows: 'At the time of my death, I, the Earl of Carlisle hereby pass down Roseglen, its attached properties and all of its financial holdings, to my son Alexander.'"

Alex let out a breath he didn't even know he was holding. But the feeling was short lived as his uncle had jumped out of his seat in agitation.

"This is outrageous. Alexander isn't even fit to be an Earl. Why the boy can't even-"

"That will be enough Oliver," the Dowager Countess interrupted, her gaze icy. "If Joseph believed that Alexander was capable of taking over the estate, then you can have no objection."

Uncle Oliver's nostrils flared as he stared down Alex's mother. "I think it is up to the boy to decide. After all, he may not even want the responsibility of Roseglen."

All eyes were suddenly on him. Alex gripped the armrests, sinking his fingernails into the leather to try and gain some composure. Rising from his chair, Alex straightened his jacket, stretching out the silence. Grasping his hands behind his back, he leveled his eyes with his uncle's. "If Father has decided that I am the one to manage the estate, then I will do so to the best of my ability."

His uncle didn't say anything, though Alex detected a slight tightening around his eyes like he was trying to figure something out. "Then we'll see how long you last, boy."