The Lord

The wealthy Lord Earl had gotten ill and close to death. He had not wed and had no children. The manor, the companies, and the clan has been ran by Sammuel. As he was orphaned as a child, Sammuel has no stake in the welfare of anything that he lived for. A branch off the family tree shows some kin in a northern territory........
Far north is a daughter and son that had been never recognized for their respective titles. Both are under the instruction of the same man who took Earl's wife. Both are to serve the noble family without question, everyday shown what could have been their's.
As Lord Earl had never talked about a family, the land and businesses may be given to his children, and Sammuel may have to let go of everything he worked for while the children get handed everything.
Could he be strong enough to defeat the children in the game of wit, or would he be left alone once Earl dies?