Heirly Ever After, Vernon, Magan [best thriller novels to read .txt] 📗

Madison, but it had been a desperate moment. Natalie had been suspicious and ready to come to Madison’s aid. And Gavin’s fiery gaze showed he’d been ready to kick me out, even though technically I had an invite…just addressed to Great-Grandfather.

I should have just come out and said that as the oldest MacWebley, I was rightful heir to the manor or part of it at least.

I would have if I actually had any other proof but a theory.

But even the theory was sketchy.

My parents and grandparents never said a word about trying to claim Webley, no matter how dire our circumstances were. I knew they’d asked for help at some point but got nothing in return.

Now I’d come in with a letter to storm the castle, as they say, but I still needed proof before I made my claim. I’d done many internet searches on manorial law, thinking that maybe that would spell out what the MacWebleys were owed as the original owners of the manor. But with the property being a wedding gift to the former Lady Webley from the MacWebleys, that crossed off a lot of things and left open a lot of questions.

I’d also tried to find contracts online, thinking surely those would be public domain, but nothing. That was why I was here, and hopefully I could find them hidden or buried somewhere in the manor.

Getting here was the hard part. Now it was time to get a little more information, and as luck would have it, Natalie was a historian. Between questioning her and pushing my cousin into revealing more about the Webleys, they’d point me in the right direction.

As we sat back down at the table, I forced the biggest smile I could as I turned in Gavin’s direction. “So, tell me, I’ve only seen older photos of Webley, but I’d love to know more about the place since you’ve become the lord of the manor. Did you get it passed down from your father?”

Okay, off to a start.

Maybe.

The man was like a fucking statue, barely even nodding his head and not a single movement of any of his facial muscles. “My aunt was the one who inherited the manor, and when she passed away, the manor went to me, but we’re still in the process of drawing up paperwork so that Natalie will actually own most of the property.”

I was glad I didn’t have anything in my mouth at that moment or it would’ve ended up dripping down his stoic face. Transferring the property to his wife? A commoner? Was that even legal?

From what I remembered, land could be passed down by a king or other nobility, but…

Blast.

Madison’s laugh broke me out of my own inner thoughts. “My sister was actually hired as the curator. That’s why she knows so much of the history of the place and all of the objects.”

Natalie nodded. “You should have seen it before I went through everything and cleaned it up.”

“Yes,” Gavin replied evenly.

“My late husband’s sister was what some might call a hoarder,” Lady Elizabeth whispered.

Gavin still didn’t smile. What was it going to take to get this guy to show a little crack in his exterior?

“Yes, Great-Aunt Sarah did have a lot of items, which is why Natalie worked with the historical society, and we’re preparing the north wing to become a museum.” He glanced at his bride-to-be, and there might have been a little hint of a smile on his face. “All Natalie’s idea of course, but not until after the wedding and honeymoon.”

Future plans for the manor?

So not only was she going to be the official owner, but now instead of just living there, they were going to share the family history with everyone? History that would probably just focus on the English side and not the Scottish?

Over my dead body.

Natalie and Madison’s mother started exchanging niceties with Lady Elizabeth, and I nodded when I was supposed to but mostly stared blankly at my teacup.

If I declared my intentions now and wrecked this wedding, I’d piss off Madison and the entire family.

But I needed to restore my family’s honor.

I just had to figure out the right way to go about it.

“Jacob.” Gavin’s crisp tone broke through the echo of noise around me.

I looked up to that statue-like face.

“Yes?” I asked, trying to keep my tone as neutral as his, hoping he didn’t see my fists tightly clenched under the table.

“Join me on the back porch for a drink while the ladies discuss wedding details.” It wasn’t a question; it was a command.

I could have stood my ground and said that I was there for Madison, but I also knew if I got some time one-on-one with my estranged cousin, I could get some questions answered. Like if he knew the MacWebley family was entitled to anything.

“Sounds grand.” I glanced at my date. “Don’t worry, I won’t run off. My cousin will make sure of that,” I said as I stood up then rounded the table to her side.

Leaning down, I pressed my lips lightly under her ear, feeling her suck in a deep breath beneath me. It was the first time I’d had my lips on her skin, and the searing electricity that coursed through me rendered my mouth dry.

“Don’t worry, I’ll behave,” I whispered.

“You’d better,” she muttered.

I squeezed her shoulder, not sure if that was the reassuring thing to do or if it was because I needed that one last touch. To remember who exactly I’d be hurting if I ruined this for her. I shouldn’t have even cared about a girl I barely knew, but the disappointment flaring in her eyes from our first meeting and then again in the hall was worse than her being angry. It was like a knife straight to the heart.

Gavin led the way, and I followed him from the parlor and out to a large veranda overlooking the green space with rolling hills that went as far as I could see.

“So, this is all yours?”