Page 5 of Craig

Craig felt the tension squeezing his heart at the smile on the man's lips.

"In another few minutes, I will have William come in with the revised will. But I will lay it down for you. Either you get married before I cock up my toes, or the entire thing goes to one or two of my favorite charities. And I mean everything."

Craig stared at the old man and wondered if it was possible to feel such hatred. Putting the glass down slowly on the antique cherrywood table, he faced the man who persisted in making his life miserable.

"You're bluffing."

Cecil inclined his head slightly.

"Like I said before, in a minute I will have William come back in. He has the documents, the new will and the old one. It will depend on you which one remains."

Craig felt his throat closing off and barely stopped his hands from shaking. He was determined not to show an ounce of weakness.

He wasn't going to show the old man an inch of vulnerability. He would rather die first.

"Why?" he asked hoarsely.

"I want you settled and focused. The company has been in my family for more than a hundred years; I'll be damned if I'll sit by and watch you dismantle it. There are clauses in the will, one of which is that you and your wife live here. I don't care who you choose, but that you make a choice, and you have a month to tie the knot."

"Are we to produce a child as well?" Craig asked caustically.

Cecil spread his arms. "I won't be around to see it."

He gave the young man a quizzical glance. "You're going to thank me for this later on."

"Oh, I strongly doubt that. What if I tell you to piss off with your ultimatum?"

A grim smile touched his mouth.

"You won't. You have plans for the money, big plans, and you won't allow pride or sheer obstinance to interfere."

He pressed a hand to his chest and closed his eyes briefly. For one fleeting second, Craig almost rushed over to him.

Then he opened his eyes and waved a hand.

"Don't look so hopeful. I'm determined to hang on until you find your bride and get married. Ah, here's the refreshment."

Craig managed to choke down the thinly sliced cucumber sandwiches and tiny frosted cakes as well as drink the coffee. The tray had been wheeled in by a maid he did not recognize.

William, of course, joined them and handed him the wordy document that was the new will. Craig did not need to consult a lawyer, because he had a double major in law and finance.

He read the document thoroughly, noting the ironclad clauses. It was there in plain language.

Everything would be his, only if he were married. On the day of the wedding, the entire fortune would be signed over to him.

He had read the document in the privacy of the lofty library while seated on the worn ruby-red sofa overlooking the rose garden. It had been his mother's pride and joy.

She had been happiest while puttering around and making magic with her green thumb. They had loved each other, Craig thought with a pang as nostalgia rose up to overwhelm him.

Despite the ruthless tyranny of his grandfather, his parents' love had flourished.

Craig recalled asking his father why he put up with being ordered around by the man. His father had simply smiled and responded in his calm and reasonable manner.

"Pops is set in his ways. We're very different, and he's not pleased that I'm not as driven as he is. My family tends to come first, and the company comes second. That does not sit well with him."

The grief, which he had believed had dulled over the years, threatened to engulf him. He had no one to turn to, and that much was obvious.

And he was trapped. He could sit here and read the document from cover to cover again, but it was perfectly obvious that he had no choice.