Page 96 of Once Upon a Devilish Duke

Barlow smiled. “Is that because you dismissed him also when he questioned your ideas on how things should be done, perhaps?”

“I am the earl. He should do as I say.”

“I believe the former land steward has signed a statement, Your Honor.” Barlow then turned. “I have no further questions for now.”

Cecil shoved at the door of the witness box, stumbling out of it and pointing his finger at Rose, but he said nothing when his barrister cautioned him.

Rose had sat through the questioning of her brother in silence. Edward had whispered in her ear, “Let him dig his own hole.”

The judge was handed a note, and he banged his gavel to hush the crowd above who had erupted in commotion. “Mr. Wittiker is here and will take the stand.”

The elderly man walked in and went straight to the witness box. Barlow stood and moved to the side of the box. “Mr. Wittiker. How long were you the solicitor for the late Lord Brookhaven?”

“I worked for him for thirty years,” he said, his voice shaky with age.

“And in that time did you ever find him a reckless or rash man?”

“No. He was as steady as they come.”

“So, was it a shock to you that he asked you to change his will?”

“No, it often happens when a spouse dies.”

“So, he changed it after Lady Brookhaven died?”

“Yes, it was a couple of months after her passing.”

“And what were his instructions to you?”

“That he wanted to ensure that his children were taken care of. He of course passed on all his property and accompaniments to his son, as was right.”

“And what did he instruct when it came to his daughter, Lady Rose?”

“He was very particular when it came to her. He insisted that she be given a decent allowance and a good dowry.”

“So, this was before he fell ill?”

“Yes. He came to see me in my London office. I believe he became ill about six months or so after that.”

“Do you know why he insisted on such a generous allowance?”

“Not really, only that he knew that his heir and his daughter did not see eye to eye on things and that it would be better if she was to go off on her own, if that was her wish. He wanted to make sure she could set up a home somewhere that was not Brookhaven.”

“Thank you.”

Cecil’s barrister then stood.

“Do you believe that in changing his will that Lord Brookhaven had wanted to punish his son?”

“Punish him? For what?”

“For wanting to do things in his own way?”

“He mentioned no ill will towards his son at the time of the signing of the will.”

“But wasn’t taking the responsibility of his daughter away from his son a way of telling him that he did not trust him?”

“I suppose it could be taken that way. As I said, he did not discuss his relationship with his son with me. I simply wrote down his wishes.”