Chapter 161
The door shut behind her without a sound. The air inside was cold and still, empty enough to sting at the tip of her nose. Tension dried her mouth instantly. Careful not to make a noise, Vanessa turned the lock from the inside.
Even at midday, the curtained room was dim enough to require gaslight. She turned up the flame on the wall lamp, then slowly scanned the room.
This was the first time she had been left alone here since her father’s death.
The count’s study was the very heart of Somerset. Even seven years ago, when the Linden townhouse had been sold and even now, as everything had gradually begun to decline—it remained a place of unchanging significance.
Her ancestors had stored countless valuables here: land ledgers, wills, items too important even for the butler, treasures bestowed by the king… Of course, nothing was quite as it had been when her father was alive.
Even so, the room still had a sense of intimidation.
“……”
Vanessa stood before the massive mahogany desk.
Behind it, an entire wall was lined with bookshelves, crammed with documents and ledgers stuffed in without order. It felt like staring at a graveyard made of paper.
Finding what she needed in a place like this seemed nearly impossible. At least, she knew what she was looking for: the original will.
A valid will required three things. First, it had to be handwritten. Second, it had to clearly state the date and time of writing. Third, it needed a handwritten signature.
Which meant anything typed could be skipped without a second glance. Clean, newly written documents could also be ignored.
Vanessa quickly scanned several shelves, then moved on. Her fingers trailed along the spines before pulling out a few folders, checking them, and slipping them back into place.
‘This won’t work.’
Perhaps now was the time to use every ounce of imagination she had. At the same time, it was a matter of reason and deduction.
‘Think.’
If she were to turn her uncle Wyatt into a character in one of her novels… A thoroughly vile and malicious figure that ‘Miss Welsh’ would pursue.
The ‘Count’ was reckless, suspicious, fond of gambling and drink, driven by control and vanity. And above all, a man who would do anything to satisfy his own greed. If someone so cruel and deeply warped were to keep something precious for a long time…
‘He would keep it somewhere within reach. Somewhere he could check whenever anxiety crept in.’
The count spent most of his time in the study, his bedroom, and the adjoining library. He didn’t look like the master of the house, more like a watchman.
Like a greedy dragon guarding its treasure. And that treasure would be the will and the land deed tied to the title. He might have taken it out a few times recently, but he wouldn’t have handled it carelessly.
‘He wouldn’t mix it in with ordinary documents. Not someone so paranoid.’
Then would he carry it on his person? No. The count drank often, frequented gambling dens, lost things easily, and had even come back with torn collars and missing buttons after fights.
A man like that wouldn’t keep something valuable on him. Just like how the study key was now in her own hand. Then where would a man that suspicious consider the safest place in the world?
‘A safe.’
The count always locked the study when he left, perhaps because of a safe inside. It fit his personality perfectly.
Vanessa narrowed her eyes, surveying the wide room with attention.
A safe was usually large. Installing one required structural work and a considerable amount of money. The count might squander money on pleasures, but when it came to anything else, he begrudged even a single pence.
He had even delayed repairs to the castle. It was unlikely he would spend a large sum installing a new safe. If there had been one already, he would simply keep using it.
So where was it?
Her gaze slowly moved across the room, then stopped at one spot.
‘Not far from the desk.’
