London
A diamond heiress?
Evy could hardly believe her ears as she sat across the coach from Anthony Brewster. The horses plodded along London’s cobbled streets into the swirling gray fog. He had called for her that morning to take her out in the coach for a ride and “a serious conversation.”
Serious indeed! She had just been informed she was an heiress in the diamond mines at Kimberly, on equal footing with the Chantry children, Parnell, Rogan, and Arcilla. Evy was dazed. She hardly noticed that it was growing dim inside the coach due to the thick fog. She looked across at the rugged South African.
“I’m sorry it was necessary to shock you like this,” Anthony Brewster said, concern etched on his face.
She shook her head, trying to comprehend the meaning of what she had just learned. “I didn’t realize the van Buren family shared the ownership of the mines. It hasn’t been that long since I learned I was a van Buren, and now it’s even more surprising that I am actually considered an heir.”
He nodded his head gravely that he understood her confusion.
“I can’t say even I understand it all myself, Evy. Sir Julien is the one who controls these matters, and it hasn’t been his purpose until recently to divulge this.”
She noticed the unpleasant tone to his voice, making her wonder if there could be some kind of disagreement between them. She had always heard that Anthony Brewster was like a son to Julien Bley.
“Carl van Buren and Sir Julien had been partners in the early days of diamond discovery. They shared equal ownership. But after your grandfather Carl’s death, Carl’s closest relative, a cousin, sold out the van Buren family interest to Sir Julien. At the time Julien was a friend of Cecil Rhodes and others who already had diamond mines. Eventually, Julien bought in with Mr. Rhodes in buying up other diamond mines, forming what today is De Beers Consolidated. So you see, the van Burens made a grave mistake in selling early on to Julien.”
Anthony went on to explain her inheritance, but from what she could grasp of all that he was telling her, she had no real control over her diamond shares. Sir Julien had final authority until she reached her maturity, which included marriage. Evy’s heart sank. Whether or not she gained control depended upon a “suitable” marriage. Sir Julien, of course, would have final say in determining suitability, which would ultimately depend upon how well the bridegroom fit into the Company.
“What would happen to my inheritance if my marriage was not deemed suitable? “she ventured to ask Brewster.
“Then legal control of your portion remains under family control.”
He had said this in a matter-of-fact tone.
“But,” he added, “regardless of that, Evy, you will always have sufficient finances from which to draw. You will be well taken care of, now and in the future. You will have a sizable allowance. Sir Julien has had his lawyer, Mr. Howard, set up a fund from which you may draw expenses at any time. I’m confident you’ll find it more than adequately meets your wishes.”
The facts ran crazily around her mind.
“Mr. Brewster, I don’t know what to say to all this, really. I’m not going to marry to please Sir Julien Bley.”
“My dear Evy, there’s no cause to jump into this now. Of course no one in the family, including Sir Julien, wishes to force a match with a gentleman you don’t approve of. The important thing now is that you continue to grow stronger.”
For some reason she believed him. Anthony Brewster seemed kind, and his sympathetic smile and grave eyes made her feel…protected.
“We all think you should remain at Chantry Townhouse for the foreseeable future. Do you miss Grimston Way very much?”
Evy had to admit she didn’t. Nothing seemed the same there, since childhood relationships no longer existed. Arcilla, Rogan, Derwent—they were all gone from her life, far off in South Africa. Except for Mrs. Croft, there were few ties that rooted her to the village. And then there was the incident she had yet to mention to anyone. She tensed, remembering, but he did not seem to notice.
She could easily have told him that she had no intention of returning to the cottage to live. Especially now, while she was dependent upon crutches. The thought of being there alone and unable to get around quickly sent a chill up her spine.
“Someday I’ll wish to go back to teaching piano because music means so much to me, but as to where I’ll reopen a school, I don’t care to think about that now.”
“That’s well understood. I’m told you are quite talented. Someday perhaps you will play for me.”
She smiled. “I will enjoy doing so, Mr. Brewster.”