The Paradise Will (30 page)

3rd December 1817

Hawkscote Hall, Dorset

My dearest Alyssa

I fear I have little time left and am therefore writing this while I can still commit words to paper.

First, I ask you do not shed tears for me. I have lived a long and varied life, and my only regrets have been for those events sadly out of my control – the early demise of my beloved wife and that we were not blessed with children.

I am certain there will have been times when you wondered if Uncle Tom was drunk or not of sound mind when he wrote his Last Will and Testament. I assure you I was neither, to which Ezekiel Bartley will testify. The idea came to me quite suddenly one day when I was musing over how much pleasure I took from my conversations with Sir Giles.

Due to circumstances, you never had the opportunity to meet him hitherto, but I have come to know him well. He is a man I respect for his business acumen but I also admire his sense of humour and his honourable principles. It struck me forcibly that you and he might be well suited. Extremely presumptuous of me, I know, but I began to wonder what would happen if I were to take the role of matchmaker? I could set in motion events that would at least oblige you to meet regularly and thereafter, the outcome would be whatever the fates decided.

This mischievous idea took firm hold and I devised my extraordinary will. Its purpose was to secure your financial future and that of Hawkscote, and to act as a means of putting you and Gil into each other’s company. I did not believe either of you would refuse the challenge, however in extremis you considered my actions.

Unless I am granted an opportunity to view events from the afterlife, I have no way of knowing the result. If I am proved wrong and you feel ambivalence, or even dislike, then accept my sincere apologies for meddling outrageously in your affairs; I hope you both bear me no lasting ill will. However, I have the unshakeable notion that you will grow fond of each other, and might even fall in love. I pray my instincts have served me well and hope nothing will stand in your way if you discover that you care for each other. In that event, I rely on your mutual ingenuity and good sense to deal with other, ultimately insignificant, matters.

I wish both of you happiness. Remember me with a smile and cherish, as I always have, the delightful times we shared.

Your loving uncle,

Tom