She had spent most of her life searching for a brother.
And almost immediately after finding him, she had watched him die.
I put Lily back to bed.
When I returned, Claire was standing exactly where I had left her.
“Why did Jack tell her?”
“He wanted Lily to know she had family.”
“And me?”
“He was afraid you’d try to help.”I almost laughed bitterly.
“Of course I would’ve helped.”
“Exactly.”
She looked at me.
“And Jack thought that would put you in danger.”
I sank onto the sofa.
“Tell me about the other heir.”
Claire sat opposite me.
“Our father had another son.”
“Jack’s brother?”
“Our half-brother.”
“Name?”
“Richard Vale.”
Something about the way she said it made the air feel colder.
“He’s older than us. Arthur’s son from his marriage.”
“Why would he care about Jack?”
“Because before we were found, Richard expected to inherit everything.”
