He knew you to be an heiress with a sum of money in your own right, which he could only hope to touch through marriage.

The man dreamed of owning Beaucaire, of possessing all it contained.

He was willing to risk everything to carry out his hell-born scheme, and to ruin everyone who interfered with him.

I am telling you all this, Eloise, because it is now time you should know.
Will you not tell me just how it all came to you ?" Her hands clung to me, as though she dare not let go; her eyes were filled with a mingling of wonderment and pain.
"Why, of course.

We thought it best not to go until after we could see the lawyer.