A new story! This story is primarily Rory-centric but will have other points of view and side stories that will aid in understanding what is happening to Rory. Although it assumes a Rory/Logan pairing, I don't anticipate their romance being very central to the plot.

As per usual, I don't own anything to do with Gilmore Girls – that honor goes to others.

10 March 2008: Thanks to my new beta, Emma.

Prologue

The letter

The large thick envelope came a few days before Logan left for England, its stiff parchment paper bearing the mark of a Boston law firm. When she opened it, Rory found a single sheet of paper and a smaller, sealed envelope. After quickly reading the letter (dated some eight months prior), she placed everything back in the large envelope and deposited it in the top drawer of her desk.

Dear Lorelai,

Although I had the great pleasure of meeting your mother several times in her youth, I was never introduced to you, my great granddaughter. My knowledge of you comes from my sporadic contact with Christopher, who always spoke of you in the fondest tones, regaling me with your latest accomplishments.

I pride myself in having few regrets in my long life. However, my failure to use my position as head of the family to persuade Straub to accept you into the Hayden legacy has of late caused me considerable grief. I only hope now when I am so close to my own end that I can rectify some of what my family has subjected you to by leaving you more equipped for the future that lies ahead.

I imagine Richard and Emily told you a little about the Hayden family, or at least about Straub and Francine. Straub was an excellent lawyer specializing in a very contrary aspect of international law. His services were in high demand, and he was very well compensated for his time. However, advising others in legal matters was not the source of the Hayden family wealth, reputation, or legacy. Rather, for at least seven generations the Hayden family has been known as private investors in a range of entrepreneurial businesses and has provided funds to allow for the establishment or expansion of many companies. Over the years, these arrangements have taken many forms, from silent partnerships to active positions in a company. A few arrangements have changed over the years as a company has matured and grown – especially if it became a publicly traded corporation. As a result, much of the Hayden estate is tied up in shares and properties, and is held collectively in a family trust. This trust has been under my control since the passing of my father when I was twenty-six, and with the death of my son, will pass directly to Christopher upon my demise.

In mind of my recent decisions regarding my family's treatment of you, and my desire to see you prosper and succeed in your chosen path (whatever that may be), although the family estate will be left to your Father, I have established a small trust of which you are the sole controller and beneficiary. This trust owns a company that holds a large number of shares in several American businesses of interest to you, and it is my hope that you will benefit greatly from your ownership of them. You are a Gilmore and a Hayden – a formidable combination of business acumen. Just as your Grandfather Gilmore is known as a ruthless businessman, and I, in my day drove a hard bargain, you should use these resources to make sure you get what you want in life. Many people are too timid – waiting for things, people, and moments to come to them. But those who truly live and prosper are those who decide what they want and relentlessly pursue it.

My dear, I have always thought that straightforward honesty is the best track to take in all dealings. Over the past year, it has become obvious that you are destined to become part of Hartford high society regardless of your mother's efforts to remove you. The families you have connected yourself with thus far, and those you may in future join are ruthless, and will walk all over you if you do not defend yourself. Despite the names of both the families you can claim as your own, your illegitimacy will always lead many people to wait eagerly for your failure. As such it is all the more important that you arm yourself with every available resource, and refuse to allow anyone to think less than highly of you. You must be ruthless, shrewder than they are or they expect you to be, and above all, you must not show any sign of weakness.

I ask you now to take this gift as it was intended – as a heartfelt apology and an opportunity to even the playing field. Life in these circles is truly like a game, you must play hard, fast, and I dare say it – dirty. Remember Sun Tzu, young Lorelai, and 'the art of war'. Keep this gift close to your heart, and reveal it when you can gain the most from it. Yes, I imagine that within the next year this gift will come in handy.

Sincerely,

Edward Christopher Hayden

October 27, 2005

For the moment, she would follow his advice and keep the papers hidden. There was time later, after Logan leaves, to examine this more carefully and try to understand just what he great grandfather had done.