Zi felt well rested in the morning, she reached the breakfast table before everyone else. She finally had an appetite again; she finally had closure. Still, she didn't feel right about taking the money.
"Good morning, Miss. O'Connell," Eric Jeffries entered the breakfast room still tying his bowtie. Zi had already started eating her breakfast.
"Good morning, Mr. Jeffries," Zi acknowledged the lawyer. "I'm sorry about last night. I still couldn't believe that she was gone."
"I understand completely. She was a close family friend to my parents. She remained close after my parents died." He paused, and then added jokingly, "She helped me survive law school." Zi laughed softly, she could only imagine how demanding law school could be.
Rick and Evelyn walked into the dining room just a moment later. Rick's eyes brightened when he saw that his sister's appetite had returned. It was amazing how much toll three days of not eating and not sleeping could have on the body. Zi was already thin, so when she stopped eating, Rick watched her more closely, looking for signs that she would eat.
"Good morning, both of you," Rick walked behind Zi's chair and kissed the top of her head. Zi acknowledged him but couldn't say anything because she was chewing. Rick took his seat at the head of the table and Evelyn sat to Zi's left, next to Rick.
"You look well rested, Zi," Evelyn smiled looking at her sister.
"I am, thank you," Zi replied.
"I don't mean to talk business at the breakfast table," Eric Jeffries cleared his throat. "But my time in England is short and I want to make sure that there are no pressing questions that either one of you has." Rick, Evelyn and Zi sat in silence. "It must be clear than that," he addressed Zi. "You own her small home in Cairo, along with her properties in Ireland and Greece. Accounts are already created for the upkeep of the properties. The income that she had is steady and is now in your name so you will reap the benefits." He paused. Zi was more adept to understand what he was saying, but Eric Jeffries also knew that it was a lot to grasp.
"Is all of this making sense to you, Miss O'Connell?"
"Yes it is," Zi nodded. "It's all too much, but then again, it is Rose. Small or understated was not a word in her vocabulary." Eric laughed, he understood all too well. "I guess I just never realized how much she had. I've been to her estate in Ireland, but I figured that it was just an old family place and she didn't have much to do with it." She shrugged.
"In my younger years, I remember playing in gardens of the estate. When I got a little older, I would sit out by the Aegean, at her Greek estate. But, it is a lot to take in."
The rest of breakfast was filled with idle talk about the weather and the status of the rose bushes in the garden. Zi was thankful for it, she enjoyed taking in a conversation with this gentleman, especially when it wasn't related to her inheritance.
"Well, I suppose I should be off," Eric Jeffries stood up from the chair in the living room he had been occupying. After breakfast they made their way into the living room for some more idle chit chat. But, it was almost noon and Eric had a boat to catch.
"Is it that time already?" Zi sighed, standing up and walking him to the door. This did not go beyond Rick's notice. But, this time, he believed that this man was worthy of his sister, at least, worthy enough to become more acquainted with. In his mind there was only one other man he could see his sister with.
"Have you thought about what you might do with what Rose left you?" Eric Jeffries was putting his coat on. Zi shook her head. "Might I suggest that you consider what Rose has encouraged you to do, you should go to school."
"Not many schools in England accept women," Zi said defeated.
"Maybe, but in America, I could send you information on a few all-women schools that are known for their scholastic achievements. And from what I've heard of you, you would do well there."
"I don't know, maybe."
"Let me know, you can reach me here." Eric handed Zi a piece of paper with a telegram address. "I will keep you posted from my end, please keep in touch. I would be nice to get to know you better." Zi blushed. Eric bent over to get his bags from the floor. But first, he held Zi's hand and pressed his lips against it.
"Good-bye. I only wish I could stay longer." Eric tipped his hat at Zi and Evelyn then shook Rick's hand. Zi was sad to see him go. He was her last link to Rose. But, maybe she could go to school, she thought. Maybe Eric would move to be closer so they could get to know each other outside of the watchful eye of her brother.
All these thoughts amused Zi, she couldn't imagine being allowed to go to school without Rick there to take care of her.