Question C

[Jonetta]

Rhys Winterborne arranges a meeting between Ethan and West Ravenel where it’s revealed that Edmund had bequeathed property to Ethan, his illegitimate son. Had you suspected this from earlier hints about him looking like a Ravenel? What did you make of his reaction? Of West’s? What are possible far reaching implications?

[Anita]

Yes, I was pretty sure he was Edmund's son. He wanted nothing to do with the Ravenel's and I don't blame him. They were not exactly a loving family, even to each other. West thought Ethan would have a better reaction, that was a bit native on his part. If Edmund had claimed him as his son, Ethan would have been the heir.

[Jonetta]

The only example of the Ravenels Ethan had known were Edmund and Theo and they were not good men. Edmund’s behavior alone was enough for him to be bitter. I wasn’t at all surprised at his reaction. He didn’t know anything about West other than his earlier reputation.

That’s a great point about him being the rightful heir to the earldom but only if Edmund had owned up to him.

[Robin]

After the hints in the last book about Ethan resembling the Ravenels, I figured he was Edmunds illegitimate son. I was surprised that Ethan already knew who his biological father was. I assumed he had no idea who his real father was and the story would hinge on proving that he was related to the family.

[Jonetta]

Robin, I thought the same, too, and was surprised he wanted no part of that inheritance.

[Anita]

Knowing now that he was independently wealthy, I can understand why he could blow off the inheritance. I think throwing it back in the family's face was good for him. He grew up without privilege and became successful and wealthy.

[Jonetta]

Great point! I remember thinking at the time he should at least take the equivalent in money. Now it makes better sense, even though I understood the point he was making.

[Sharon]

Like all of you, I suspected that he was a Ravenel.

If I remember correctly a parent can't pass a title to an illegitimate child. There must be a petition to the monarch and that was rarely approved. The only option a father has to recognize his child is to pass on an monetary inheritance or land.

[Jonetta]

Thanks for that, info. I’d thought there was a process but couldn’t recall.

[Lauren]

Sharon is correct.
It wouldn't have mattered if Edmund had recognized Ethan as his son. Illegitimate children cannot inherit under the laws of entailment. The father can only bequeath assets that are not entailed otherwise everything goes to the oldest legitimate son born in wedlock.

For those of you who have read Sebastian Cyr, (view spoiler)[he is the Viscount because it is his mother who cheated, and the Earl recognized him (believing he would never inherit because he was a third son) even though he is not the Earl's biological son. It is only because his two older sons died that Sebastian is the heir. The disinherit him, the Earl would have to admit in court that his wife was an adulteress. (hide spoiler)]

[Sharon]

Lauren. It's funny that you mentioned Sebastian. I researched this when I was reading the series. Harris sends me researching a lot. 😄

[Lauren]

Sharon wrote: "Harris sends me researching a lot 😄"

Me too!
I'm always looking up the historical figures that she mentions and find myself going down the Wikipedia rabbithole!

[Jonetta]

I’m sure it was that series that was whispering in my ear as I was trying to recall the rule. Harris just makes us so much smarter about history.

[Charlene]

I finally got around to reading Harris's 17th Sebastian St Cyr book, WHEN BLODD LIES. Wow! What a bittersweet story for Sebastian and Hero.

[Jonetta]

Charlene, we have a book discussion for that book! Here’s the link:

https://www.goodreads.com/topic/group...

[Karen ♐]

In the last book, I assumed also that Ethan was an illegitimate son. I couldn't figure out initially why he refused the inheritance but as we got further into the story, it all made sense since he was so wealthy.