Page 44

Adelaide's gaze shifted to the broad chart unrolled across the mahogany table—the Lycian coastline, its dense contour lines, and the red ink marking Xanthos. She examined the map with quiet, focused scrutiny, her fingers hovering above the parchment without touching the ink.

"You have indicated the primary site here," she remarked, tapping the red mark. "Yet your planned approach from the sea lies on the wrong landward side. The natural harbor faces southwest, whereas your route notation indicates a northern approach."

"The northern route is shorter by several leagues," Julian noted.

"The northern route forces your vessel against the prevailing autumn winds," she explained, taking a pencil from the tray and drawing a fine arrow along the southern coast. "You would lose two full days tacking against the gale. Approach from the south instead; the anchorage is deeper, and the seasonal winds will carry the ship directly into the bay."

Julian inspected the arrow she had drawn. Her assessment was indisputably correct; he had evaluated the approach based upon his previous spring voyage, failing to account for the autumn wind pattern.

"That is a remarkably useful correction," he acknowledged.

"I am well aware," she set the pencil down with a faint smile. "You are entirely welcome."

Mr. Vance observed the exchange with the neutral composure of a seasoned solicitor.

Julian stood up, the movement bringing him close to her side—near enough to observe the faint ink mark along her jawline where she had rested her chin while working, near enough that her blue wool sleeve brushed against his coat.

"This belongs in your expedition case," she said softly, holding out the glass-mounting plate. Inside lay a small, pale-violet bloom: Viola cucullata. "I discovered it in the conservatory this morning. It reminded me of a specimen Thomas gathered in the Alps."

Julian took the glass frame, feeling the faint warmth of her fingers lingering upon the surface. He looked at the delicate bloom and the neat, precise taxonomy written in her handwriting along the lower margin.

"You labeled it," he remarked softly.

"Naturally. An unlabeled specimen holds small scientific value."

"I was unaware you had begun exploring the conservatory."

"I am co-governor of the trust," she pointed out calmly. "The conservatory forms part of the trust's holdings." She paused, her hazel eyes meeting his with steady composure. "You signed the legal settlement yourself, Your Grace."

"I am well aware of what I signed."

"Then you ought not to express surprise when I exercise the authority it conveys." She looked up at him, her quiet expression holding a deliberate, gentle challenge. "I shall leave you to finish your conference with Mr. Vance. You have estate matters to settle, while I have three hundred specimens to index before you decide to dispute another botanical classification."

She turned toward the doorway, pausing at the threshold with her hand resting against the frame.

"Julian."

"Yes?"

"The southern sea approach—mark it upon the master chart before you forget. You have a habit of acknowledging corrections in conversation, only to revert to your original notes when unobserved."

"I do no such thing."

"You do," she replied with quiet humor. "I discovered seven such instances within the Sicilian volumes alone."

She exited the room, the door closing softly behind her.

Julian remained standing where she had left him, the pressed violet resting in his hand as the glass cooled. He placed the mounting plate carefully beside the charter-party contract on the table.

Mr. Vance cleared his throat softly. "Shall I proceed, Your Grace?"

Julian resumed his seat. "Proceed."

Mr. Vance opened a second document, thicker than the charter contract and bound in blue silk ribbon.

"This is the revised draft of Your Grace's last will and testament. As instructed, it secures the position of the Duchess of Ravensmere in the following manner: a lifetime jointure of two thousand pounds per annum drawn directly from estate revenues; the dower house at Ravensmere Park, fully staffed and maintained in trust for her natural life; and co-stewardship of the Hawthorne Educational Trust, including the museum, conservatory, and all archives, held jointly with the Board of Trustees."

Julian took the document, scanning the legal provisions. The annuity was generous, the dower house appropriate, and the co-stewardship guaranteed that Adelaide would maintain absolute authority over Thomas's legacy regardless of what occurred abroad.