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He nodded.

“Then,” she said, slipping her arm through his, “seek his counsel and do what you think is best. You’re more than capable, Gavin.”

He leaned into her. “I know you’d rather be at home in your studio.”

“There’s nowhere else I’d rather be at this moment than with you,” she said.

The words were easy, but the extraordinary thing was that she meant them without any reservations. Gavin had stood by her for so many years. He’d been her confidant and companion. Yet this was more than helping a friend in need. They were married, and at some point while she wasn’t looking, their union had become the most important thing in her life. He was her partner.

The carriage slowed to a stop, and Ina hazarded a peek out of the window. Although dusk was falling, it looked as though the entire household staff was lined up for Gavin’s arrival. He was the new master, and they were welcoming him home.

A tendril of fear touched her heart. This wasn’t home. This was a place they had to endure for a little while before they could get back to their lives in Scotland.

The door opened and a footman let the steps down. Ina could see an older man with a shock of white hair step forward. He’d be the butler, no doubt, and it struck her all at once that their household now had two butlers. Two head housemaids. Two cooks. She shifted with unease. Someone had to take care of Oak Park even if they didn’t plan to live there, and it would be a challenge sorting out their staff.

Out of the massive wood front door banded with iron walked a stately woman followed by a slender, petite blonde with watery eyes. The dowager Lady Barrett and Grace, no doubt.

“Are you ready?” Gavin asked.

She nodded, even though she didn’t feel the least bit prepared.

He climbed down and turned to hand her out of the carriage. She shook her black crepe skirts out to release the worst of the wrinkles from traveling and straightened her ivory-lace-trimmed cuffs as best she could. Then she looped her arm in Gavin’s.

“Sir Barrett,” said the presumed butler with a low bow.

Her stomach flipped at the sound of Gavin’s new title.

“May I be the first to offer my condolences. The entire household is grieved at such a tragic loss,” the man continued.

Gavin nodded tightly, his lips pursed so hard they were almost white. “My wife and I thank you, Harper.”

At the mention of Ina, the butler shifted to face her fully and bowed again. “Welcome to Oak Park, madam.”

“Thank you,” she said.

“Gavin,” his mother called out.

Gavin stiffened and covered Ina’s hand with his as though drawing reassurance from her. “Mother.”

His mother swept down the steps, handkerchief in her hand, dabbing delicately at the corners of her eyes. “It’s a tragedy. Such a tragedy! Your father was so young. And Richard! Such promise. To think he was only thirty.”

“Your letter came as a great shock to Ina and me,” he said. “May I present my wife, Lady Ina Barrett?”

Her mother-in-law, who would be called Lady Sophia now that she was the dowager, flicked her eyes over to study her for the first time as Ina dipped into a low, respectful curtsy. “I’m truly sorry for your loss.”

Perhaps it was her exhaustion from the journey or her nervousness, but Ina could’ve sworn that Lady Sophia’s nose tilted a little higher before she said, “Thank you. My husband was a great man.”

The censure in the lady’s voice made it clear that she thought her younger son was not.

“Gavin,” said the pretty woman Ina guessed was Grace, extending her hands to him. “It’s good of you to come so fast. We’re beside ourselves.”

He stared at his sister-in-law so long, Ina had to nudge him. Automatically, he took Grace’s hands and stiffly kissed her cheek. Then he dropped her hands immediately, as though they were hot coals. Ina frowned. She knew he had a poor relationship with his brother, but Grace was a grieving widow.

“We came as quickly as we could,” Gavin said.

“Not quickly enough,” said Lady Sophia, turning on her heel and sending her black train snapping out behind her. Clearly she expected them to follow, because she didn’t look back.

“There’s so much to arrange,” the dowager continued. “Your father was in the midst of buying land that touches the northwest line of the property. Now the deal will fall apart because there’s no one who could possibly manage it.”