ay, gliding past the imposing wrought-iron gat

locking overhead against a pale winter sky. The car came to an effortless stop befor

e, drawing in the sharp, sea-salted a

signature, unyielding bun. The moment Ivy reached the portico, the older woman caught her in a

hat softened around the edges. "Three years playing at poverty in an uninsu

y said softly, letting her guarded po

second-floor library. He has a very important guest from town. Mind your step on the stairs,

ootman, smoothed down the lapels of her bespoke crea

the click of her heels as she reac

pilling a warm beam of amber light across the dark parquet flooring. From wit

voice rolled out. "Your old man would have shorted their e

cond voice

a chilling, unhurried resonance that felt li

tees, General. It is far cleaner to acquire their debt through third-par

dence of the man's voice striking a strange, p

ard the narrow gap betw

er profile of the visitor seated in the deep le

sed easily at the ankle. His left hand rested against the dark leather armrest, where the soft

crystal tumbler following, "you inherited his patience.

ce responded, a faint, smooth edge of

urther, curious to see the face behin

base of an antique brass umbrella s

d with a faint,

the conversation

. It was the sudden, hair-raising silence

tead, she held her ground, her chin lifting as h

fted slightly. Over his broad shoulder, a single, piercing, ice-blue eye cut

oid of surprise. For half a second, the corner of his

ffocating stare, she stepped back smoothly, turning on her heel with pract

thud of the manor's front ent

l twelve-cylinder engine receding down the gravel driv

, his walking cane planted firmly before him as he watched

d without turning around, his military posture as straight as an

formidable old soldier and wrapping

much artillery heari

ce softening into an enormous, nostalgic grin as he

ows drawing together in mock fury, though his eyes shone with pure relief. "Look at you. Thin as a reed

Ivy said, laughing as she sat o

rply, pointing his cane at her. "Now yo

the leather armchair where an empty crys

the driveway. "The Patek Philippe and the bespoke charcoal.

s desk. "A logistics hotshot? Tha

htly. "Old Stone? The fami

e boy holds immense sway over their capital divisions. Brilliant mind, absolute ice in his

and tapped an embossed, heavy crea

manding gaze. "The private winter exhibition opens this Saturday. Rhett had

k, noticing the sharp, aristocra

he

erate to impress. An arrogant senior executive with expensive suits, sha

untry clubs, Grandfather,"

oped up in the city acting like an invalid. You haven't ridden a proper horse in two

olute, stubborn face, then down at

mile spread ac

y, her dark eyes flashing with sharp amus