Page 65

“I know you’re in shock, but there are things you need to do. An estate as large as Oak Park can’t be left long without management. Who was your father’s estate manager? You’ll need to give him instructions.”

He knew this, but his mind felt as slow as a child slogging through a snowdrift.

“Mr. Chase,” he finally said, pulling the name out of his memory.

“Good. You’ll write to him at once and tell him to prepare for a full review of the estate and its holdings. Do you know the name of your family’s solicitor?”

“Barrow, Kinter, and Ross in London.”

“They’ll know the terms of the will. And you should write to your father’s banker as well,” she said.

He’d never had a good look at the account books. He had no idea what crops the estate was raising or the condition of the manor house. He wasn’t the son who was supposed to inherit.

“We’ll send those letters off this morning while Norris sees about train tickets.” She laid a hand on his arm. “We’ll depart for Ashington this afternoon if we can.”

“We?” he asked, his brow furrowed.

“We,” she said firmly. “Your mother and your sister-in-law will both be hurting. I might be of some use to them.”

He pulled her to him and settled her head on his chest. “Having you there will be a great comfort to me as well.”

Her fingers curled around his lapels and she sighed. “It’s the right thing to do, Gavin. Anyone would do it.”

“Not just anyone,” he said fiercely. “You.”

He was afraid. Afraid of what this sudden change would mean for them. Afraid she’d one day find him lacking the same way his father had. Afraid his mother would be able to spot the falsehood their marriage had been built on before he’d had time to mold it into something stronger. Real.

Reluctantly, he held her out at arm’s length. “I don’t think there’ll be time to arrange transportation for Hero and Leander.”

“They’ll be there when we return,” she said. “There’s still time before the submission has to be in.”

He nodded. “I promise we’ll return to Edinburgh soon.”

He’d never ask her to make Oak Park her home. Ina loved the city, and he loved Ina. Edinburgh would remain their home as long as she wished it to.

Ina let out a slow breath. “Thank you, Gavin. I’ll ask Norris to arrange the train tickets, and I’ll cancel our engagements. You should write to Moray and let him know you’ve been called away.”

She kissed him on the cheek and quietly left the room to set their life into chaos.

Gavin scrubbed a hand over his face, staring at the letter and unable to shake the feeling that everything was about to change.

Gavin hardly spoke during the train ride to Newcastle and the carriage ride to Ashington. Once or twice Ina had wanted to ask him how he was coping, but his grim expression had held her back.

She knew that in this situation her own nerves were secondary to Gavin’s, but they were there nonetheless. She wasn’t certain of the reception they’d receive at Oak Park from the newly made dowager, whom Gavin characterized as more monster than mother, and his sister-in-law, Grace, who hardly factored into any of his stories.

At least the trip would be a short one, she reassured herself as she toyed with her black lace handkerchief. He’d promised her that they’d stay long enough to make arrangements and pay their respects to his father and brother. Then they’d return home to Edinburgh, where they belonged.

When the carriage finally turned off the road and rumbled between two stone pillars that made up an ancient-looking gate, Ina sat up straighter. They were at Oak Park at last.

“Are you ready?” she asked.

Gavin turned tired eyes to her. “As ready as I’ll ever be. This wasn’t supposed to happen.”

She smiled tightly, not liking it any more than he did. “Nevertheless, Oak Park is yours now.”

“I don’t know the first thing about managing an estate this large. I’m well out of my depth, and it overwhelms me,” he admitted.

Despite the rocking of the carriage, she chanced shifting from her seat opposite him to the one next to him. Pressed close to lend him strength, she said, “You grew up here. I suspect you know more than you think. And didn’t you say Mr. Chase is extremely competent?”