"I do not offer you my pity.” Lucius studied her ageing face and softened. “Our families have a long history together, and I am here to set things right. How may I be of service to you?"

Lady Harrowden assessed him for a moment and at last put her hands on the armrest of her chair. “How well can you read legal documents and entails? You followed the coursework of a barrister, I believe."

Lucius had studied law, but he had not liked it. He only wanted enough knowledge to serve him in his estate. “I understand only the basics. Why? Is there a problem with yours?" He left his position by the fire and came to sit by Lady Harrowden.

"That is better,” she said. “I cannot bear when people hover over me."

"You should have said something. I would have sat,” Lucius responded in a mild tone.

“As if you’ve ever done anything other than precisely what you wished to do,” the countess retorted.

Lucius wisely kept silent.

When she saw he would not rise to the bait, she continued, “I believe my nephew—as if he did not have enough with the entire estate—I believe he is trying to encroach upon my jointure.”

It would seem like such a petty thing to do—to take money from a widow when Harrowden had so much. Lucius thought over the possibilities. Surely Harrowden would have no reason to do so. And most wills were ironclad. He could not have had much room to cheat the countess.

Lucius leaned on the armrest and rubbed his chin as he studied her. “What makes you think he is doing such a thing?"

“He encourages me to remove to the dower house at every turn, although he has not yet found himself a wife. He says it need only to be painted, but he has been saying that for well over a year, and I do not believe a painter has set foot inside that house.”

She clutched her hands together in an impatient gesture. “The notion was preposterous while Richard was staying in London. Who would care for the estate? But now that he has returned, and it appears his stay will be prolonged—or perhaps indefinite, although there is no Lady Harrowden at present—I am quickly learning that I will not be able to live under the same roof with such a popinjay. I believe I shall have to make the move.” She added in a voice laden with irony, “He was quick to assure me that he would help.”

Lucius crossed one leg over the other. “That seems more proof of his generosity than his villainy.”

“Perhaps, were it not for the fact that my accounts seem more meagre than they should be, and I’m wondering if my nephew thought to run his estate on my portion. After all, the estate’s solicitor oversees both accounts. I would like you to find an accountant who has had no interaction with my nephew. When you find him, bring him to me without Richard’s knowledge, and I will have him look over the figures of my income to see how it’s being used.”