“You mentioned the project would take a long time. Can you be more specific, Mrs. Lombard?”

She took a sip of tea and considered the question. “I would have to sit down and give it a great deal more thought, but the grounds themselves I believe could be done in under a year, and that would be with trips back and forth to London and also with—”

“I would wish you to remain here if you accept the commission. I do not live here and I believe a project of this magnitude would require full-time supervision.”

She put down her tea cup and saucer with a rattle. “You mean live here?”

“Would that present a problem for you? I would only come to consult and observe progress at various intervals.” He frowned, as if an unpleasant idea had only just that moment occurred to him. “You mentioned your in-laws. I suppose your husband would not care to have you away from him for long periods of time.”

“I am a widow, Mr. Lockheart.”

His eyes flickered slightly, but his expression remained bland. He did not, like everyone else she had met, offer any words of condolence.

“So you might relocate here for the duration of the project without overmuch upheaval.”

“I have a child.”

He cocked his head. “A child?”

“Yes, a son.”

“He is away in school?”

“He has grown up in a houseful of teachers. But he is ten now, and I am undecided as to whether he will go away to school or I will have to engage a tutor.” Yet another subject of dissention between Serena and the duke and duchess, who insisted all male issue of the family go to Eton.

“You could bring him here. I believe country air is said to be quite beneficial for children.”

“Is that so?” she teased, eating a biscuit to hide her smile.

The question gave him pause and his smooth brow wrinkled. “It seems I have read that, although I cannot think where.” He fixed her with his cool stare. “Is this something you would wish to have confirmed before you”

Serena couldn’t help it, she laughed.

His eyebrows shot up, making his handsome features look haughty and almost regal. “You disbelieve me?”

She shook her head, still smiling. “Not at all, Mr. Lockheart, I, too, believe children thrive in the country.” She hesitated. “Did you spend time in the country as a boy?”

He looked up from his plate, which she saw was largely untouched. “I was raised in an orphanage in London. I have never lived anyplace other than a city.”

She’d heard a variety of rumors about his past but had hardly expected such a naked admission. In her experience, people did not admit to negative aspects of their lives. At least not so unequivocally. Serena could think of nothing to say. An orphanage? What must that be like? Dozens of questions popped into her mind, none of them the kind she had any right to ask.