“Oh, I see,” Evelyn said, watching as Joanna turned back around to pull out more stalks and stems. “So, you like gardening then?”

“I don’t know. I’ve never had one, but I do like being outside, so I figured why not do something productive. You know?”

When Evelyn didn’t answer, Joanna looked over her shoulder and found Evelyn frowning back at her. “What’s wrong? Is there a problem with me doing this?”

“Honestly?”

“Of course.”

Pursing her lips, Evelyn took a step closer to where Joanna was seated. “My first thought was Addison won’t like it.”

“Oh,” Joanna said, the brightness seeming to drain from her face as she looked down at the ground.

“And my second was...too bad.”

Looking up, Joanna said, “Huh?”

“Too bad,” Evelyn said as she squatted down by Joanna. “Too bad if Addison doesn’t like it, because, quite frankly, this arrangement you two have isn’t exactly temporary, and Addison needs to understand that. She can’t expect you to just wile away your hours with books or the telly or long walks around the estate, nor can she expect you and your father to hide out in the east wing whenever she’s home.”

“We’re not hiding.”

“No?”

“Okay, maybe a little,” Joanna said as her shoulders drooped. “I’m just trying to keep the peace, and Dad doesn’t care where he eats his meals, as long as he gets them.”

“I know that, Joanna, but is this really the way you want to live for the next five years?”

“No, of course not.”

“Then stop hiding. Come to meals and take your proper place at the table. It’s where you belong, and it’s where your father belongs, too. And if you want to read in the parlor or use the gym, then by all means, do it.”

“Evelyn, you’re asking me to poke a stick at a sleeping bear. You know that – right?”

“Well, as long as you don’t draw blood, I’m sure Addison will survive the jab.”

“Yes, but will I?”

Evelyn laughed as she got to her feet. “I have no doubt you’ll come up smelling like a rose.”

“Speaking of roses, do you have any idea what this place looked like before the ivy and weeds took over?” Joanna said as she got to her feet.

“No, I’m afraid not,” Evelyn said, looking out over the mess. “It was already in disrepair when Oliver bought it, and when Alena died, he lost all interest in improving anything.”

“Alena?”

“My God, you don’t know anything about the family, do you?”

“Very little. Who’s Alena?”

“Addison’s mother. She died in childbirth, as did Addison’s twin.”

Joanna’s eyes flew open. “Addison had a twin?”

“Yes, a brother.”

“Oh my God, how sad. What happened?”