“That won’t be necessary, Mr. Sheppard. We have a lift,” Evelyn said.

“You have a lift?” Joanna blurted.

Amused by the woman’s bug-eyed stare, Evelyn walked just past the stairs and opened the door to Joanna’s right. Sliding the gate aside, she said, “It was added years ago, but it’s been checked quite recently, and I can assure you it’s quite safe.”

Robert limped over and let out a hearty guffaw at the sight of the wood-paneled lift. “Well, I’ll be damned.”

“David, why don’t you accompany Mr. Sheppard, and Joanna and I will meet you upstairs,” Evelyn said, stepping aside.

“It would be my pleasure,” the young man said, patiently guiding a very weary Robert Sheppard into the lift.

“Ladies, shall we?” Evelyn said, gesturing toward the stairs.

Joanna took a deep breath. “Lead the way.”

“If you two don’t mind, I’m going to sneak into the drawing room and return a few phone calls,” Fran said. “I’ll catch up with you later.”

“Okay. See you in a bit,” Joanna said before following Evelyn up the stairs.

Stopping when she reached the top, Evelyn said, “I must apologize. Addison gave me very little notice of your…well, of your arrival. We only had a day to get the wing ready, so if there’s anything you don’t like or anything I’ve forgotten, please let me know, and I’ll take care of it immediately.”

“I’m sorry, did...did you say the wing?”

“That’s right,” Evelyn said, with a grin. “This house has an east and a west, and Addison asked that the east wing be prepared for you and your father. Unfortunately, it’s been closed up for years, so I fear that it still needs some work, but it’s clean, and all the bedding is fresh.”

“I’m sure it’ll be fine,” Joanna said in a whisper.

“Are you all right?”

“Yeah,” Joanna said, letting out a little snort. “It’s just going to take some time to get used to all of this.”

“Well, from what I hear, you’ll have plenty of that,” Evelyn said as she noticed the lift door open. “And there’s your father, safe and sound.”

Joanna followed Evelyn’s line of sight down the walkway surrounding the railed off octagonal opening in the floor, and at the far end on the left stood her father who was doing an excellent impression of a Cheshire cat. Even though he had his cane, Joanna knew the walk was a long one for her dad, but before she could offer her assistance, she saw David hook his arm through her father’s and slowly walk him up the carpeted passageway.

“How was your ride?” Joanna chirped.

“Totally delightful,” Robert said, coming to a stop. “So, where to now?”

“This way,” Evelyn said, opening the double doors leading to the wing.