“He bought grapes from nearby farms, fermented them, and bottled them. What he had likely intended to start as a hobby quickly grew as word spread and the wine’s reputation increased. Within six years, bottles were being bought by socialites and governors in the larger cities. The family became wealthy. They expanded the house. Hired workers. Built additional cellars. For a time, they thrived.”

Margot found herself drawn back to the original drawing. It might have been prepared for one of the news periodicals of the day, she thought. She found herself scanning the barely represented faces, looking for some clue to their thoughts, their personalities. “What happened?”

Nora turned away. She eased herself into one of the stools by the counter and picked up her glass. “No one’s entirely sure.”

There was something haunting about the barely there eyes. They were only illustrations, but Margot found herself fixated by the youngest daughter, positioned at the far left. The illustrator, whether deliberately or by accident, had sloped the girl’s mouth. It gave the impression that she was on the edge of tears.

“You’re not descended from Ezra Hull, I’m afraid.” Nora held the wineglass with both hands, the splayed fingertips lightly balancing the bowl between them, her thumb testing the rim. “They seemed destined to prosper, but…well.”

“Go back to the beginning,” Ray urged.

“I am, don’t rush me!” Her eyes crinkled as she smiled up at her husband. He returned the look, some deep fondness in his gaze.

“Kant said…” Margot, still focused on the illustration, struggled to recall the conversation. It had only happened the previous morning, but it felt like half a lifetime ago. “There was a younger brother.”

“That’s right. Ephraim Hull. The junior by only a year.” Nora stretched her legs out, brown pants grazing her ankles, as she paused to drink. She looked almost relaxed, except for the way her fingertips continued to move around the glass, fidgeting. “The deceased father’s estate went entirely to the eldest son, Ezra, which was what allowed him to purchase Gallows Hill. That caused an irreparable rift between the brothers.”

“Giving everything to one son sounds like favoritism, but it wasn’t unheard of at the time,” Ray said. “Wealthy families tended to pass their inheritance only to the oldest, to ensure the family line maintained its land and fortune, instead of breaking it up into little pieces for each son. Only, the Hulls didn’t come from a wealthy family. They were from the working class. And apparently, Ephraim had been under the belief that he would receive half of his father’s money.”

“He fought with Ezra about it,” Margot guessed.