“She is a most wonderful mule.” Lady Mandeville gave a mischievous smile. “Lucas can have Camden Keep, but he would have trouble taking the Magdalene away from us!”

* * *

Lucas was pleased but not surprised that their tea went so smoothly. He suspected that Kendra and his aunt had enjoyed a woman-to-woman talk while Lucas and his uncle had taken care of some estate business.

As his aunt and uncle listened intently, Kendra had briefly described her situation and hopes for regaining custody of Christopher. She had told her story often enough that it was polished, yet still convincing. But she didn’t mention her lost daughter or the purpose of this journey. Lucas suspected that was too private and painful.

When the tea and cakes were gone, Lucas said, “It’s turned into a lovely day. More summer than spring. Would you like to take a walk while it’s still light, Kendra? I’d like to introduce you to the Magdalene.”

She laughed as she got to her feet. “I’d love to meet this wonder mule.”

“Enjoy the sunshine, dear,” his aunt said. “Dinner will be at the usual time.”

Lucas escorted Kendra to a side door that led toward the stables. When they stepped outside, he said, “My aunt and uncle like you.”

Kendra took his arm, her touch light and relaxed. “And I like them. You were right about how tolerant they are.” She gave him a slanting glance. “I didn’t realize the estate belonged to you until your aunt mentioned it.”

He shrugged. “It’s entailed so it came to me, though it would more justly belong to Uncle William. He grew up here, and he’s been managing the estate and doing it very well for years.”

She gestured at the neat gardens and pleasantly weathered stone outbuildings. “Does this feel like your home?”

It was a question he hadn’t considered. “Not really,” he admitted. “This fits with our earlier conversation about not quite knowing where we belong. My earliest memories are here, but after Simon’s family took me in, I made only occasional visits. It feels like Uncle William’s home. He grew up here, he and Aunt Anna married here. I feel like a visitor.”

“Is that because you haven’t spent much time at Camden Keep, or because you don’t feel worthy of being the owner?” she asked softly.

He felt as if she’d punched him in the midriff. What would his father, a naval hero, think of his dishonored son? Would his father think Lucas was worthy of the family title and fortune? Impossible to guess. His father had spent so much time at sea that Lucas hadn’t known him well.

Frowning, he said, “You have a gift for difficult questions. Let me ask you one. Did Denshire Park feel like your home? Do you miss your life there?”