“Ask and get ten million. Unless it’s a Russian or an Arab, in which case I should ask fifty percent more. Trouble is, that market isn’t what it used to be.”

“Let me make you a different sort of offer.”

“All right.”

“I’ll give you twelve million pounds sterling for both properties, with a guaranteed lifetime tenancy for both of you. That way, you get a pile of cash, but you don’t ever have to move.”

Derek looked at him narrowly. “You can come up with that kind of money?”

“I can. What’s more, you should have a chat with your accountant. You might be able to shelter much of it from the tax man by taking payment in the States. I can arrange for the people who handle my investments to handle yours, too.”

“I don’t think I want to have that particular chat with my own accountant, but my chief financial officer at the agency would know exactly how to handle that.”

“Perhaps that’s best.”

“Laurence, I accept your offer with pleasure.”

“Nothing need change for you. I don’t expect to be spending that much time here. I’d love for you two to visit me in New York, though. I have lots of room, and if you want more privacy, I own a second flat in my building.”

“Give me a few weeks to get hale and hearty, and we’ll take you up on that.”

“When you’ve got things sorted out, have your solicitor draw up a contract, and I’ll sign it and put the cash anywhere you want it.”

Derek smiled broadly and shook his hand.

—

THERESA CAME BACK from her shopping trip with Dot, and the two of them had a drink in the cottage before going over to the main house for dinner.

“You like this estate, do you?”

“I think it’s superb,” she said.

“I’m glad, because I just bought it—and the London house—from Derek, with a lifetime tenancy for him and Mom.”

“Congratulations!”

“Something else.”

“What’s that?”

“You have interior designers at your store, don’t you?”

“Yes, in the home department.”

“I own a second flat at the Fairleigh, number 14A, one floor down from my apartment. It’s furnished with hotel things, and I’d like it redone. Can you call somebody there and have them put their best person on it?”

“Certainly. I’ll call the department head.”

“It’s a two-bedroom apartment. Do you think a million dollars would handle everything?”

“I’ll give them that budget.”

“Good. I’d like it done in, say, six weeks, please. They can have samples and drawings for me when we get back.”

Theresa looked at her watch. “She should be back from lunch now. I’ll call her.”

“There’s a phone in the study.”

She went there.