"My cousin preferred to spend his time in London, so the townhouse there is in much better shape. I also own a smaller estate on the Lincolnshire coast - one that came to me through my maternal grandparents. My mother makes that her primary residence, when she's not in London." So had he until very recently.

"She's here, now, though?" Augusta asked, chewing on her lower lip in the way he'd learned meant she was worried.

"She is. She'd come with me to help sort things ...