The silence stretched for a moment after those words.

Isabelle blinked, trying to gather herself. “You’re his grandmother?”

The older woman gave a small nod, her gaze still sharp despite the faint smile on her lips. “Yes. May I come in?”

“Of course,” Isabelle said quickly, stepping aside.

The cane clicked softly against the marble as the woman entered. Her eyes swept the room in an unhurried way from the staircase to the scattered brushes on the table and the faint ...