The door was answered by Annie.

Harborvale’s night was unforgivingly cold, the biting wind cutting through the air. Yet Julian stood there, clad only in a thin overcoat, a clear sign he’d come in haste.

Annie regarded him for a long moment before speaking softly. "Ms. Ward has gone to bed. If it’s urgent, it’ll have to wait until tomorrow."

But Julian couldn’t wait. “I’ll wait for her in the sitting room until she ...