Peace. Peace, at last.

With a sigh, I sank into the chair at my desk. I had just seen Father, Philippa, and Talbot off in Father's carriage first thing that morning. With my family members gone, my home was once again my own.

Leo wriggled through the partially open door and ran further into the library. He paused for a moment and then leaped into my lap. Immediately, he curled into a tight ball, his back to me.

"I suppose you must like me," I said, putting my hand on the animal's head. And immediately pulled it back when he had the audacity to hiss at me. "Or not."

"Mr. Ward," Davison announced as he pushed the door open wider. He raised an eyebrow as he saw the cat on my lap. "Shall I remove the cat, sir?"

"Please do."

Naturally, Leo expressed his irritation with more hissing. Davison bore it without comment and carried the little beast out of the room.

"I wouldn't have taken you for a person who liked cats," Ward commented as he entered the library.

"I have nothing against them, but I wouldn't say they are my favorite animal," I responded, gesturing to the chair across from me. "He belongs to Davison and seems to think he is the real master of the house."

Ward smirked. "That tends to be a typical cat from my experience," he said as he sat down. "No disaster seems to have happened since yesterday."

"Thankfully not. I'm not sure I would have been able to handle another crisis, however small it might have been. Everything has been resolved as best as anyone could hope for." Succinctly, I explained what had happened after he left and then the arrival of my father.

"Then you do intend to go to London this fall?" Ward asked once I had finished speaking.

Surprised, I frowned at him. After everything, that was what he decided to comment on? "I don't have a set date to leave, if that's what you're asking," I said slowly. "Why?"

"I've come to ask a favor of you," he admitted. "It's rather a big one."

Sitting up straighter, I asked, "What can I do?"

My friend was not one to ask for favors often, so if he was even asking, it must be important.

"I would like to borrow Pearsend."

Of all things I might have expected Ward to say, this was not one of them. "Borrow Pearsend?" I repeated slowly. "The whole estate or just the house?"

"The house." Ward shifted in the chair. "I am willing to pay you two months rent."

"No, no," I told him. "I'm more than happy for you to use Pearsend for anything you may need it for."

"Miss Forester's family would like to become better acquainted with me," Ward explained with a grimace. "I decided the best place for that to happen would be here, instead of London or anywhere else."

"I see." And I did. Ward's own property was being let to the Campbells. The gatehouse would be too small to accommodate more than one guest. "Give me the date and I will have all prepared."

Relief filled his expression for a moment. "You don't mind?"

"Of course not. I'm glad I can be of some assistance to you," I said honestly. "I know Pearsend is not quite up to scratch. If you're sure it will not offend the lady's family, they are welcome to stay here."

"The Foresters are gracious people. They will not look down on Pearsend once I've explained the details."

"I hope you won't tell them about the treasure!"

Ward let out a laugh. "Of course I will. It is just the kind of story that would amuse Miss Forester's brothers. Though I will make sure the younger Mr. Forester does not destroy anything to find it."

He stood up and offered his hand. "Thank you, Bywood."

I accepted his thanks, and he left the room. With a sigh, I leaned back in my chair once more. It would be a bit early to go up to London. Did I have any friends I could visit?

Perhaps one who was a neighbor of the Darkin family?