She studied him, searching perhaps for the argument that usually followed. None came.
Thomas approached with a folded paper. "Your Grace, the carpenter's original report. I thought His Grace might wish to see it."
Eleanor accepted the document and handed it to Julian. He read the first paragraph, then the second: the carpenter had identified the weakened foundations and warned against repeated heavy traffic along the adjoining road. The report was dated March.
Julian remembered Eleanor standing in his study that month, waiting while he finished a letter. He remembered telling her to leave the matter to him. He had done nothing.
"I owe you an apology," he said quietly.
Eleanor's expression changed, but before she could answer, footsteps sounded in the passage. A young apprentice appeared, breathing hard. "Mrs. Bennett, there's a gentleman outside asking for His Grace."
Julian turned. "Who is it?"
The boy swallowed. "Mr. Percival Grant, sir. He says he has come to inspect the property before the sale is completed."
Eleanor's hand tightened around the edge of the table. Julian looked toward the open doorway: a carriage had stopped in the street, and a tall man in a dark traveling coat was already approaching the workshop.
Then Eleanor said, her voice steady despite the color draining from her face, "Perhaps it is time Mr. Grant discovered that there is no sale."
"There is no sale," Eleanor repeated as Percival Grant stepped through the doorway.
The gentleman stopped just inside, his polished boots leaving damp marks on the wooden floor. He looked from Eleanor to Julian, then smiled with the confidence of a man who believed every difficulty had already been settled.
"Your Grace, Duchess. I trust I have not arrived at an inconvenient moment."
"You have arrived at an informative one," Julian replied.
Grant's smile faltered.
Eleanor moved beside the worktable, placing herself between the visitor and the unfinished books. "The workshop is not for sale, Mr. Grant. I declined your original inquiry, and my position has not changed."
Grant removed his hat slowly. "I was given assurances."
"Not by me."
"Lady Margaret indicated that His Grace would secure the necessary agreement."
Julian felt Eleanor turn toward him. He did not look away. "My mother had no authority to make that assurance," he said. "Nor did I have authority to promise you my wife's property."
Grant's fingers tightened around the brim of his hat. "Five thousand pounds has already changed hands."
"I am aware."