There were oak trees along the drive that had been growing since before either man was born. A woman met them at the door. Not a housekeeper, not staff. She was in her mid30s with dark hair pulled back and an expression of careful control that Marcus recognized immediately, not because he'd seen it in wealthy people specifically, but because he'd worn something like it himself in the year after Clare died. The expression of someone who had decided consciously that they were going to manage whatever came next.
She was in an objective way striking. But that wasn't the thing Marcus noticed first. What he noticed first was that her eyes went to Lily before they went to him and for just a fraction of a second, not even long enough to be called a moment. Her expression came undone, just slightly, like a window opening and closing fast. Then it was back.
"Mr. Williams," she said. Her voice was smooth and professional, the kind of voice that ran meetings. "I'm Emily Caldwell. Thank you for coming. Thank you for having us," Marcus said.
"This is my daughter, Lily." Lily stepped forward with her hand extended the way Marcus had taught her. "Hello," she said. "I'm his backup." Emily Caldwell blinked. Then she laughed. It was sudden and genuine and surprised her visibly.
Marcus could see that it surprised her like her own laugh had caught her off guard. "His backup," Emily repeated. just in case," Lily confirmed, completely serious. Emily looked at Marcus with an expression he couldn't quite read. "Well," she said. "I appreciate the thoroughess," she led them inside.
Henry Caldwell was waiting in the dining room, and he looked different without the rain and the struggle in the worn canvas jacket. He still wore simple clothes, dark trousers, a plain button shirt, but he sat at the head of a long table with the ease of a man who had learned a long time ago exactly how much space he was entitled to take up. His hands were folded in front of him, and his eyes were clear and sharp. And when Marcus walked in, he stood up slowly but fully and extended his hand. "You came," Henry said.
"I did," Marcus said. Henry looked at Lily. And you brought your daughter, she insisted, Marcus said. Smart girl, Henry said. He looked at Lily directly the way adults sometimes forgot to do with children.
Actually looking actually meaning it. What's your name? Lily Williams, Lily said. What's yours? Henry Caldwell.
Are you famous? Henry glanced at Marcus. Marcus kept his expression perfectly neutral. In some circles, Henry said. "What circles?" "Business circles mostly." Lily nodded slowly, cataloging this.