“Of course,” Richard said, heading for the hallway.

“Evelyn, pour your daughter another cup of tea while I get the draft filings from my desk.”

He left the sitting room, his leather shoes clicking along the oak floorboards.

Evelyn lifted the silver teapot off the side table and poured fresh tea into my cup.

“He means every word of it, Madison,” she whispered, leaning in close.

“He wants peace just as badly as I do.”

“I’m going to use the restroom,” I said.