The old study was filled with warm light and the scent of wood polish, leather, and faintly tobacco. Books lined the walls from floor to ceiling, most of them worn, spines cracked from use. Katherine sat on one of the armchairs, a porcelain teacup resting between her fingers, and tried not to let her nerves show.
Winston Ford, her father-in-law, sat across from her by the fireplace. A plaid blanket was folded neatly over his lap, though he didn't look particularly cold. His posture was regal, straight-backed despite the years carved into his spine. His silver hair was combed back, accentuating the lines of wisdom etched around his eyes.
He was watching her with a gentle kind of intensity as if seeing something beyond the surface. "You're awfully quiet today, Katherine," he said, voice low but still warm. "Is Leonard keeping you too busy?"
Katherine offered a soft laugh. It came out more hollow than she intended. "No, nothing like that. We're doing fine."
