"Looking to steal the family business?" Harry asked, opening the door and stepping in. He'd heard her talking as he walked down the hallway, for the moment lost in his own thoughts. There was so much to think about; his meeting with Constance, all this business with Slater and the sudden rush of new clientele which seemed to be diverting Nell’s attention. But he was home now, and none of this needed to be thought about until he’d had a drink and a rest. And a sleep, if his twisted writhing thoughts would let him.
It was Mary’s voice from within the study that had pulled him from his worries, and the sound of Blitzer’s snuffly snores. His study was his, private, a secret place for him to relax. Not even the housekeeper went in without his express permission. He was expecting to see Mary rifling through the draws, searching the bookcase for secrets. He expected betrayal from everywhere now, and she knew Slater. She knew Slater… but she was his sister, first and foremost, his sister. He had been wrong to even think that of Mary.
And there she was, sat happily down on the sofa with a book and Blitzer. He hadn’t expected betrayal to come from the dogs… “Blitzer! Off!” He said sharply as he shut the door, and the Staffordshire jumped down as if cracked with a whip. “Good boy.” He petted the dog’s head, turning his attention back to Mary. “Don’t let him on the furniture, he gets ideas above his station.”