OSWALD sat at the long mahogany dining table in his parents’ grand home, the warm glow from the chandelier casting golden highlights over polished silverware. Lady Frances was at the head of the table, her eyes sparkling with a rare kind of joy as she poured tea into his cup.

“It has been too long since you visited like this,” she said, almost chiding, but her voice was soft with affection. She reached across to pat his hand. “I missed you, my son.”

“I have been… busy,” Oswald replied with a small smile, his deep voice calm and measured, but the warmth in his eyes gave him away.

Lord Dino,...