"How is your father doing, Miss Preston?" Timothy asked, his tone easy, but his attention precise in a way that suggested he missed very little.
"He's doing a lot better now. Thank you for asking, Mr. Rathbourne." Catherine returned the smile with measured warmth. "That day… I was able to reach him in time because of you."
She let the gratitude sit where it was—acknowledged, but not overstated. There was a careful balance to maintain here. She could already sense that whatever stood between Maximilian and Timothy was not built on favors alone, and the last thing she wanted was to tilt that balance by appearing indebted in a way that diminished Maximilian's standing.
Because she was certain of one thing.
If Timothy had helped her, Maximilian had already paid the price—one way or another.
