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Lopez nodded slowly and picked up his briefcase.  He suddenly bowed to Ellie. "I'm very happy that someone deserving is again in control of such  a large estate. I think all of the employees and renters will be delighted to see you. When you've all come in then I'm sure they will be eager to show you some English hospitality, but until then congratulations to you both Baroness Braye."

Ellie tried to look appreciative, but it came out as an uneasy thin lipped smile.  "Thank you for coming all this way to give us the news. I really feel glad that I had someone to clear it up for me rather than as a confusing note."

"We all thought this was best for you and Baron Braye." Lopez gave a slight nod to Henry who seemed incredibly affronted that he too had a title shook his head.  Then the solicitor turned and was escorted out of the rooftop garden by Michael.

Ellie moved uncomfortably in her seat as she realized she should have asked Henry to step out as the announcement had been something quite unexpected.  She looked to her partner now who was balanced with a neutral expression as she tried to make light of the whole situation. "It's not really that big of a deal.  I tried not to publicize my parentage. It's different having someone take a look at the skeletons in my closet."

"Skeleton?  You have no skeletons?  I can't believe that the press didn't get wind that you were for all this time European nobility trying to pass as a normal nobody.  I knew you had something regal when you walking in here -- but to think it comes from England is not something I could have guessed." Henry leaned forward to touch her shoulder gently. "But I shouldn't be the one who is asked if he is alright. What about you, Ellie? I know that even though you haven't voiced it, you've been eager to figure out what to do after it became clear that all NASCAR sponsors rejected you.  I do listen to all my voicemails. I heard it, but didn't want to say anything. I considered sponsoring you at NYU along with Nolan, but before I could say anything this came along. It's a lot of work to manage a full estate, especially with the problems that the lawyer described."

"That is true.  However, it is quite strange to me that I would be the Baroness with my half-sisters born many years before me.  It's strange to me that it would happen this way at all. But, you know they say everything happens for a reason." Ellie tried to smile, but her eyes were cold. "Even though I didn't like them, Anastasia and Priscilla, they were still my siblings.  I really would have liked if they had a better end, even if it was karma that caught up to them."

"Every bad deed will have its day in due time.  I think in this case it was a miracle that God has handed you." He looked out at the great New York City skyline. "I remember when you were trying to get over your morphine dependence, you said you were trying to go home.  Is England your true home? I don't know how the scenery is in the countryside, but are you excited to get back to your roots?"

"I wasn't born there, but I was raised there.  Even though there was a lot of sadness, I did have a lot of fun when I went to the local primary school.  The village kids and I had a lot of fun romping around our woods. It is a good memory there too." Ellie put her hand on top of his on her shoulder.  "I'm so happy that I get to restore it to how it used to be. Its one of the most beautiful places I have ever been. I miss it a lot."

Henry glanced to her so their eyes met and held.  "That's the same way I feel about this house and the building below it.  It's so magic to think of an old victorian manor on top of a skyscraper in New York City.  It's fantastic, same way my grandfather was when he made it for my grandmother whom he loved very much.  It was such a shame that she didn't live to see it finished."

"Exactly how I feel." Ellie quickly pushed herself away from him as she remembered that her responsibilities were going to be heavy now.  She turned away from him and put her arms around herself. She felt cold. "I'm going to have to book a flight to Europe as soon as possible to see my properties and the finances.  I'll probably have to go to Buckingham Palace to get my title conferred and the House of Lords. It's a lot." Ellie turned to see Henry looking at her with concern as she listed off her to-do list.  "It's a lot to do alone. If I asked you, just as a friend, to help me settle everything is that something you're okay with? I know you manage a big company with trusts and properties so you can bring a lot to the table.  I don't really know enough about the development side of things to really be able to do what's best for Stanford Hall. I've only just had one apartment, now I don't even know how many properties this inheritance has entailed."

She realized her heart has started to beat loudly in her ears as Henry tried to hide his smile.  His reaction was the complete opposite of what she had expected as he truly did for a minute seem to be extremely delighted.  His head swayed from side to side as finally the happiness dissolved into conflicted emotions veering more towards discomfort.  Ellie wondered if he really did fear leaving his perfect castle looking over his city where he knew how everything worked. Would it really be difficult for him to adapt in an unfamiliar environment?