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“That helps,” I reply. “I was debating whether to bring them.”

“You should,” she says. “The pool will be open, and half the families are bringing children anyway.”

I smile. “Then I will.”

By the time I leave that evening, the plan is settled. Erica and the boys are coming with me tomorrow.

***

The Pembrokes' estate is already lively when we arrive the following afternoon, but the atmosphere is noticeably more relaxed than anything else this week. The formal collection rooms inside the house remain open for viewing, while the reception has spread onto the broad terrace and across the lawn beyond it. Tables have been set beneath large umbrellas, servers move between clusters of guests with drinks and food, and children drift between the pool and the open space farther from the house.

Wells and Miles take less than five minutes to find the other children.

"Stay where Erica can see you," I tell them before they disappear.

"We will," Wells says.

Miles is already looking toward the pool.

"Can we swim?"

Erica adjusts the bag over her shoulder.

"Not until I know where the towels are and who is supervising the pool."

Miles looks at her as though she's imposed an unreasonable legal standard. I suppress a smile.

"I'll leave you to negotiate," I tell Erica.

"You owe me," she says.

"I know."

Erica waves me away.

"Go work."

I leave them near the terrace and make my way toward the house. The reception gives everyone more freedom to move than the earlier sessions, and I spend the next hour circulating between people I've met throughout the week. Several conversations are social now rather than strictly professional, although cards still change hands and tentative follow-up meetings are mentioned often enough that I keep my bag close.

Margaret finds me near the edge of the terrace as I finish speaking with a collector from New York.

"There you are," she says.

I turn toward her.

"I've been here."

"I know, but you're difficult to catch today." Margaret smiles and gestures toward the people gathered behind us.

"You've had a productive week."

"I have," I reply. "Thank you for including Mercer & Vale."

"You earned the invitation."

The compliment is simple enough that I accept it without trying to minimize it.

Margaret glances toward the lawn.