Is Fitz Happy?

Althea Vestrit returns to her family house, worried about the reception she'll get. However, when she arrives, she notes that the grounds look unkempt and there is a party being thrown. Through hearing gossip and talking with her mother, Ronica, Althea learns of the financial straits the Vestrits are in and the limited options going forward. 
We're reading Mad Ship by Robin Hobb, book 2 of the Liveship Traders in The Realm of the Elderlings.