Chapter Five
Wolf almost laughed at the look of horror upon Grace’s face.
He said drily, ‘I think you will find Miss Duncombe’s intention in leaving Arrandale is to remove herself from my presence.’ He added with a touch of bitterness, ‘She does not share your belief in my innocence, sir.’
‘That may be,’ said the parson, ‘but I am sure Grace is as keen as I am to see justice done.’
‘Yes,’ said Grace. ‘Of course, Papa, but...’
‘It would be quite ridiculous for you to travel to London separately. Why, you would be following one another within a matter of days, and what is the sense in that? And, Grace, I would be much happier to know you had a gentleman to escort you to your aunt’s door.’
‘Not if that gentleman is wanted for murder!’ Grace looked shocked by her outburst and said immediately, ‘I beg your pardon, but I do not need a gentleman to escort me, Papa. I thought I might take Betty.’
The parson laid down his knife and fork. ‘And how, pray, do you expect the poor child to get back? Why, she has less sense than a peahen.’
Wolf watched as Grace opened her mouth to protest, then closed it again. He felt a certain sympathy for her.
‘I understand your concerns, Miss Duncombe, but your father is right, I had already decided to go to London within the next few days. In fact, we were discussing the matter before dinner. However, I shall not inflict my company upon you if it is so abhorrent.’
‘Thank you, sir, but Papa is correct,’ came the stiff reply. ‘It would be sensible to travel together.’
‘Then perhaps a private chaise might be in order.’ Wolf saw her brows go up and added coldly, ‘The burden for this extravagance would not fall upon your father, my funds are more than sufficient.’
Her response was equally chilly.
‘You must excuse me if your dress and your manner of arrival caused me to doubt that.’
‘When I landed in England I wanted to attract the least possible attention. Thus I travelled as a gentleman of middling fortune, and with only one portmanteau. Going to London is another matter.’ She looked sceptical and, goaded, he went on, ‘Be assured, madam, I could hire a dozen private chaises to convey me there if I so wished!’
Wolf clamped his jaws together. He thought he had learned to govern his hot temper, but this woman brought out the worst in him. He wondered if he should apologise to his host, but the parson was unperturbed and helping himself to another portion of lamb from the dish at his elbow.
‘Where will you stay, my son? I am sure my sister would put you up.’
‘But, Papa, Hans Place is very out of the way. Even Aunt Eliza admits it is not convenient for the fashionable shopping areas such as Bond Street.’
‘Do I look as if I wish to shop in a fashionable area?’ Wolf retorted. Those dark eyes flashed with anger, but she made no response. He said stiffly, ‘Thank you, sir, but I shall arrange my own accommodation when I reach town.’
‘As you wish, my boy, but I shall send an express to Eliza, so she may expect you. She would never forgive me if she learned you had been so close and had not visited her.’ He sat back. ‘Now, if we have all finished shall we retire to the drawing room? I will ask Truscott to serve our brandy there and we can discuss the details of your journey.’
* * *
Grace put down her napkin. So she was to be allowed no respite. If only she had not been so precipitate! She had dashed off her reply to her aunt and asked Truscott to send one of the village lads to Hindlesham with it, to catch the night mail. It would look very odd if she were to cry off now.
‘Miss Duncombe?’
She heard Wolf Arrandale’s voice behind her and realised he was waiting to escort her from the room. There was nothing for her to do but rise and put her fingers on his sleeve.
‘This has put you in an awkward situation,’ he said as they entered the drawing room. ‘If I had not agreed the whole with your father before dinner I might have told him I needed to remain here a little longer.’
‘And if I had not been so quick to write to my aunt.’ She gave a little smile as she released his arm and walked to a chair beside the fire. ‘I fear Fate has conspired against us, sir, and I for one am not disposed to fight it any longer.’
‘Will you cry friends with me, then?’
She said cautiously, ‘Not friends, but not enemies, either.’
‘That will do for me.’
He held out his hand and instinctively she put up her own. She stared at the red mark across his knuckles and said remorsefully, ‘That looks very sore.’
