‘I am sorry. I cannot imagine how it must be to live in a house of strife.’
‘Do not pity me, madam. It was a bed of my own making. Arrandales are masters of it, we go through life raking hell, so we should not complain when we get burned.’
Grace wanted to reach out to him, to comfort the lonely boy he must have been and the angry, wayward young man growing up without a parent’s love. She gripped her hands tightly together in her lap. Ten years in exile had made him bitter and he would not want her comfort, or her sympathy.
And whatever Papa said, she was not even sure that he deserved it.
They came to a halt and by the light of the streetlamps Grace could see they were in a square surrounded by terraces of tall, new buildings. As they alighted from the cab the door of one of the houses was thrown open and Aunt Eliza came flying out.
‘Dear Grace, how happy I am to see you and in such good time, too. I have been looking out for you this past hour, but I really did not expect you to arrive so soon. Come in, my dear, come in. And Mr Peregrine, too. Come in, sir, we cannot welcome you properly while we are standing on the street!’
Wolf thought it was like being taken up by a small whirlwind. Mrs Graham ushered them inside, talking all the time and never pausing until they were in the welcome warmth of her elegant drawing room.
‘Now then, a little refreshment. Jenner, fetch the tray, if you please.’
‘Thank you, ma’am, but I will not stay,’ said Wolf. ‘I came only to see Miss Duncombe delivered safely to you. The cab is waiting.’
‘Nonsense, Mr...Peregrine.’ She was smiling and looking at him with a decided twinkle in her sharp eyes. ‘My brother mentioned that you were an old acquaintance and I see it now. Yes, I remember you very well, sir, and I will not allow you to go anywhere else tonight. You shall stay here, as my guest. No, not another word. I insist. Jenner, send Robert to pay off the cabbie and fetch in Mr Peregrine’s bags. He is to take them to the blue room, if you please, and do you bring in the refreshments. Wine, I think, and a little bread and butter. Unless you would like Cook to find you something hot for supper?’
Wolf shook his head and Grace said politely, ‘Thank you, no. We dined on the road.’
‘Oh, I should have had Jenner take your greatcoat, sir, but never mind, take it off and throw it over the chair over there, with Grace’s cloak, then come and sit by the fire, do.’
The lady was already pulling Grace down on to a sofa beside her, so Wolf took a chair opposite. He glanced at the door, to make sure it was firmly shut.
‘So you know me, Mrs Graham?’
‘Lord bless you, sir, I remember you very well,’ came the cheerful reply. ‘You were always in a scrape as a boy and it seems to me that nothing has changed.’
‘I fear this time it is more than a scrape, ma’am—’ He broke off as the butler returned.
‘Yes, well,’ said his hostess, ‘we will discuss everything as soon as we are settled comfortably. Thank you, Jenner, that will be all. I shall ring when I need you again.’ She paused just long enough for the butler to withdraw before saying, ‘Now, why has my niece brought you to London, Mr Wolfgang?’
‘I did not bring him, Aunt!’
‘I have come to find my late wife’s dresser,’ he said, when Mrs Graham waved aside Grace’s indignant protest. ‘I believe she may be able to help me discover the truth about my wife’s death and the theft of the Sawston diamonds.’
‘And about time, too.’
‘You believe he is innocent, Aunt?’
Wolf winced at Grace’s surprised tone. It was clear what she thought of him.
‘Those of us acquainted with Wolfgang Arrandale as a boy know he is no villain, my love.’ Mrs Graham turned her eyes towards him and added drily, ‘However, from what I heard of the situation at the Hall ten years ago, I could understand if youhadmurdered your wife.’
‘You are frank indeed, madam! I did not do so, however.’
‘And how do you intend to prove it?’
‘I need to find out what happened to the necklace. Its loss was reported by my wife’s dresser. I know Meesden came to London after my wife’s death and set herself up in a little shop. She could not have done so on the salary my wife paid her.’
‘And where is this shop?’ asked Mrs Graham. ‘Perhaps we could help you find this woman.’
‘Aunt, no!’ exclaimed Grace.
‘Thank you, ma’am, but your niece came here to get away from me,’ said Wolf.
‘I am sorry, sir, if I appear unfeeling, but—’
