Chapter Eight
Grace planned to spend the next day shopping for bride clothes with her aunt. She was obliged to remind Aunt Eliza several times that gowns such as those described in the society pages were not at all suitable.
‘I am marrying the squire of Hindlesham, ma’am, not the Prince of Wales,’ she declared over breakfast, when her aunt was once again poring over the latest newspaper to be delivered. ‘You have already squandered enough of your money on me and I would not have you waste more buying gowns I will never wear.’
‘Oh, very well.’ Aunt Eliza sighed, closing the newspaper and placing it on the table beside her. ‘But you must have a new silk for the wedding day, then you will need bonnets and reticules and a new redingote. Not to mention nightclothes.’
Grace concentrated fiercely on her breakfast. She did not want to think about nightclothes. She was resolved to do her wifely duty, but the idea of being intimate with Loftus was quite, quite different from the excitement she felt when she thought of Wolfgang. She closed her eyes. It could not last, this foolish infatuation that she had conceived. She did believe that. She did.
Grace was suddenly aware that a silence had fallen over the breakfast room. Opening her eyes, she saw her aunt staring in consternation at the newspaper.
She said sharply, ‘Aunt Eliza?’
Silently her aunt passed the paper across the table. Grace looked at the closely printed words and felt a chill as one paragraph stood out from the others. It was slyly phrased, calling Wolf ‘Mr W— A— of A—le’, but there could be no mistake. There could not be many men charged with murdering their wife ten years ago and stealing a valuable necklace. And a reward. Two hundred guineas in exchange for a man’s life.
‘Oh, my dear.’ Aunt Eliza’s anguished whisper brought Grace’s head up.
‘What can we do?’ she asked bleakly. ‘I do not even know how to reach him.’
Grace wanted to stay at home, in the hope that Wolf might call and she could warn him, but her aunt did not agree.
‘We are not expecting him and your nerves would be in shreds by the end of the day, my love. Let us instead write a note for Mr Peregrine. Jenner will see that he gets it, should he call. Trust me, my love, we are much better distracting ourselves in Bond Street. Now, you take Nelson for his morning walk and I will order the carriage.’
Grace wondered how Aunt Eliza could think of shopping at such a time, but a little reflection persuaded her that there was nothing to be gained by remaining in Hans Place. However, it was difficult to concentrate on silk or muslin or lace when she was constantly looking about her in the hope of seeing a very tall, dark gentleman on the street.
* * *
They returned to Hans Place to discover there had been no callers during their absence. Grace tried to hide her anxiety as she and her aunt went over their purchases, checking to see if there was anything else she required.
‘We have done very well,’ declared Aunt Eliza, ticking another item from her list. ‘The gowns we have ordered should be ready for you to take back to Arrandale with you. Indeed, we have ordered so much I wonder if we should hire a second carriage to carry it all. Grace?’ She put down her pen and paper. ‘Dearest, I do believe you have not heard a word I have said!’
‘I beg your pardon, Aunt. I was thinking that perhaps we should seek out Mr Richard Arrandale. I remember him saying they were in Mount Street.’
‘Grace, my love.’ Aunt Eliza reached out and put a hand on her arm. ‘If someone is searching for Mr Wolfgang they will be watching his brother’s house, too. If you begin sending urgent messages to him it may well alert the watcher tousand whoever it is might well begin to ask questions about a certain Mr Peregrine. Mr Wolfgang did not give you his direction because he did not wish to involve you.’
‘I know, but if he is in danger—’
‘I have no doubt that he is aware of what is in the newspapers and is taking extra care.’
‘Do you really think so, Aunt Eliza?’ Grace looked at her doubtfully.
‘I do, my love, but if we have heard nothing by the morning I will pay a call upon Mrs Richard Arrandale. After all, there would be nothing untoward about that, since we met at the Hathersedges’ ball the other night.’
* * *
Grace agreed and tried to be content, but there was no denying the relief she felt when her aunt received a letter, just as they finished dinner. As soon as they were alone Aunt Eliza tore open the sheet and confirmed that it was from Mr Wolfgang. She read it quickly.
‘Well, I am very encouraged by his cheerful tone.’
‘What does it say?’ demanded Grace, trying to read over her shoulder.
‘Meesden has agreed to talk to him. He says they are to meet in Vauxhall Gardens at eleven o’clock tonight.’ She gave a little laugh. ‘Listen, my love, “...that she is willing to pay the admission price tells me she is not quite so lacking in means as she would have us believe!”’
‘Or perhaps she has learned of the pension he has settled upon her.’ Grace smiled. ‘He went back to the lawyers yesterday especially to arrange it...’ Her smile faded. ‘May I look, Aunt?’
She took the letter and scanned it, a tiny crease settling between her brows.
‘What is it, my love? Is this not good news?’
