Grace helped herself to a bread roll. ‘On the contrary, I intend to visit Mr Arrandale again today.’
‘My dear girl, you cannot be serious!’
‘Never more so,’ she replied, not looking up. ‘As Papa’s daughter I must help those in need.’
‘But you said yourself Mr Arrandale has funds enough to pay for his comforts; surely one visit to him is enough. Heavens, my love, you ransacked my library to find works he might enjoy. I will not say I begrudge him the books—after all they have been sitting on the shelves since Mr Graham died andIshall never read them—but surely there can be no need for you to go back again.’
‘If Papa were here it is what he would do.’ Grace felt the colour heating her cheeks as those disturbing doubts returned. Of course she did notwantto see Wolf. Indeed, she would be far more comfortable if she could put him right out of her head, but how could she do that, when the shadow of the gallows hung over him?
She said aloud, ‘My mind is made up, Aunt Eliza, I shall visit Mr Arrandale every day while he remains in prison. It is my Christian duty.’
‘Well, you are of age and I cannot stop you. Although what your fiancé will say I am sure I do not know.’
Grace silently finished her breakfast. She would have to tell Loftus something of her activities in London and he might even decide to withdraw his offer of marriage. But that was for the future. For now, she could not abandon Wolf Arrandale, whatever it cost her.
* * *
Richard Arrandale was to see his brother every morning, so Grace timed her visit for later in the day. She took her maid, but Janet was reluctant to enter the prison and Grace left her in the carriage while she went in alone to see Wolf. She arrived to find Kennet with his master, playing backgammon. They both rose at her entry and although Wolf scowled and told her she should not have come, the glow in his eyes gave the lie. There was an awkward moment of silence. The valet coughed and muttered that perhaps he should go.
‘Yes—no,’ said Wolf. ‘What do you say, Miss Duncombe, would you prefer Kennet to stay?’ When she shook her head he waved a hand towards his man. ‘Come back in an hour. No, make it a little longer.’
Wolf had not taken his eyes off her and Grace struggled to keep still under his scrutiny.
I can do this,she told herself.It is no different from visiting any of Papa’s needy parishioners.
When they were alone he said again, ‘You should not have come.’
‘My father always asks after you in his letters.’
It was a poor enough excuse, but Wolf nodded.
‘Very well, then, Miss Duncombe. Will you not sit down?’
* * *
The days fell into a pattern. Grace was at her aunt’s disposal each morning, but every afternoon she made her way to Horsemonger Lane. Kennet was often in attendance, but as soon as Grace arrived he would excuse himself and leave them alone to talk. Grace had no fears for her safety, Wolf kept as much distance as possible between them during her visits. He might walk with the devil, but nothing could have exceeded his civility towards her.
The guards grew accustomed to Grace’s visits and soon gave no more than a cursory glance at her basket filled with books and a few little delicacies to augment the meals Kennet brought in from the local tavern. She also included extra pastries for the guards, who fell upon them with relish and it earned her a smile and a cheerful word from the warders as they escorted her to the prisoner.
Grace knew Richard was trying to build a case for his brother’s defence, but by tacit agreement she and Wolf never spoke of it. Instead they talked of unexceptional subjects such as books and art and the latest reports from the newspapers that Kennet brought for his master every day.
After an hour, or sometimes a little more, Grace would take her leave, pulling down her veil to hide the despair that choked her every time she left Wolf’s cell. Once a rogue tear escaped and splashed on to the page when she was signing out and after that the officer in charge waved her away, saying with gruff kindness that they could not have her spoiling their visitor register and he would sign her out in future.
* * *
Grace hoped that the parting would grow easier as the days went by, but at the end of the first week she felt more desolate than ever. She returned to Hans Place, hoping to slip upstairs unnoticed, but her aunt was waiting in the hall and asked her to step into the morning room.
‘My love,’ she said, as they sat down together on the sofa. ‘Another letter has arrived for you, from Hindlesham Manor. No doubt your fiancé is anxious to hurry your return.’
‘Quite possibly.’ Grace knew she must leave London very soon, but the hours she spent with Wolf were too precious and she could not give them up. Not yet. Under her aunt’s watchful eye she broke the seal on the letter and opened it.
‘Loftus sends his regards to you, Aunt,’ she said, reading quickly. ‘And he writes to tell me that the reception for Mrs Braddenfield’s birthday went off very well.’
‘You missed his mother’s birthday?’ Aunt Eliza put a hand on her knee. ‘Grace, my love, let me speak plainly. You should have been at Hindlesham for such an event.’
‘Loftus quite understands that I have not yet finished my business in London. If we were married it would be different.’ Grace glanced again at the letter. ‘Besides, he tells me Claire Oswald arranged everything perfectly. Indeed, as his mama’s companion she was by far the best person to do so.’
Aunt Eliza gave a little tut of exasperation.
