‘I am aware. I have an extra footman on the carriage today.’
‘And I have your word you will go home tomorrow?’
‘Yes. That is all arranged.’ She cast a shy glance up at him. ‘Shall I see you, at Arrandale?’
Wolf had been expecting this and had his answer ready.
‘No. I must go to the Hall, but I will not have you or your father involved any further in this business.’
‘But if you can prove you are innocent—’
‘It would take a miracle to get a confession from Urmston, and I have never believed in miracles.’ He shook his head. ‘If we can find the diamonds that will throw doubt upon my guilt. Not enough to convince a jury, I have no doubt that in their eyes the fact that I was found kneeling over the bodies of both my wife and her dresser, with their blood on my hands, would be enough to condemn me, but Richard might convince my daughter I am no murderer.’
‘But we cannot give up hope.’
She looked at him, confident that justice could prevail. Experience had taught Wolf otherwise, but her faith was endearing. He wanted to kiss her, to lose himself in her soft goodness. She had responded to his kiss before, she would again, all he had to do was reach out and take her. Mentally he drew back, reining in his desire. She was betrothed to another man. He might seduce her, kiss and caress her until she was unable to resist him, but she would never forgive herself for breaking her vows. She was too good, too honest to bear the deceit. It would destroy her.Hewould destroy her.
‘I shall not stay in England. Richard and I will appoint a good steward at Arrandale and I shall provide a dowry for little Florence, but then I shall go abroad.’
‘Within the month I shall be married and living at Hindlesham.’ Her eyes sparkled with tears. ‘If your innocence is proved you need not leave Arrandale for my sake.’
He forced a laugh and said carelessly, ‘Grace, m’dear, this isn’t aboutyou. The truth is I am too restless to stay in any one place or be faithful to any one woman. I have been a vagabond for too long. I shall never settle down.’
He looked away from the pain in her eyes. He was hurting her, he knew it, but it was for the best. He had never been anything but a wastrel and she deserved so much more than that.
He said, ‘It is time for you to go. Let us get on with it. If you are ready?’
She nodded silently, looking so unhappy that he crossed the space between them in a single stride and took her hands, carrying them to his lips.
‘I am more grateful than I can say for what you have done, Grace, believe me.’
‘Thank you,’ she whispered. The dark lashes swept down, shielding her eyes. Her fingers trembled in his grasp, he felt her steeling herself for what was to come. Gently she freed herself and gave a little nod. ‘Now. Let us finish this.’
Wolf grabbed the chair and sent it crashing behind him, saying in a loud, angry voice, ‘Damnation, woman, I amsickof your moralising!’ He strode across the cell and pounded on the door, exclaiming, once the guard’s footsteps rang on the stone flags, ‘If all you can do is preach at me, madam, then you had best go now. And good riddance to you!’
As the guard opened the door Grace flicked her veil over her face and hurried out. As expected, the outer office was bustling. The usual officer was not yet on duty and she signed herself out. No one questioned that she was leaving within minutes of her arrival and she hurried away to her carriage, tears of despair welling in her eyes. She had been foolish enough to think she was the reason Wolf would not stay at Arrandale and he had lost no time in correcting her. It should not matter, she was marrying Loftus, if he would have her, so why should she care what Wolf thought of her? But shedidcare. Today in that cheerless little cell she had admitted to herself something she had been so resolutely ignoring for weeks. She was in love with Wolf Arrandale.
* * *
Wolf threw himself down on his bed while he waited for the hour to pass. He hated parting from Grace in so rough a fashion, even though they both knew it was contrived. He hated parting from her at all, but it had to be. There was no future for them and he consoled himself with the fact that she would soon forget him, once she was married to her magistrate.
From above came muted shouts and angry voices as drunken rioters were brought in to spend the night in the lock-up. That part of the plan seemed to be working and a few moments later he heard the jovial banter and rough insults that accompanied the changing of the guard. Wolf sat up. That was what he had been waiting for. The officers on duty now would not have seen Grace leaving early and with luck they would not question the veiled figure who would shortly be making her way out of the prison. Quietly, listening intently for any approaching footsteps, he gathered together the clothes Grace had smuggled in for him over the past five days.
* * *
Wolf’s escape from the gaol was almost ludicrously easy. The guard was so used to Grace quitting Wolf’s cell at this time that he hardly looked at the cloaked and veiled figure waiting to be let out and he barely glanced at the dark shape on the bed. The dim light helped to disguise the fact that there was nothing more than pillows and blankets beneath the covers.
Above stairs was a scene of uproar. Constables argued with their more drunk and belligerent charges and, as Grace had predicted, the beleaguered officer in charge merely waved the veiled figure on her way without even looking at the register. From beneath the veil, Wolf watched several drunken men crowd the desk, berating the guards. It might be hours before they discovered the deception. Wolf kept his large hands hidden inside Grace’s swansdown muff and shortened his stride to a more ladylike step as he made his way out of the gaol. No one accosted him, but he did not breathe until he was in the coach and driving away from Horsemonger Lane.
Quickly he discarded the bonnet, cloak and skirts that had masked his identity and replaced them with the hat and riding jacket he found on the seat. Looking out of the carriage, he gave a small grunt of satisfaction. They were travelling south, away from the river. If anyone did remark them they would think he was heading for Dover. So far so good, but he would feel happier once he had reached New Cross, where Kennet should be waiting with the horses.
* * *
Darkness was falling by the time the coach pulled up at a busy inn. If the driver thought it odd that a heavily veiled lady had climbed into his carriage and a fashionable gentleman was leaving it, he showed no sign and Wolf tossed him a silver coin to add to the handsome payment he had already received for his services. Glancing back along the road, he caught a flash of movement on the horizon, riders outlined against the last remaining strip of daylight. Wolf’s eyes narrowed. They were approaching fast. He had hoped for a little more time before his escape was discovered.
Recalling his brother’s instructions, Wolf crossed the inn yard and out through a narrow gate on the far side, into a back lane. Once he was out of sight of any casual observer he began to run. In the dim light of the rising moon he could just make out a stand of trees a short distance ahead of him. As he approached he heard the faint snuffle of a horse.
‘Kennet?’ He spoke softly. ‘Are you there?’
