‘Go on.’ He watched her intently. Just seeing her lightened his heart.
‘She had embroidered “M.K. Sixteen, sixteen” on the hem of the gown. I took it for some sort of trademark, but now I am sure it is something quite different.’ Her fingers twisted and gripped his own. ‘It is a biblical reference,’ she explained. ‘Mark,ChapterSixteen,VerseSixteen.’
‘And do you know what it is?’
She shook her head. ‘I am not familiar with that text.’
‘And you a parson’s daughter.’
* * *
Grace heard his teasing tone, saw the glint of amusement in his eyes and for the first time that day she felt like smiling. ‘Surely the Arrandales are not so degenerate that they do not own a Bible.’
‘Aye, of course we do!’ He rose and looked around the room. ‘The thing is, where to find it...’ He grabbed one of the branched candlesticks from the mantelshelf and strode across to the desk, where several large leather-bound books had been piled up. ‘Here it is... What was the reference again?’ Quickly he turned to the pages. ‘Mark... Mark... Chapter Sixteen, Verse Sixteen:“He that believeth and is baptised shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned”.’
Grace had jumped up to join him, but as she listened her excitement faded.
‘Oh, dear. That is no use at all.’
‘Isn’t it?’ said Wolf, with an intense look that sent her heart skittering. ‘Baptism. She’s telling us the diamonds are in the font.’ He held out his hand. ‘Come along.’
