‘But why should she do that?’ asked Florence, puzzled. ‘She said she lo—’
‘That is quite enough about me,’ Grace interrupted her hastily. ‘Perhaps your wound is paining you, sir, and you should leave this interview for another time.’
He ignored the hint.
‘It does hurt a little,’ he admitted, climbing to his feet. ‘It would be easier if we could all sit on the sofa.’ He held out his hand to Florence. ‘You could sit between us, what do you say?’
‘Very well,’ she said, but she clung even closer to Grace.
He sat down at one end of the sofa with Grace perched nervously at the other. Florence was between them, leaning against Grace and holding her hand. Wolf smiled at Florence, but when he raised his eyes to Grace she put her chin in the air and looked stonily ahead.
‘Do you know, Florence,’ he remarked, ‘since your mama died I have been wandering the world, quite lost.’
‘Like a prince in a fairy tale?’ said Florence. She was gazing at him much more openly now. ‘Did you have lots of adventures?’
‘Hundreds,’ he replied promptly.
‘Tell me!’ Florence was no longer leaning against Grace.
‘Well, there was the time I helped your cousin Lady Cassandra escape from the French...’
Most of his adventures were not suitable for a little girl, but this one kept Florence transfixed. Her eyes positively shone when he described how he had jumped on his horse and ridden away, chased by the French officers while Cassie and Raoul made their escape.
‘They were taken on board a smuggling vessel and carried safely to England,’ he ended.
‘And did you escape from the soldiers unhurt?’ breathed Florence, wide-eyed. He noticed that she had moved a little closer to him.
‘Not quite. I was wounded and unfortunately my faithful horse was shot from under me.’
‘Was that your black stallion?’ asked Grace.
‘Yes.’
Wolf was surprised she had remembered that. He was heartened, too, but she was already turning away and looking very stern, as if angry that she had been drawn into speaking to him. He turned back to his daughter. She had released Grace’s hand and was now turned towards him.
He said, ‘I have been thinking, Florence, that I should settle down and make a home for myself here at Arrandale. Do you think that would be a good idea?’
Florence considered this. ‘Would I have to come and live with you?’
‘You do not have to do anything,’ he said quickly. ‘I have discussed it with Alex and Diana, and they are happy for you to live with them for as long as you wish.’
The little girl nodded solemnly. ‘I like living with them. And with Meggie. She is mybestestfriend.’
‘Then I would not take you away from her.’
Wolf smiled, but it was an effort. They were strangers still, he could not expect his daughter to throw her arms about him and beg to come and live with him.
‘Perhaps you and Meggie could stay at Arrandale sometimes,’ Grace suggested. ‘It would be a holiday for you.’
Wolf threw her a grateful look, but she was still resolutely ignoring him.
‘It would be a holiday for me, too,’ he said. ‘But I would need to learn how to go on. I have never had such young guests here before.’ Wolf paused, then decided to risk all. ‘It would help if I had a wife. What do you think, Miss Duncombe, do you know anyone suitable?’ Grace was sitting very still. He added softly, ‘Someone who loves me with all her heart and soul.’
* * *
Grace fought down a gasp of dismay. So he had heard that. It was embarrassing, but it made no difference. She would not give in.
She said icily, ‘No, sir, I do not.’
