He was not noticeably dashed and addressed his next remarks to Florence.
‘It is important she loves me, because I must restore Arrandale. There are years of neglect to put right and I have to repay Richard too, so I cannot offer her a life of idle luxury. But then, the lady I have in mind would not want that.’
Grace maintained a dogged silence and after a moment he continued.
‘And of course I must loveher, too, with all my heart and soul, if we are to live happily ever after.’
‘I do not believe in fairy tales, Mr Arrandale,’ said Grace, goaded into a reply.
‘Not even Beauty and the Beast?’ he asked her. ‘Where the hero is transformed by the love of a good woman?’
Florence giggled.
‘That is what happened to Alex,’ she confided to Wolf. ‘He says he wasverybad before he fell in love with Diana.’
Grace was surprised into a laugh which she quickly turned to a cough. It was too ridiculous for words! She tried very hard not to look at Wolf, but it was impossible. One shy, tentative glance showed her that he was smiling and her pulse leapt erratically when she saw the glow in his eyes. She tried to calm it, to keep her heart and her feelings wrapped in an icy numbness.
‘There you are then,’ he said softly. ‘Miracles can happen.’
‘No, they do not,’ she retorted.
‘That is not what you said when we found the necklace,’ he reminded her.
She ignored that.
‘I stopped believing in miracles five years ago when all my prayers and tears could not save Henry.’
‘Who is Henry?’ asked Florence.
‘He was the best man who ever lived,’ said Grace, chin up and eyes fixed firmly on Wolf. ‘Hewas no restless vagabond to capture a maiden’s heart with false promises. His love was steady, constant.’
‘And yet he left you,’ said Wolf softly.
Grace winced.
‘I must go,’ she said. ‘Pray be good enough to summon your carriage to take me home, Mr Arrandale.’
‘Grace—’
He broke off as the door opened and Lady Davenport appeared.
‘Oh. I beg your pardon; I was looking for Florence.’
Grace knew that Diana’s keen eyes would assess the situation instantly: her own rigid posture, Wolf half-turned in his seat, gazing at her, and little Florence between them, blissfully unaware of the tensions swirling around.
Diana continued with barely a pause. ‘I have been looking for you, my love.’
The little girl slipped off the sofa and went over to her.
‘I have been talking to my papa.’
Florence said the words proudly, but Grace hardened her heart against feeling anything for Wolf’s daughter.
‘I am very glad to see it.’ Diana smiled and held out her hand. ‘But it is time to change your dress. No, no, do not get up, Miss Duncombe. I shall take Florence away and we will meet again at dinner.’
She whipped Florence out of the room and closed the door before Grace could force out one word. Even her limbs refused to move. She remained on the sofa, staring ahead, and all the time Wolf’s gaze was on her face.
‘I cannot stay,’ she managed at last, although she still could not tear herself from her seat.
