Page 30 of The Outcast's Redemption
‘It was nothing, Master—Mr Arr—I mean...’
‘You may be easy, Jones. Miss Duncombe knows who I am now.’
The man looked as if a great weight had been taken from his shoulders.
‘Well that’s a mercy. I’ll wish ’ee both good day, then, sir. Miss Duncombe.’
They trotted away. Grace’s head was bursting. Speculation, arguments, doubts whirled about and they were halfway across the park before she broke the silence.
‘If you are innocent, you should have stayed and defended yourself.’
‘I know.’
‘So why did you flee the country?’
‘My father insisted I leave. He and my wife’s cousin bundled me out of the house before I could think clearly. My father had...connections at Sizewell who would take me across to France.’
‘Do you mean smugglers?’
He nodded. ‘The weather was bad so I remained at an inn on the quay for a few days. It gave me a chance to think it all through. I had just decided to turn back when word reached me that the diamonds were missing and the Sawstons were bringing a prosecution against me for theft and murder. Thus I am as you see me, Miss Duncombe. A fugitive with a price on his head.’
They had reached the gap in the paling and Wolf stopped to let Grace go first. He wondered what she thought of him now. He was somewhat encouraged when she waited on the road for him to join her.
‘Well,’ he said, as they moved off towards the vicarage. ‘You now hold my life in your hands.’
She threw him a troubled look. ‘Pray do not joke about it, Mr Arrandale. It is not a responsibility I want, I assure you.’
She tensed and he looked up to see Sir Loftus trotting out of the vicarage drive. He nodded at Wolf before turning to address Grace.
‘This is the second day in a row that I have missed you, my dear. If I were the suspicious sort I should think you were avoiding me.’
She laughed and replied with perfect calm, ‘Now how can that be, sir, when I had no idea you were going to call today? I have been taking advantage of the fine weather to show our guest around the area.’
‘Indeed? And how much longer do you intend to remain in Arrandale, Mr Peregrine?’
‘Oh, I hardly know, a few days, a week.’
Wolf waited for Braddenfield to ask him the nature of his business here, but Grace gave the man no chance. She reached across and put a hand on his arm.
‘It must be nearly dinner time, Loftus. Will you not stay and take pot luck with us? It will give me the opportunity to make amends for not being in when you called.’
Wolf held his breath. The last thing he wanted was to spend the evening in the company of a Justice of the Peace. Not by the flicker of an eyelid did he show his relief when Braddenfield declined the invitation.
‘Another time, perhaps,’ he said, patting Grace’s hand. ‘My mother is expecting me.’
‘Of course.’ Smiling, Grace gathered up her reins. ‘Pray give her my regards.’
‘That was close,’ murmured Wolf, as they watched Sir Loftus ride away.
‘Not at all,’ she replied. ‘I learned last night that his mother’s companion is visiting her family and I knew he would not leave his mama to dine alone. It was quite safe to invite him.’
A laugh escaped Wolf. ‘By Gad, then it was very coolly done, ma’am.’
Two spots of colour painted her cheeks.
‘It was very badly done,’ she retorted, kicking her horse on. ‘Do not think I take pleasure in deceiving an honest man!’
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