The Frost Fair Part 43

'It is, it is.'

'Yet the punishment was not wholly undeserved.'

'Yes, it was,' argued Henry. 'I was innocent.'

'Innocent of murder,' said the Dean, 'but guilty of sin. In thought and word, you wanted that man to die. You fell short only of the deed itself.'

Henry was soulful. 'I suppose that's true.'

'It is, my son. You'll be haunted by your sin. That dead body of the man you threatened will be frozen forever inside your skull like that corpse at the frost fair. You must pray daily for the salvation of Signor Maldini's soul. Only then will I know that you are not confusing Damascus with somewhere else.'

When the day of departure arrived, Susan Cheever found herself in two minds. Anxious to stay in London, she was yet ready to leave with Jack Cardinal and his mother. Part of her wanted to linger in the hope that Christopher would somehow get in touch with her. Another part of her, however, was deeply hurt that no word had come from him even though his brother had been exonerated. His silence gave credence to the worrying suggestion that the architect was showing a romantic interest in the daughter of his client. Susan was upset. It made her more vulnerable to Cardinal's respectful and unhurried attentions. Indeed, she had come to find both him and his mother such amenable companions that she looked forward to developing their friendship.

They gathered in the hall of the house in the Strand to express their grat.i.tude to Lord and Lady Eames for their hospitality. Servants, meanwhile, took their luggage out to the coach. It included several presents that Mrs Cardinal had purchased for herself and some gifts that her son had bought for Susan. When farewells had been completed, the whole party moved out into the porch and it was at that point that Susan felt the real poignancy of leaving the city. a.s.sisted by Cardinal, his mother was the first to manoeuvre her bulging frame into the waiting carriage. Susan was just about to take his proferred hand herself when she heard hoof beats on the drive. She let out an involuntary cry of joy when she saw who the horseman was. Christopher Redmayne was trotting towards her with a grin on his face.

He reined in the animal and dismounted, taking Susan's hand to kiss it in greeting. Christopher removed his hat politely to be introduced to everyone else. Requesting a brief moment alone with Susan, he took her aside. Cardinal had only to see the two of them together to realise that any hopes he might have had with regard to her were entirely misplaced. He took the disappointment well but his mother was less accommodating. Mrs Cardinal, feeling baulked, sat back in the coach so hard that it shook violently.

The conversation was short and constrained by the presence of others.

'Where have you been?' asked Susan with reproach in her eyes.

'Wrangling with lawyers on my brother's behalf,' he replied. 'It was much easier to put the guilty man in prison than to get an innocent one out again. I came as soon as I could, Susan, and I'm so glad that I caught you.'

'How is your brother?'

'Henry is thoroughly chastened and so am 1,' he said, glancing at the coach. 'Another five minutes and I'd have missed seeing you. I just came to ask for permission to call on you in Richmond - provided that your sister does not slam the door in my face again, that is.'

'Brilliana owes you an apology,' she said. Recalling the gossip she had heard, her manner became guarded. 'Will you come on to Richmond after you've visited your client in Sheen?'

'No, Susan,' he said, 'I'll not need to go there again.'

'But I understood that you had become friends with the family.'

'I try to be friendly towards all my clients but Lady Whitcombe has been far too demanding. With luck, I'll not see her or that strange daughter of hers until the house is actually built. Forget my client,' he advised. 'I'll be coming to Richmond solely to visit you, Susan. If you agree, that is. Do I have your permission?'

'No, Christopher,' she said with a smile. 'You have my request.'

'Request?'

'Please come at the earliest possible opportunity.'

Christopher burst out laughing then reached an instant decision.

'Step into the coach,' he said, 'and I'll follow you all the way to Richmond.'

end.