Talek lifted his head to look at her. It was a poor attempt at a joke. He turned to find that she was not smiling either.
‘You don’t have the monopoly on the act. I thought I would give it a try and see how it would benefit me.’
‘And did it?’
Talek left the window and went to his desk. He picked up several letters and flicked through them. He saw Amelia’s. He knew its contents as he had read it over and over since finding it. He stared at her familiar writing, each curve and tail tugging at his heart.
‘I’m so sorry for your loss. I have only just heard about the accident and was unsure whether to come . . .’
Talek placed Amelia’s letter in a drawer, abruptly closed it and looked up. ‘Why?’
‘I didn’t want to upset you.’
‘I’m already upset.’ He saw her stiffen and realised he had spoken sharply. ‘I’m sorry. Today is not my best day.’
‘There’s no need to apologise.’
Her comforting voice reminded him of all that he’d lost. She was as beautiful as he remembered, the colour of her hair and eyes, accentuated by her black mourning clothes, reminded him of spun copper and emeralds. If she came too close he might just reach for her and hold her close. Guilt that he should have such thoughts at his own sister’s funeral left a bad taste in his mouth. He returned his attention back to the remaining letters on his desk.
‘I’m glad you came. I would’ve wondered why you hadn’t if you had stayed away. Have you had something to eat and drink? Do help yourself to the food on offer.’
An uneasy silence descended. His invitation sounded as hollow as he felt, after all who could eat and drink on a day likethis? Yet in the next room his relatives and friends drank, ate and talked, while he hid in a room to mourn alone.
‘I have no appetite.’
Grace’s answer was somehow comforting. It meant that he was not the only one hurting today.
He glanced up at her. ‘You look well.’ It was the best compliment he could muster, although it was wholly inadequate for what he really thought.
‘You do not.’
He raised his eyebrow. ‘Don’t hold back on your thoughts.’
She looked down at her hands neatly cradled in front of her, then up at him again. She shrugged. ‘I promised myself I would never lie to you again.’
‘Amelia placed you in a difficult position.’ He dropped the remaining correspondence onto his desk unread. He knew he was fooling no one, least of all Grace. ‘Before she died she confessed her part in it. She said she told you that she knew about Henry’s fraud and that she promised you she would put a stop to it. I can understand you would have felt torn and unsure where your loyalties lay. You chose to protect my sister.’
Grace stepped forward. ‘I wanted to tell you. The last time we met I tried.’
He raised his hand. ‘Please, Grace, don’t be kind to me. I’m barely holding myself together right now.’
‘Then don’t. I’m here. Let me comfort you.’
He stepped away from her. ‘No. The Danning family has caused you a great deal of pain at a time when you had problems of your own. I’ve not been as understanding as I should and Amelia took advantage of you.’
Grace stepped forward. ‘That’s not true.’
He raised his hand again to halt her approach. ‘It is. Amelia lied to you too. Despite what she told you, she knew nothing of Henry’s contract. She pretended she did to protect him.’
Grace paused, her face ashen, her eyes filled with questions. He could guess what one of them was and answered it for her.
‘Amelia told me the day before she died. I’m sorry for my sister’s part in this mess. She placed you in a terrible dilemma.’
Grace walked toward him and cradled his face in her hands.
He wanted to be strong, but did not have the will to step away. Her soft soothing voice caressed his cheek as she drew closer.
‘It doesn’t matter.’
