The Repentant Rake

    'Then I'll stay.'

    'Leave him to me.'

    'You may need help, Jonathan.'

    'I can manage.'

    'We are in this together.'

    'True.'

    'You, me - and Sam,' said Warburton, fondling his dog. 'He found the body.'

    'I have not forgotten that, Tom.'

    Jonathan was pleased at the prospect of company during what might prove to be a long vigil but worried that he might not be able to make the arrest himself. The attack on Christopher Redmayne had upset him deeply. Jonathan felt that he had a personal score to settle on behalf of his friend. If the man posing as Gabriel Cheever did arrive at the printer's, he wanted to be the one to confront him. It was a selfish attitude and he chided himself for it but that did not lessen his desire to be instrumental in the arrest. There was, however, another factor to be taken into account. If the man did reappear, he might not be alone. His accomplice might be with him. That could cause a problem even for Jonathan. His colleague's support might be valuable, after all, and it would be very unfair to exclude the dog.

    'Thanks, Tom,' he said with feeling. 'Good to have you with me.'

    Sam gave a bark of gratitude. He wanted to be involved in any action.

    The unheralded arrival of Sir Julius Cheever took both women by surprise. Lucy was quite overwhelmed when he suddenly appeared on her doorstep and she did not know how to react. Susan was dismayed. Much as she loved him, she felt that he had come at an awkward time. During their long conversations, she and Lucy were drawing ever closer. The presence of Sir Julius in such a limited space made any exchange of confidences quite impossible.

    'Why have you come, Father?' she asked.

    'I felt that I had to, Susan,' he said. 'I cannot mourn my son properly until his killer has been brought to justice. Instead of sitting in Northamptonshire, I ought to be here, helping in the search.'

    'It is good to see you again, Sir Julius,' said Lucy.

    'My apologies for coming unannounced.'

    'They are unnecessary.'

    They were in the house in Knightrider Street. Travel had patently tired Sir Julius. He had lost much of his animation. Lucy felt obliged to offer him accommodation.

    'You are most welcome to stay here,' she offered.

    'No, no, Lucy,' he said 'I would not dream of it.'

    'Anna can soon prepare the other bedchamber.'

    'I have already taken a lodging at the King's Head in Holborn. It is close to Mr Redmayne's house in Fetter Lane. I called there first but his servant told me he was out. He also said that Mr Redmayne had been attacked.' He turned to Susan. 'Is this true?'

    'Unhappily, it is.'

    'Was he injured?'

    'Yes, Father,' she said, 'I saw him myself this morning.'

    'Tell me what happened.'

    Conscious of Lucy's presence, she chose her words carefully, describing the violence of the attack but making no mention of the fact that Christopher had been out with his brother. While she was able to praise Christopher's bravery, she knew that the plight of Henry Redmayne would provoke only disgust in her father. Susan went on to explain that Christopher and Jonathan Bale were continuing their investigations.

    'How can I get in touch with them?' said Sir Julius anxiously.

    'Mr Redmayne promised to call here if there was any news to report.'

    'When did you last see him?'

    'A few hours ago.'

    'We have already dined, Sir Julius,' said Lucy sweetly, 'but you are welcome to refreshment after your journey.'

    'No, thank you,' he said. 'I seem to have lost my appetite lately.'

    'So have I.'

    'What I would like to do, with your permission, is to stay here awhile.'

    'Please do, Sir Julius.'

    'Yes,' said Susan without enthusiasm. 'It will give us an opportunity to catch up on your news. Does Brilliana know that you are back in London?'

    'No. Nor must she at this stage.'

    'Why not?' asked Lucy innocently.

    'My elder daughter behaved very badly after the funeral,' said Sir Julius. 'I will not easily forgive her for that. Fortunately, her husband had the sense to take her back to Richmond. I never thought I'd be grateful to Lancelot Serle but I am. He did the right thing. I'm grateful to the fellow and - dare I admit it? - profoundly sorry for him, being married to someone like Brilliana.'

    'He was very kind to me,' recalled Lucy.

    'Lancelot is a very considerate man,' said Susan.

    'That may be,' agreed Sir Julius gruffly, 'but he is still a dolt and best left down in Richmond until this whole business is settled.' He slapped his knee. 'This inaction will be the death of me. I was not meant to sit around and do nothing. I want to join in the hunt. Where is Mr Redmayne? I want the latest news.'

    It was the ideal place for a tryst. Situated in a quiet lane not far from Charing Cross, the house was small, neat and indistinguishable from those either side of it. When he first saw the building, Christopher Redmayne felt a slight flush of guilt. Its very anonymity had recommended the house to his brother as a place in which to further his romance with Lady Ulvercombe. Assignations had taken place there over a brief period. Looking at it now, Christopher wondered yet again why Henry permitted himself to get drawn into such entanglements. They invariably ended in sorrow. This particular relationship might have even more serious consequences. Christopher was mildly embarrassed that he was put in the position of trying to rescue his brother from the ire of a cuckolded husband. He was not looking forward to the task but somebody had to take it on.

    When he gave his surname at the door, he was admitted at once. It was only when he stood in the hall and removed his hat that the servant was able to take a close look at him. After flinching at the sight of his injured face, the man became suspicious.

    'You are not Mr Henry Redmayne, sir,' he said.

    'I am his brother, Christopher.'

    'Is Lady Ulvercombe expecting you?'

    'Tell her that I have come on Henry's behalf.'

    The man's eyes clouded with doubt and he disappeared for a long time. Christopher feared that Lady Ulvercombe would refuse to see him and he would be sent ignominiously on his way. It made him even more self-conscious. He glanced at the staircase, wondering how many times his brother had climbed it with his fleeting conquest. When the servant reappeared, he warned Christopher that he would be seen on sufferance. It was evident from his tone that Lady Ulvercombe was very annoyed that Henry had not come in person. Steeling himself, Christopher went into the parlour.

    She was standing beside the window that overlooked the garden, choosing a position where the light fell on her to best advantage. Lady Ulvercombe was a tall, stately woman in her thirties who paid meticulous attention to her appearance. She had the kind of glacial beauty that reminded him of Brilliana Cheever but her immaculate attire marked her superior social status. When she turned to Christopher, she wrinkled her nose at the sight of his face.

    'I apologise for my appearance, Lady Ulvercombe,' he said politely, 'but I was attacked in the street last night.'

    She was unsympathetic. 'Did you bear any resemblance to your brother before that incident?' she said. 'I can discern none whatsoever now. Where is he?'