'But that's not where I'm going, Mr Redmayne.' 'Oh?'
'Father is taking me to Richmond so that I can stay with my sister and her husband,' she announced. 'He'll then go back home on his own.' His delighted reaction made her giggle slightly. 'You seem pleased by the news.'
'I'm overwhelmed with joy,' said Christopher.
'I could hardly stay in the city,' she went on. 'Not now that Lucy has decided to go back to her mother. London holds too many bitter memories for her.'
'I know,' he said sadly. 'It was sensible of her to agree to the destruction of that diary. I had immense satisfaction from burning it. In the wrong hands, your brother's memoirs did untold damage.' He moved to the edge of his seat and searched her eyes. 'Why did you choose to go to Richmond'
Susan gave a shrug. 'The thought of being stuck in the house with Father was not altogether enticing,' she explained. 'I elected to stay with Brilliana instead.'
'May I call on you there?'
'I'm relying on it, Mr Redmayne. I'll need some diversion.'
Christopher pulled a face. 'Is that all I am to you? A mere diversion?'
'What else are you?' she teased.
'I'll be happy to show you.'
He leaned forward to kiss her on the cheek and she squeezed his arm fondly.
'I fancy that my sister and I will be doing a lot of shopping in London,' she said artlessly. 'Of course, there will be times when Brilliana will be too busy to accompany me. I may have to come here alone, Mr Redmayne.'
Christopher beamed. 'You'll have no cause to repent that decision,' he promised.
Their laughter sealed the bond.