‘I have been so happy here, Samuel,’ she replied, taking his arm, ‘and would be content to remain here for the rest of our lives, but I’m sure little Richard will be missing us, and-’
‘Pardon, Monsieur Ravenscroft, Madame Ravenscroft. Your carriage is ready to take you to your boat at St Malo,’ interrupted the waiter.
‘Thank you, Philippe,’ replied Ravenscroft.
‘Your bags have been sent on ahead, monsieur’
‘Thank you.’
‘I trust madame and monsieur have found everything to their satisfaction at the Hotel Gandolphi, and that we may have the satisfaction of seeing you again some other day?’
‘Indeed,’ said Ravenscroft, tipping the waiter, before taking Lucy’s arm and leading the way towards the front entrance of the hotel, to where a horse-drawn carriage awaited them.
Ravenscroft opened the door of the carriage, as another vehicle suddenly swept into the entrance way. ‘After you, my dear,’ he said, helping his wife up the steps of their carriage, whilst the driver steadied the horse.
The manager of the Gandolphi walked down the entrance steps and opened the door of the other conveyance. ‘Welcome to the Hotel Gandolphi, monsieur, madame.’
Ravenscroft looked across and saw an elderly gentleman with a long white beard alighting from the vehicle. Wearing a black cloak over a shabby black suit, and a large hat, the new arrival stared round at his new surroundings. His companion, a young woman of striking appearance, laughed and smiled as she placed her arm within his and looked up into his face.
For a brief moment, Ravenscroft thought the old man looked across in his direction, before shuffling up the steps of the Gandolphi.
‘Come, Samuel, or our boat will sail without us,’ called Lucy from within the carriage.
‘I’m sorry, my dear. It’s just, I thought I recognized someone, but I must have been mistaken.’
Ravenscroft climbed into the carriage, and their conveyance set off at a brisk pace in the direction of St Malo.
Inside the Gandolphi, the manager was examining the papers of the strange couple who stood before him. ‘These all seem in order. You are Mademoiselle Mary Jane Kelly?’
‘Marie Jeanette,’ corrected the young woman, laughing and squeezing her elder companion’s arm.
‘Pardon, mademoiselle. Marie Jeanette Kelly, of course. Here are your papers as well, monsieur.’
‘Thank you,’ replied the old man.
‘We hope you will enjoy your stay in Dinard, Monsieur Cranston.’
‘I’m sure I will. Thank you. You are most kind. I’m sure I will enjoy my stay here a great deal,’ replied the old man smiling.…