Paul Seddon knocked urgently on the door and waited.
He did not quite know what he was doing here, only that he had to see her. Admittedly, he felt a little guilty leaving Anna on her own with the baby, but they were both sleeping soundly when he had left. This had to be done. And he told himself it needn’t take too long.
The door was opened by a maid with a red wine birthmark across half her face.
‘Is Lady Fonthill at home?’
The maid nodded mutely, her expression fearful.
‘Will you tell her that Paul Seddon is here? I wish to offer my condolences. We are … friends.’ That word, dare he say it? All things considered, he believed he had the right.
The silent maid showed him into a drawing room and closed the door on him. He paced the room, looking around distractedly, overawed by his intentions more than his surroundings.
It was not too late to back out. He could slip away before she came, or he could simply keep to himself all the things he had it in mind to say.
He heard the door open. His heart quickened as he turned to face her.
Her expression was complex, wary, almost unwelcoming. It would take all his courage to go through with this.
‘Paul? What are you doing here?’
‘I just wanted to … see you.’
‘See me?’
‘To see how you’re bearing up.’
‘That’s … very decent of you.’
‘Also, I wanted to reassure you.’
Emma gave a guarded nod, encouraging him to go on, without committing herself.
‘You have nothing to worry about. I destroyed it.’
‘What are you talking about?’
‘The handkerchief. With Aidan’s blood on it. I burnt it for you.’
‘I didn’t ask you to do that.’
‘No, but I thought … well, if the police knew how much blood there was on your hands … You needn’t worry. I won’t tell them.’
‘I told you. I took his pulse.’
‘There was a lot of blood, Emma. More blood than that.’
‘That might have been your impression, but I can assure you …’
‘It’s all right. I understand. I know what a beast he was. Why you did it. You needn’t worry. I won’t say anything.’
‘But you said yourself, it was that piano tuner person. You saw him.’
‘Yes. Who was that? Someone who helped you do it? I hope it’s someone you can trust, otherwise we’re in trouble.’
‘We?’
‘Don’t you see? I’m compromised too, now. I’ve destroyed evidence for you.’
‘What do you want from me? Money, is it? For your sister and that child of hers?’
‘Money? No, this isn’t about money!’
Understanding dawned on her face, which did not result in the expression he might have hoped for. ‘Oh, God … don’t tell me …’
‘I would do anything for you, Emma.’
‘You don’t know what you’re saying. You don’t know anything about it.’
‘I know all I need to know. I know I …’
‘Don’t. Please, don’t.’
‘I understand. It’s too soon. I just wanted you to know, you can count on me.’
A look of calculation came over Emma’s face. ‘I do appreciate … everything you’ve done for me. But it’s not what you think. I can’t explain now. Perhaps one day. Until then, you’ll just have to trust me.’
‘Of course.’
She rushed to cross the space that stood between them, taking his hands in hers, raising them to her mouth to kiss.
‘Thank you, Paul.’
His heart felt like scattered feathers in the air.