Daniel accepted his handclasp in silence.Even this did not jog Mr Grigsby’s memory.He knew he must say something.Yet his tongue refused to move.That his own guardian shouldn’t know him… Tantalus himself knew not such torment.His conscience demanded he reveal all.He owed the poor old gentleman everything he had.And yet, the selfish fearful part of him demanded his silence.Was it better to be known as himself with neither recognition nor affection, or to claim to be someone else—the pale shadow of a reflection of someone who never existed and yet whom his guardian loved—and face a return to life beneath the yoke of false identity?
“Is Mrs Durst at home?”Mr Grigsby asked, oblivious to Daniel’s inner torment—as he had been for so many years of Daniel’s life.“We will not tarry long.I’m certain she has a great many responsibilities as keeper of her own household,” he added with a fond chortle.“But I would be glad to see her well.”
Daniel might lie on his own behalf, but he could never deny his wife; though she in her infinite goodness would never have blamed him for self-preservation.However, he managed to force out the words to accompany his gesture towards her.“This is Mrs Durst.”
Sukie curtsied.
Mr Grigsby glanced between them with evident confusion.Nonetheless polite, he enquired, “Then—forgive me—where is Miss Fairfield?”
Daniel couldn’t make himself say it.
As it so happened, he need not do so.
For just as Lofthouse had recognised him as the one he’d once known under that particular title, recognition dawned at last in Mr Grigsby’s eyes.
“Miss Fairfield?”he gasped, his astonished gaze sweeping Daniel up and down.“But—by Jove—why?”
“Won’t you come in?”Daniel forced himself to say.
Mr Grigsby looked no less bewildered at the invitation.Still he set his jaw beneath his jowls and gamely entered the house.
Whereupon he staggered.
Daniel caught him but barely.
Throughout all this, the bearded stranger beside Mr Grigsby had said nothing.Now the stranger leapt lightly over the threshold with a curious ducking of his head beneath the door frame.Within a heartbeat he had tucked his arm under Mr Grigsby’s and supported him without any apparent effort, though concern remained evident in the heavy knit of his brow.
Sukie’s voice rang out over the heads of all the men.“The kitchen is straight through to the back.”
Daniel thanked Providence for his intelligent and prudent wife.
Soon Mr Grigsby was safely ensconced in a chair at the kitchen table with a glass of water before him and Sukie bustling about making tea behind.Daniel, who had assisted with neither the glass of water nor in bringing Mr Grigsby to the kitchen, knew he ought to dosomething, but his mind had run blank with horror.He could scarcely meet Mr Grigsby’s gaze for fear the poor old gentleman would fall into an apoplexy at the sight of him.Still, from what glances he stole, it seemed colour had returned to his guardian’s countenance.
When at last their eyes did meet, it was to find Mr Grigsby staring at him.
A faint smile flitted across Mr Grigsby’s features.“I beg your pardon—I’m afraid in my confusion I never introduced Mr Hull, my clerk.”
The stranger, who had stood beside Mr Grigsby all the while with a hand upon his shoulder, bowed.
Daniel nodded and murmured something—he knew not what—in reply.
The kettle sang out.Sukie hauled it up and filled the teapot.Mr Hull extracted himself from Mr Grigsby to allow room for her to deliver a steaming cup.As she did so, the clerk slipped beside Daniel and spoke in a hushed tone.
“If I may beg a word of you, Mr Durst?”
The request left Daniel so stunned that it was only belatedly he felt the queer mixture of astonishment and gratitude that the stranger would continue to call him by his true name even after Mr Grigsby had revealed his origins.He couldn’t begin to fathom whatever Mr Hull wished to communicate to him in confidence.Nonetheless, he felt Mr Grigsby would be perfectly safe in Sukie’s hands and likely safer without Daniel in his sight.So Daniel acquiesced to Mr Hull’s request and led him into the front hall for hushed conversation.
“Pray forgive me,” Mr Hull began.“When I suggested we visit I had no idea?—”
Daniel forced his voice to remain level despite his heart beating in his throat.Whatever fate might befall him this day, he would face it with a man’s courage.“No idea of what, sir?”
Mr Hull faltered.Not, however, in a manner suggesting shame or discomfort.Rather, the furrow betwixt his brows bespoke deep thought.“Forgive me, I know not the word for it in your tongue.”
Daniel didn’t think there was an English word for his existence.He pitied Mr Hull more than himself for its lack.
“Perhaps,” Mr Hull continued, “with your permission, I may attempt to explain what I do understand?”
Daniel gritted his teeth and nodded.
