Page 10 of Silver Angel

“What did your grandfather say about it?”

“I haven’t told him yet. Thought I’d put it off until I’m ready to leave.”

“When?”

“Tomorrow, most likely,” he admitted. “I’ll take ship from Dover.”

“Oh, Derek!” She stopped suddenly to throw her arms around his neck.

“What’s this, Caro? Will you miss me?”

“Not at all,” she mumbled into his jacket.

“Think of me?”

“Not for a moment.”

He chuckled, squeezing her affectionately. “That’s my girl.”

Chapter Seven

Derek didn’t wait until the next day to speak to his grandfather. Finding him in the library on his return home, he laid everything before the old man and left him to draw his own conclusions.

Robert Sinclair’s answer was the only one it could be. “You have to go.”

“So I concluded,” Derek replied. “I’ve sent for Marshall. He should be here by tomorrow afternoon.”

“Are you going to tell him your relationship—”

“Do you see any point in making that known after all these years?”

“No,” the Marquis admitted.

“Then you have your answer. There’s nothing I can tell him anyway. I won’t know why I’m needed until I get there. He’ll think I’m going after the English girl. That’s enough.”

“Are you?”

Derek shrugged. “As long as I’m there, I’ll look into it. But it’s doubtful she can be recovered, even if I can locate her. Once a woman enters a harem, she’s lost to the outside world.”

Robert frowned. “You say that without the slightest regret.”

Derek smiled fondly at his grandfather. Robert’s bitterness was understandable.

“What do you want me to say? She’s just one girl among thousands. Slavery is only frowned on here. In the East, it is an acceptable institution.”

“You don’t have to approve of it.”

“I didn’t say I approve of it. But I was raised in the East. I accept it for what it is, a way of life.”

“I know, I know.” The Marquis sighed, for this was no more than a rehashing of an old argument. “It’s just…do you think you’ll see her?”

Derek knew he was no longer speaking of the English girl. “I don’t know.”

“If you do, tell her she has my heartfelt thanks.”

Derek nodded and embraced his grandfather. Affection tightened his throat. The message was clear and as much for himself. It spoke of his grandfather’s approval, love, and pride, sentiments not easily expressed by the old man. They might disagree on many subjects, and Robert might disapprove of Derek’s hedonistic ways, but a strong bond had grown between them over the years that was unshakable.

An hour later, Derek was still in the library, though alone, when Lord Marshall Fielding was announced. Having handed over his hat and coat to Mr. Walmsley, he was smoothing down unruly brown curls as he entered the room.