‘No. Why?’
‘Or one of those Lonely Hearts columns, or something?’
‘No.’
‘Because Mrs Mair says there is a whole sackful of mail waiting for you at the post-office.’
‘Oh. How did Mrs Mair know that the letters were for me?’
‘She said you were the only A. Grant in the district. I take it you haven’t advertised for a wife?’
‘No, just for a bit of information,’ he said, going with her into the sitting-room.
The room in the early dusk was full of firelight and wavering shadows. He thought it was empty until he noticed that someone was sitting in the big wing-chair by the hearth. A woman; so long and slender that she seemed as fluid as the shadows and he had to look a second time to be sure that she was not in truth a shadow.
‘Lady Kentallen,’ said Laura’s voice behind him, in an introducing tone. ‘Zoë has come back to Clune for a few days’ fishing.’
The woman leant forward to shake hands with him and he saw that she was a girl.