The Secret Of The Silver Locket – Episode 36
The Secret Of The Silver Locket
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WHEN Harry first broached the idea of a honeymoon spent touring Scotland, Grace had eyed him suspiciously.
“I don’t want to make things difficult for Lady Iona,” she told him while they walked hand in hand along the seashore. Harry’s parents had been invited to dine with Lord and Lady Carmichael that first evening and the happy couple had slipped away after the meal, to enjoy the sunset.
“We wouldn’t just turn up on the doorstep,” Harry had insisted. “It seems churlish to set off for home without at least asking her if she’d like to see us.”
Grace had remained silent.
“Darling, think what she must have gone through. It was bad enough when I thought I might lose you forever but what that poor woman must have suffered . . .”
“All right,” Grace had said. “I don’t blame her for what happened. It sounds as though she had no option but I can’t imagine why anyone would give up their baby when they had a husband and plenty of money.”
“But this is your chance to find out. Give her the chance to explain what really happened. You deserve this, Grace, so please agree that I should telephone her. We can fit Edinburgh into our itinerary once we’re sure she’ll be home.”
“I can’t really refuse, can I? But I don’t expect her to justify her decision or feel bound to tell me all about my father.”
“It’s obvious you’re curious though, darling girl.” He’d squeezed Grace’s hand.
“Of course I’m curious. But if she offers to have us stay with her, I don’t think I can do that.”
“I’ll book us a room in the hotel I stayed in when I went to see her. How’s that?”
She’d kissed him, taking his breath away.
***
Grace and her bridegroom had been in Scotland for a week touring around and enjoying the sights.
Now in Edinburgh, Grace loved the hotel where Harry had stayed before but her fingers fumbled as she tried to fasten her dress ready to dine with Lord and Lady Maxwell. Grace had never been more nervous.
Harry came to her rescue.
“Allow me,” he said. “I know you only married me so I could help you with stuff like this.”
She giggled.
“I don’t know why I’m laughing, Harry. I really don’t know how this evening’s going to turn out.”
“I’d bet my last dollar Iona’s feeling even more nervous than you are, darling girl.”
Gently, he turned her to face him.
“You look so beautiful. She’s going to fall in love with you all over again.”
“All over again?”
“Think about it. Imagine having to say goodbye to someone who’s a part of you. Whatever the reason for her having to do that, she has to be one brave lady.”
“You’re right. I’ll do my best.”
“That’s my girl. I’ll be right there with you, remember.”
“If only we knew exactly what she’s told her husband.”
“Relax. She’ll have come up with something. Believe me. She’s had a lifetime of knowing how to handle people.”
But while the taxi pulled away from the Maxwell residence as Harry rang the doorbell, Grace needed all her reserves of determination not to head off down the crescent and leave her new husband to make her excuses.
