Touch of Passion by Susan Spencer Paul Page B

daughter, though he could not be certain that it was she, as she had long since died. He learned that the woman had left behind a husband and child. Following their trail—which you will understand was not easy, being many years old—at last led the gentleman to the Goodbodys, who were able to tell him of both you and your father. Their description of your departed father accurately fits the appearance of the fellow who ran off with this gentleman’s daughter. Apparently the Goodbodys had never met your mother, and thus could not give the gentleman any information regarding her.”
    Loris nodded. “She died when I was seven. We lived in a different part of London then, and only came nearer to the Red Fox when I was ten.”
    â€œThat may be, in part, why it’s been so difficult for you to be found,” Kian said. “The gentleman—Lord Perham—had reason to believe that his daughter was with child when she disappeared, and that child, if living, would now be approximately your age. Unfortunately, Lord Perham has had several false turns with fortune hunters pretending to be this unknown grandchild, and is understandably wary of believing the claims made by the Goodbodys. He is determined, however, to meet you himself before giving up hope entirely.”
    A grandfather
, Loris thought in amazement.
A blood relative
.
    â€œIf this man, Lord Perham, believes he’s my grandfather,” she asked, “then why hasn’t he simply come to Tylluan tofind me? Or at least written to me himself? Why would he contact me through the Goodbodys?”
    â€œHe doesn’t have any alternative,” Kian told her. “Have you forgotten the kind of people the Goodbodys are?”
    No
, Loris thought grimly. She hadn’t. She looked at the letter once again, scanning it more carefully. “And there’s no mention of how I might find this gentleman, either—they wisely didn’t supply his name or title—if he is indeed my grandfather. If a meeting is to take place, it must be arranged by them. For a price. Aye, that’s why they’ve written so insistently, for they cannot make so much as a ha’penny until I’ve replied. What horrid people.” She looked at Kian, a new thought occurring to her. “And you knew, from the first letter that arrived those many weeks ago, what their purpose was? You divined its contents just as you did this one.”
    â€œI did,” he confessed.
    Anger began to rise again, but this time Loris didn’t bother to calm herself.
    â€œYou
knew
that my grandfather might be looking for me and never saw fit to tell me?” She shook the letter at him.
    He only continued to gaze at her calmly. “I knew that the Goodbodys claimed your grandfather was looking for you. I also knew that they were liars and cheats and not to be trusted. And you can scarce lay the blame at my feet for your ignorance,” he added. “You made it abundantly clear that you didn’t want to know. You threw every letter away, and would have done the same with this one had I not made you open it.”
    â€œBut you should have told me!”
    â€œThe time wasn’t yet right.”
    â€œThen why now?” she pressed. “Why did you choose this particular missive to reveal the truth?”
    â€œFor one thing,” he replied, “the Goodbodys were clearly going to keep sending them and oversetting you. And for another, I’ve at last had word from my cousin Niclas, who was kind enough to look into the matter for me. He is the one who managed to discover that the gentleman in question is the Earl of Perham and, having investigated further, reportsthat His Lordship’s claim to be your maternal grandfather may have merit.”
    â€œThe Earl of Perham?” she repeated faintly. “My mother’s father was an
earl
?”
    â€œPerhaps,” Kian said. “I do not say that he is your grandfather,