A swell of relief crashed over Alex, as powerful as a tidal wave. He sank into one of the chairs. “There were no ill effects from the fall?”

Tom resumed his seat. “He sometimes finds it difficult to form words, but there’s nothing wrong with his intellect, or with his body.”

“Does he still reside in Devon?”

“He does. He and Justin, both. I saw them not two weeks ago at my wedding breakfast.” Tom’s mouth curved slightly. “I’m lately married.”

“As am I.”

“Your wife is lovely.”

“She is,” Alex said.

“I understand she employs Harold Weatherwax as her solicitor.”

“Not any longer. The man lost most of her money in some infernal canal scheme.” Alex paused. “He claims you put a spy in his office.”

Tom shrugged. “Needs must.”

A waiter approached them, enquiring if they wanted to order. Tom lifted his brows at Alex in question. Alex shook his head. He thought he saw a flicker of disappointment in Tom’s face. Perhaps he’d expected that Alex would wish to stay longer? That he’d have a desire to reminisce? But Alex felt no such urge.

“Revenez plus tard, s’il vous plaît,” Tom said.

“Oui, monsieur.” The waiter departed.

“My wife doesn’t know the whole of this,” Alex said.

“About the circumstances in which you left Abbot’s Holcombe?”

“About the orphanage. The things that happened in North Devon. I’ve tried to forget.”

“And yet…she wears the ring we found at Greyfriar’s Abbey.” Tom’s features set in a puzzled frown. “Odd, that.”

Alex stiffened. “Why are you here? How did you find me?”

“You assume it wasn’t a coincidence.”

“That you just happen to appear in Grasse? Not bloody likely. You’re here for a reason, and it isn’t because you’re on your wedding trip.”

Tom didn’t deny it. “Last month I received word you were in France. Some reports said Paris, others Marseilles. My wife and I enjoy traveling. It seemed natural to come here on our honeymoon—and to search for you at the same time. I believe we’ve been no more than two days behind you since you left Paris.”

“When did you arrive in Grasse?”

“Not a half hour before we encountered your wife. Imagine my surprise, as I signed into the hotel, to find the Greyfriar’s Abbey ruby on the finger of the lady standing next to me.”

“It belongs to my wife now. If you want your share of the treasure—”

“Don’t be ridiculous. I don’t need any money from you. And I don’t want any portion of that blasted treasure.”

“Then why are you here?” Alex asked. “It’s been decades. Why have you come looking for me after all this time?”

“Because Justin and Neville asked me to.”

“What?”