“You lied! She lied! Ye both told me ye’d be in Harrogate this weekend.” He laughed. It sounded hollow. “And now here ye are, Sunday afternoon, sitting in the garden as bold as brass. Why did ye lie? Ter get out of seeing me?”

“No, no, it’s not like that at all!” Sarah cried, her voice rising. “Angela suddenly needed some documents. For her solicitor in Harrogate. That is the reason we traveled to Upper Armley.”

Patrick drew closer and stood next to Blackie. He vaguely recognized the young woman Blackie was talking to in an angry tone but could not place her, nor did he recall her name.

Sarah, relieved to see Patrick Kennedy now standing with Blackie, gave him a huge smile and thrust out her hand. “Pleased to meet you, Mr. Kennedy. I’m Sarah Clough. I live in the Edinburghs near you, just behind Town Street.”

After shaking her hand, Patrick smiled, then nodded. “Of course, now I realize who you are, although I hardly ever see you around in our area these days.”

“No, I work in Leeds. I have a secretarial job at Andrews, the tailoring firm. And I am also here sometimes, with my sister.”

“I see.” Patrick glanced at the woman who was now standing on the terrace, thinking she was older than Sarah, and rather beautiful. He was about to speak to Sarah when he was slightly pushed aside by Blackie. He stepped around Sarah and loped across the lawn, heading for the terrace, determination in every step.

Sarah let out a small cry and swung around, gasped as she saw Blackie leading Angela into the house forcefully.

Patrick, staring at her, asked, “Does Blackie know your sister? What is this all about? Do you understand why my nephew’s so angry?”

“I think so,” Sarah responded, and took hold of his arm for a moment, then said, “Let’s go and sit down for a minute or two, and I’ll try to explain.”

“Very well,” Patrick answered, and strode along next to her as they crossed the lawn. There were white-painted wicker chairs on the terrace, where Sarah indicated they should sit.

Clearing her throat, she said, “I told Blackie we’d not be here this weekend because Angela, that’s my sister, had to be in Harrogate, where she has to do some work for Lady Lassiter. Then everything changed. Unexpectedly. Angela’s solicitor needed some documents, which were here. We came to Leeds last night to get them, and we’re leaving soon, going back there. Blackie thinks I lied to him, about being in Harrogate, I mean.”

Patrick was silent. He stared intently at Sarah, who looked troubled, and he noticed she was twisting a handkerchief in her hands, and somewhat nervously so. And why was Blackie angry?