I don’t expect to become rich here. I no longer have a burning desire to do so. I find satisfaction now in a simple day’s work and wage. Even my pride has returned, due to the praise of our customers.

I hope this letter reaches you before Christmas, and leaves you with a smile and the assurance that you no longer need to worry on my account. My gift to you is that baby brother has finally grown up. Do keep in touch, Vince. The only thing that I miss about England is you.

The letter was a nice gift, would have been even nicer if it had arrived before Christmas as intended, before Vincent confronted George Ascot with what he had thought to be the truth. He wasn’t going to make excuses for himself either. He’d been wrong in his beliefs, and wrong to seek revenge of any sort, particularly when, as Ascot had said, a little investigation would have pointed out some of the discrepancies in his brother’s false accusations.

Once more he was mired in guilt, and not just for failing his brother. Albert had managed to land on his feet and was getting on admirably with his life, while Vincent now had to deal with his own shortcomings. He had wronged an innocent family, severely wronged them, and he wasn’t sure how to make amends for that, if he even could. Returning what he had taken from them wouldn’t be enough, not to satisfy him. Nothing was going to help there, when in his rash undertaking he had ended up hurting the woman he had come to love.

Chapter 24

Chapter 24

GEORGE ASCOT WAS FINALLY FOUND. TWO DAYS before the New Year arrived, he showed up at his company office in London. He even spent the night there, giving Vincent ample time to arrange around-the-clock surveillance so that he could be followed when he left. It also gave him the opportunity to speak privately with Ascot himself.

Apologies were owed, whether they would be accepted or not. He at least wanted to assure the man that the vendetta was over. He didn’t expect the visit to assuage his guilt. Not even complete forgiveness or understanding would do that, when he couldn’t manage to forgive himself.

The office was locked when he arrived. He chose the earliest hour possible just after dawn, well before Ascot’s clerk was due. He was aware he might catch Ascot still sleeping, but they would at least be assured of privacy at that hour.

George hadn’t been sleeping. But he certainly wasn’t receptive to his visitor either. Having opened the door, he took one look at Vincent and began to close it again.

“A moment is all I ask,” Vincent said.

“When it’s all I can do to keep from bloodying your face, a moment is too long.”