“It’s just the journey, Alex; I’m tired. Don’t panic. I think I’ve just relaxed properly for the first time in weeks.” She wasn’t going to let the day go, and she fought the gut-wrenching discomfort. “I’ve been happy every moment of the day, and I’m so pleased you brought me here.” She looked at his troubled eyes, which were busy searching hers in a semi-professional way, she realized. It made her uncomfortable that she could conceal nothing from him; so she glanced away and down again to her left hand, occupying herself with the details of the lady’s dress, and she tried to decide what kind of tree she thought was embroidered there. The tree of wisdom.

“This is a mulberry, isn’t it…?” She touched the key around her neck. “Alex, whatever this opens, it’s here. It’s under a mulberry tree. Here in your garden.” And with the effort of expressing this, she put her head in her hands and bent over double. He collected her up gently. She was a weightless figure in his arms, and he took the stairs two at a time, laid her on a bed, slipped off her shoes, and covered her with a heavy throw. She was aware of him stroking her temple for a few moments, holding her wrist with his other hand, checking his watch without apparent distress; and she spiraled into sleep.

When she woke it was much darker, lights were on, and she found her way back downstairs. A well-dressed older man was reading a paper by a lamp, the fire lit; and he looked up at her kindly.

“What a terrible houseguest I am. I’m so sorry. I’m Lucy.”

He was on his feet quickly. “You poor lass; please don’t apologize. Are you feeling any better? Let me call Alex.” He directed her into a chair and opened the back door to bring his son inside. When Alex reappeared he felt her hands and checked her pupils carefully.

“You gave me a fright.” But there was relief in his voice. “We’ll put it down to too much rich food, shall we?”

She nodded gratefully. She wanted to pretend that her strange reaction had never happened, and would have kissed him had his father not been there. Alex understood all this and let the matter drop; then he smiled at her mischievously.

“Did you see what I put beside the bed upstairs?” She shook her head, and he left for a moment. When he returned, he placed a lightly molded wooden casket on the side table next to her. “I believe you have the key!”