I could not hope that I should find him there and I did not, so I left a note asking him to get in touch with me immediately and tell me when I could see him, as I had something for him that I believed was urgent.

It was about five in the afternoon when he called at the house. My father was not at home, so I could see him without any questions being asked.

I received him in the drawing room and I could not suppress a certain exhilaration as he came into the room. He looked even more handsome than I remembered, and his slight limp did not make him less attractive. He looked at me as though I were the one person in the world whom he most wanted to see.

“Lucinda!” he said. “What a pleasure to see you! I can’t tell you how delighted I was to receive your note.”

“I’m so glad you came. I’ve been rather anxious about this.”

He looked gravely concerned and I told him what had happened. I was amazed how calmly he received the information.

“And this is the letter I have for you.”

He took it, glanced at it and put it into his pocket.

“I believe it is very urgent,” I said. “Miss Emma Johns was rather upset.”

“I understand,” he said. “I will deal with it at once.”

“Then I had better not keep you.”

He looked distressed and I reminded myself that this did not mean he wanted to be with me so much. It was all playacting. I should never allow myself to be so deceived again.

“And how are you, Lucinda?” he said.

“Well, thank you, and I see you have recovered your health.”

“Yes, but they won’t let me go out again. I’m stuck here in London.”

“There are many, I daresay, who are pleased about that.”

“Does that include you, Lucinda?”

“Naturally, one likes to think one’s friends are in comparative safety.”

“And I hear you have Robert Denver with you.”

“Yes. He has a leg wound, too.”

“Which you are hoping will keep him in comparative safety?”

“Of course.”

“He’s a noble hero, isn’t he?”

“He is very brave and I am glad that his bravery has been recognized.”

“It is always good when people get their desserts.” He grimaced slightly, and I could not help smiling.

“I think that letter needs your immediate attention,” I said.

“Would you excuse me if I read it now?”

“I think you should do that.”

He sat down and slit the envelope. I watched him as he read.

His expression remained impassive. I did not know what he was feeling. He was a superb actor.

“If you feel you should leave…”

“How understanding you are! I think I must leave. It is disappointing that our meeting should be so brief.” He took my hands and looked searchingly into my face. “But we shall meet again…often. It has been so long.”

“You are going to be busy,” I reminded him. “Weddings need much preparation.”

“I often think of you, Lucinda.”

“Oh, do you? Well, I wish you happiness, and I hope everything goes as you wish.”

There was no mistaking his show of reluctance at leaving, and I wondered how much of it was genuine.

I was very disturbed. All that day I could not stop myself from thinking of him and his affairs.

The next morning I called at the Maida Vale address. Miss Emma Johns opened the door and invited me in.

“It was so good of you,” she said. “I knew that I could trust you to do all that should be done.”

“I am sure he will come,” I said.

“Oh, he came last night.”

“It must have been just after I gave him the letter. I discovered his address through my aunt, and I went at once to see him.”

“Thank you. Thank you. I can’t tell you what happiness his visit brought to Janet. She’ll the peacefully now. He saw the children, too. He’s always been good to them. He has assured her that everything will be all right. Their future is taken care of and there is nothing for us to worry about. He is such a good man…a dear man. I don’t know how to thank you, Miss Greenham. I knew you’d help. I knew I shouldn’t have to worry if I could see you and explain.”

“I am so pleased I was able to be of use.”

“Janet’s sleeping peacefully now. She blessed him and said she hoped he’d be happy in his marriage. She said his bride was the luckiest woman in the world. Poor Janet, she did love him so much. He was wonderful with her. I heard her laughing. I know now she’ll die happy. She knows he still cares for her and she always understood how it had to be. Thank you again, Miss Greenham, for all you have done.”

“It was really very little.”

“You’ll never know how much.”

I came away from Maida Vale feeling I had learned another vital lesson about human nature.

I wondered what the general opinion would be about Marcus and his secret family hidden away in Maida Vale. But what happiness he had brought to that family. The unselfishness of genuine love was brought home to me. Janet Johns was prepared to remain the mistress in the background of his life; she was happy to accept what he could give her and be content. She must have loved him very much.

I learned something about him, too. He was superficial, but he certainly knew how to inspire devotion. It occurred to me that we were all complicated beings and that none of us should stand in judgment against any other.

A few days later I received a letter from Marcus.

My dear Lucinda,

How kind of you to act as go-between in this matter! You especially would understand. Thank you for all the trouble you took. Everyone concerned is most grateful. You have acted as I would expect you to…with the utmost kindness and tact.

I hope all goes well with you always. Annabelinda has told me how delighted you are to have her brother with you. She has explained to me what truly great friends you are.

I am hoping to see you soon.

Admiring you, as ever,

Marcus

I thought how typical of him that letter was. He treated the matter of his secret family as though it were nothing unusual; and the fact that I shared in the secrecy did not perturb him in the least. Who but Marcus would have skimmed over the exposure of his liaison with such composure?

I still found myself thinking of him rather tenderly.

IN JULY OF 1917 ANNABELINDA and Marcus were married.

With my parents, Aunt Celeste and Robert, I went down to the Denver home for the occasion.

Aunt Belinda greeted us with suppressed excitement. There was no doubt of her satisfaction in the marriage.

“Marcus’s parents will be arriving the day before the ceremony,” she told us. “I think they will be leaving the day after.” She grimaced. “They are very grand, of course, not like Marcus, who is the dearest man. I think he is a little in awe of them. Annabelinda says she feels very much as if she is on approval. However, they can’t do much after the wedding, can they? I’m exaggerating, of course. I’m sure they’ll be very nice guests. They’ll adore Big Robert…and my young one, too. Those two get on with most people. In any case, the Denver family goes back as far as theirs. It just happens they didn’t manage to secure a dukedom on the way. All they got was a baronetcy.”

“I wouldn’t worry about such a trivial matter, if I were you,” said my mother.

“Who’s talking about being worried, Lucie? Certainly I’m not. Nothing can go wrong. Once this ring is on my daughter’s finger and it is all signed and sealed, the matter is closed. And at least Marcus is a darling. We all adore him. They will be leaving almost immediately after the ceremony for the honeymoon. It’s a pity they can’t go somewhere romantic like Florence or Venice. But it will have to be Torquay…and then Marcus has to get back to work. Wars are such a bore. They spoil everything.”

“Yes,” said my mother. “People’s lives and even honeymoons.”

“Still the same old Lucie. But in spite of everything, this is fun. Wait till you see Annabelinda’s wedding dress.”