"How did you find me?"
"I'll tell you." She takes the chair and I perch on a stool.
Grace keeps looking at me, shaking her head, as if she can't get over seeing me. "I had no idea, you know? I thought you were with that family..."
"The Woodvilles?"
"Yes. I wrote to you from Europe, but of course I didn't expect a reply, because we were never in one place for long. And when we got back, there was such a lot to do—sorting the house out ... Lou, I'm so sorry I didn't realise sooner ... that I didn't start asking questions..."
"But you didn't know." It makes me feel better that she didn't.
"No! Not until I saw your photograph!"
"My photograph?"
"Yes, in an exhibition. Charles is always being invited to charity events—you know, people wanting donations. Such a lucky chance I went to this one! It was organised by the superintendent of Wildthorn Hall."
"Mr. Sneed!"
"That's right. He was giving lectures on phrenology and to illustrate them there was a display of photographs of patients."
The photographs. So that was what Mr. Sneed was up to. Roberts was right.
"At first I wasn't sure ... but there was something about it that drew me ... and the more I looked, the more I was certain it was you. Charles—"
She breaks off, and for a second her mouth presses into a thin line. "Charles said it was nonsense. But I insisted that he find out the name. Of course when Mr. Sneed said 'Lucy Childs,' Charles said, 'There, what did I tell you?' But I wasn't convinced. It preyed on my mind. Later, without telling Charles, I went back and persuaded Mr. Sneed to sell me the photograph. The next time we visited Carr Head, I showed Mamma and—"
I put out my hand to stop her. "I know."
"You know?"
"That your mother signed the papers to put me in Wildthorn."
"Oh." There's a pause. "Lou, I—" She falls silent, watching me anxiously.
I burst out, "Why, Grace? Why did she do it? Why did you tell her about me? You promised you wouldn't."
She frowns, clearly puzzled.
I can feel myself going red again. "You know, when I broke the candlestick..."
Her face clears. "Oh, that! No, of course I haven't said anything to anyone. I just thought you were upset about your papa."
"Then why did your mother do it?"
"I think she'd better tell you herself. I'm sorry, Lou. I was hoping you didn't know—"
"So you could keep it from me?"
"No. No! I only meant—if you knew—it's complicated..." She takes a deep breath. "You must be terribly hurt, and I wanted to spare you that ... and until you know everything..." She trails off, looking stricken.
I feel torn. I want to believe her, to trust her, but what if, really, she is on her mother's side?
I try to sound cooler than I feel. "You were telling me about the photograph?"
"Oh, yes. When I showed it to Mamma, I could tell she knew something. I pestered her until I found out what had happened, where you were, then I insisted we come and get you..." She looks at me, her eyes wide. "It was a terrible shock when you weren't at the hospital and no one knew what had happened to you."
"How did you find out I was here?"
"The superintendent, Mr. Sneed, said he believed Eliza Shaw knew something about it." Grace pauses, crinkling her forehead. "What I don't understand is why he hadn't followed it up himself."
"Someone did come, but—well, he didn't try very hard. I expect eventually he was going to write to your mother and tell her I'd died."
Grace's eyes widen. "No, really? Would he do such a dreadful thing?"
I shrug. "Eliza says it's happened before. They go on taking the money as long as they can."
"That's awful." Grace shakes her head. "He was certainly very flustered when Mamma and I turned up. I think he's frightened Mamma will make a fuss and ruin him."
"I don't expect she will." I smile sourly.
"Oh, Lou—I can imagine how you must be feeling, but why don't you come with me now and speak to Mamma?"
"I'm not going to set foot in that place again."
"No, of course not. We've booked a room at the village inn. Mamma will be there now, waiting for me."
"She'll want me to go back to Wildthorn Hall."
"Of course she won't. She signed your release papers. I saw her do it. She was taking your box to the inn."
Her look is imploring. But I don't know what to believe.
"You don't think I'm mad, then?"
"No. No! Please, Lou, I promise you'll be quite safe." She stands up. "So, will you come?"
I won't find out the truth unless I speak to my aunt, so I suppose I have no choice. But everything's happening too fast. Am I really going now?
"I must see Eliza before I go."
"Of course. I'll wait in the carriage."
I look out into the garden, into the sunshine. "I can go outside now?"
"Yes." She smiles. "You're free to do as you like."
***
On the threshold, I hesitate. I take a step forward and light strikes me in the face, like a blow, making my eyes water.