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This time she climbed the steps more confidently, rapped firmly with the brass knocker, stood back, and waited She hadn’t made an appointment to see her cousin because she had no doubt he’d be in residence Although he’d recently retired as the senior partner of Simpson, Albion & Stuart, he was not a country animal, even at weekends Alistair was quintessentially a New Yorker He’d been born on 64th and Park, and t

hat, undoubtedly, here he would die

When the door opened a few moments later, Enized, although it must have been more than twenty years since she had last seen hi coat, striped trousers, white shirt, and gray tie Soe

“How nice to see you, Mrs Clifton,” he said as if she dropped by every day

Emma felt e that Harry would never have forgotten it “And it’s so nice to see you,” she ventured “I was rather hoping to catch up with my cousin Alistair, if he’s at home”

“I fear not,the funeral of Mr Benjae, a former partner of the firm, and isn’t expected back fro”

Emma couldn’t hide her disappointment

“Perhaps you’d care to come inside and I could make you a cup of tea—Earl Grey, if I remember correctly?”

“That’s very kind of you,” said E back to the ship”

“Of course I do hope the Buckinghae was a success?”

“Better than I h to pass on my best wishes to Alistair, and say how sorry I was to miss him?”

“I’d be delighted to do so, Mrs Clifton” The butler gave a slight bow before closing the door

E for a cab, when she suddenly realized she was still clutching the shoebox Feeling embarrassed, she climbed the steps a second time and rapped the door with the brass knocker a little more tentatively

Moments later the door opened a second ti her the same warm smile