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before slipping them absently into one of his pockets.
    David Rutherford. The pronouncement of the name cut the last thread of Sylvia’s clinging hope and she felt herself spinning down into the abyss of her own making. Somehow she had always pictured her Uncle’s correspondent as an older gentleman, close to Uncle Miles in age. Still, would that have made her actions any less improper? Sylvia doubted that Aunt Ruby would see it in that light, much less forgive her scapegrace niece were she to hear the whole. Deliberately, Sylvia cleared the confusion from her mind, concentrating on the problem arrayed before her. Knowing David Rutherford, the truth would undoubtedly be the best solution.
    “Famous! I’ve heard all about you,” the boy exclaimed. “I vow, you play chess nearly as well as cousin-”
    “Miles,” Sylvia interrupted quickly. “Can you ask Boniface to see to some refreshments for our guest?”
    “Why not just ring?” Miles asked, but he was forestalled by Sylvia’s quelling look. “I’ll go get him,” he mumbled. “Can’t just say you don’t want me to listen, can you?”
    Once more, David found himself alone with the stone angel.
    “I am sorry, milord. Had I known your identity, I would have spared you this,” she said. “However, the footman is a new one and he quite insisted that you wished to speak to my young cousin.”
    There was a curious tone to her voice, one that he almost would have styled warmth. Curious, he patted his pockets in search of his spectacles.
    “Sir Miles spoke quite fondly of you, milord,” Sylvia said choosing her words carefully. “Your letters and the game were a joy to him, particularly in the last months of his illness. Even when he could no longer could think clearly enough to play, he bade the game continue.”
    The brass knocker rapped impatiently and a babble of voices echoed in the entryway. Surely Aunt Ruby and Caroline had not returned so soon! Sylvia felt a growing tide of panic at the unmistakable high pitched nasal whine of her aunt’s orders to the staff. Sylvia regarded David Rutherford's face rapidly considered her options. If she were to tell him the whole now, without any preamble, there would certainly be questions, questions that would take far too long to answer. Discovery would be inevitable, since Aunt Ruby would be upon them in a matter of moments. There was only one possible move.
    “I know it was most improper, milord,” Sylvia said in a rush. “My younger brother William could not bear to leave the game unfinished and it was he who continued the play in the months that followed our uncle’s passing. In a way, it was his tribute to a man who was most dear to the both of us.”
    “I would certainly have acceded to continue the game, if that was his concern,” David said, feeling a rush of annoyance.
    Sylvia hung her head guiltily. In truth, she had feared that he would put an end to the play upon hearing the news. “Your last letters had mentioned some business difficulties,” she said weakly, praying that William would forgive her for the lie that she was putting in his dish. “I believe my brother meant to spare you the additional burden until you were on your feet once more. However, I soon realized that it was wrong to keep the news from you. I, myself, sent a letter informing you of Uncle Miles’ death.”
    “Unfortunately, I never received your letter. I suppose that, like my other correspondence, it will catch up with me in time. After all, I only received your brother’s final move last evening. And if the final moves were his, I must congratulate him upon his tour de force . I declare, I did not see my doom upon me till almost the very end.” David said. “Is he at home?”
    “No, milord,” Sylvia said. “He is down at Oxford.”
    “He plays splendidly,” David reiterated. “Nonetheless, Miss Gabriel, I do not enjoy being made to look a fool. The truth would certainly have spared me a great deal of trouble,