"Yes. And Hester cannot produce."
"Yes." He remained very still.
Matilda continued: "If the score is placed with a solicitor now, sealed and witnessed, then no one can later say I wrote the ending after the accusation began."
Robert looked at the packet again. "Sensible."
"Necessary."
"More than sensible, then."
Matilda studied him. "You are not curious?"
"Profoundly. But you will not open it."
"You have asked me not to."
"That did not stop you from cancelling the concert." The words came out more sharply than she intended.
Robert accepted them without flinching. "No." Silence followed. Then he said, "That was wrong."
Matilda looked away. She had heard him admit it before, but the repetition mattered because he offered no excuse with it.
Robert rested his gloves on one knee. "I cannot undo what I did. I can, however, avoid repeating it."
"That remains to be seen."
"Then test me."
She looked at him. The humor in his voice was gone; he meant it. Matilda picked up the sealed packet and held it out. Robert did not take it immediately.
"Do you wish me to choose the solicitor?"
"No. Mrs. Albright has recommended Mr. Harby in Stonegate. He acted for her husband's estate and has no connection to Falconhurst."
Robert inclined his head. "Then Mr. Harby."
"You will give him this packet. He must record the condition of the seal, the date, and your delivery. He must keep it unopened until I request it in writing."
"Understood."
"And you are not to read the contents."