At that, Malachi’s hand did pause. Curiosity had always ruled much of his own life, but very rarely had anyone, apart from Nettie, cared to inquire too deeply about him.

That Arthur was curious enough to ask him made him feel… strange, but he did not mention as much. At least the questions were centered on his family.

He continued writing at a slower pace.

“Her father, yes. Levi. He is… nine, ten years younger than me? I can’t quite recall,” he admitted. “I believe he and his wife run some sort of business in London. Levi is as much of a parasite as my mother, but he can be more difficult to entertain. He… tires of things, easily.”

Levi had been kinder to him than Miriam, but that had not meant all that much.

“It is possible that he and his wife could be there, but the same goes for them. If you want to make a good impression, just – appeal to them. I’m sure they will expect any guest of mine to be a disappointment, so prove them wrong.”