He spoke slowly now, as though the effort of being accurate prevented him from hiding in generalities.

Beatrice had tried to locate him.

She reached out by letter because she was unsure how he would respond to a stranger claiming to be his sister.

Christopher was wary at first.

He had asked questions, checked what could be checked, and exchanged family information that made the connection increasingly clear.

I asked whether he had simply accepted the first letter.

“No.”