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Reluctantly, she edged her way forward.
Carys stepped forward and took her hand, smiling at her affectionately. Abigail took her place between Lord Somerville and Oliver, both offering up a warm smile as she approached.
‘Now, if it wasn’t for this amazing young lady,’ said Carys, ‘we would not be fixing our leaking roof or reopening the conservatory after a refurbishment for everybody to enjoy. So let’s raise a glass, and hear it for our accountant, and very good friend – the lovely Abigail.’
Abigail smiled tightly as a round of applause from the staff followed. This was the last thing she wanted, to be the centre of attention. She looked at the staff, standing in a semi-circle, raising their glasses and finishing their wine before a round of applause followed. She knew what some of them were like; they enjoyed a good gossip about the family. Next, they’d be gossiping about her. She hoped not.
Everyone else was clapping, but Lili, standing close, overheard two staff members talking.
‘Just look at her. She hasn’t been here two minutes, and she’s ingratiating herself with the family.’
‘Yeah, I know. I heard she’s a widow. Not sure how much the family knows about her, but it’s obvious what she’s after.’
‘Don’t you meanwhom?’
Lili was about to turn around and give them a piece of her mind for talking about her friend like that behind her back, when she overheard a further comment, ‘Well, she’d better not count her chickens.’
‘Ah, you’re talking about the rumour.’
‘Yes. If she thinks she’s going to become Lady Somerville …’
The speeches were over, but Abigail was still with the Somervilles, chatting. With the small talk resuming amongst the staff, some helping themselves to the nibbles that the catering firm who ran the café had prepared, Lili moved closer, straining to hear the conversation.
‘I think it’s true – don’t you? I mean, just look at him. He bears no resemblance to Lord Somerville.’
‘Yeah, I think it’s true too.’
What’s true?Lili was dying to ask.
‘Little wonder Lord Somerville can be so miserable. Every time he looks at Oliver, he must be reminded that his wife must have had an affair.’
Lili looked from Lord Somerville to Oliver, her eyes drifting to Carys too.
‘So, why doesn’t he get a test, confirm the truth?’
‘Is he afraid that it’s true, that Oliver isn’t his son?’
‘No, I reckon it’s because he’s afraid his immediate family will lose the Hall.’
‘How so?’
The pair talking started walking towards the food, laid out on a trestle table on one side of the room. Lili discreetly followed them.
The conversation continued in hushed whispers that Lili could just about hear as they picked up paper plates and chose some party food. ‘The house has to pass through the male line, from son to grandson. If Oliver is found to be illegitimate …’
‘Then he won’t be the heir, and he forfeits his right to inherit the estate.’
‘Exactly.’
Lili forgot she was meant to be choosing some food and stared at the two members of staff. She believed they were kitchen staff.
‘But then what happens? Will Carys …?’
‘Of course not. It has to pass to a male heir. I’ve heard mention of a distant cousin in Australia. God, can you imagine? They wouldn’t have the first clue about running an estate. I reckon it wouldn’t be long and it would go downhill, and we’d all be out of a job.’
One of them turned around and caught Lili staring, but just smiled at her, not realising she’d overheard their entire conversation, and walked off with her friend.
‘Well, that was highly embarrassing,’
