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‘I agree entirely, which is why I want to do this for you.’
‘Freddie, no matter if I turn out to be related to the Greystone family, your mama is set against me and your papa follows her guidance. I cannot and will not do anything to cause a rift in your family.’
Freddie cast an anxious glance at Tommy, who had alighted and was waiting impatiently for Nancy to join him. ‘You know that I love you, Nancy. It wouldn’t matter to me if you were a washerwoman’s daughter, but I know it means a lot to you to know who your parents were.’
Tommy leaned into the carriage. ‘We’ve probably found that out for ourselves, Ashton. It seems that Nancy is Sir Oliver Greystone’s daughter. Gervase told her as much himself.’
‘Is this true, Nancy?’
She met Freddie’s earnest gaze with a wry smile. ‘It appears to be, but it’s almost impossible to prove. In any case, if I were related to the infamous Sir Oliver, I dare say that would go against me just as much as if I were a washerwoman’s daughter. You will never persuade your mama to think of me differently.’
‘Give me a day or two. I am gaining Gervase’s confidence. Let me see what I can find out from the Greystone papers and we’ll talk more then. My mama doesn’t rule my life and I’ll prove it to you, no matter what it takes.’
Chapter Twenty-Two
‘You don’t believe him, do you, Nancy?’ Tommy took off his hat and overcoat and handed them to James. ‘The chap is terrified to do anything to offend his mother and father.’
Nancy shook raindrops from her bonnet and slipped off her cape, handing it to James. ‘I think you’re being unfair, Tommy. He hates to upset people, but that doesn’t make him a bad person.’
‘You need a better man than Freddie Ashton. If you marry him you will be bullied by his mama for the rest of her life.’
‘He hasn’t asked me to marry him, not in so many words, and I am not so feeble that I would allow her to make my life a misery.’
‘They are one of the wealthiest families in England. You would be treated like an upstart pauper.’
Nancy laughed. ‘Tommy, you have a wonderful imagination. Stop worrying about me. I can look after myself. Now I’m going to change out of my wet garments. I’ll see you at dinner.’
‘Yes, of course. Anyway, we need to find someone who can corroborate Mrs Betts’ statement that Lady Greystone gave birth to a child before she drowned herself in the lake.’
‘Do you know, Tommy, I think I would almost rather remain in ignorance. I’m not sure I want to believe that my real mother was so ill and distressed that she took her own life, and that my father was a libertine.’
‘There’s one place we haven’t visited,’ Tommy said thoughtfully.
‘Where is that?’
‘The orphanage where you were left on the steps. Maybe they could tell us something.’
‘I don’t even know which one it is. The vicar and his wife took me on from there.’
‘Then Louise should know. Ask her when you see her tomorrow.’
‘I will, but I doubt if anyone at the orphanage could tell me anything more than we know already.’
‘But, Nancy, if it were true, you would be the one to inherit Greystone Park.’
‘I’m a girl, remember, Tommy? It would go to the nearest male family member, which would have been Sir Michael.’
Tommy paused at the foot of the stairs. ‘But he’s passed away, so perhaps Gervase is the rightful heir?’
‘All I know is that Patsy couldn’t inherit the estate when her husband died because he had willed it to his daughters. I think Gervase would have a lengthy and expensive court case if he tried to overturn the will.’
Hester came bustling towards them. ‘Where have you been? You are both soaking wet again. It’s like looking after two children. Go and change immediately. I don’t want to have you both sick with chills and fever.’
Nancy and Tommy exchanged amused glances but they did not argue, and they went their separate ways to their rooms to do as Hester commanded.
When questioned, Louise was only too pleased to help. She remembered the orphanage where her parents had found Nancy, and it was not too far away. Next morning Nancy and Tommy had their horses saddled and they left for the orphanage. They were riding past the Greystone Park gates when the gatekeeper opened them and Freddie rode out, greeting them with a cheery smile.
‘I was coming to see you, Nancy.’
