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‘Exactly. This is the swaddling cloth wrapped around the baby girl who was abandoned on the steps. She remembers it was the thirty-first of March because it was her own birthday.’
‘I don’t know what to say.’ Nancy dashed her hand across her eyes. ‘It’s such a tragic tale. I almost wish we hadn’t come here today.’
‘But we did, and this corroborates what Gervase told you. He repeated the story to me several times last evening, although he’s convinced that Sir Oliver was his father, which would make you brother and sister, instead of cousins.’
‘He’s obviously mad.’ Nancy turned away, overcome by a maelstrom of emotions. She could only think of her poor mother, sick and alone, who had lost all hope and walked into the dark waters of the cold lake.
‘Let’s leave it for now, Freddie,’ Tommy said abruptly. ‘Can’t you see you’re upsetting Nancy? I’ve had enough of this place. Let’s go home.’
‘You’re right. We should go now.’ Freddie lifted Nancy onto the saddle. ‘I’m sorry, but at least you know who your parents are. It is a sad story, but they would be so proud if they could see you now.’
‘It’s one thing to suspect I was related to the Greystones, it’s quite another to have proof. I’m truly overwhelmed.’
Tommy vaulted onto his horse. ‘I can’t wait to see Hester’s face when we tell her. She had you down for a housekeeper or a farmer’s wife. She’ll have to eat her words when she finds out that you are Sir Oliver and Lady Greystone’s only child. Let’s go home and tell everyone.’
‘No, Tommy.’ Nancy shook her head. ‘I want to get used to the idea before we put it to the family. Rosie and Alex should be coming home soon. I’d rather tell everyone together. It’s such an extraordinary story.’
‘You do realise that this would make you the heir to Greystone Park?’ Tommy said triumphantly. ‘Christina won’t like that.’
‘Gervase is convinced that he can prove he is the true heir.’ Freddie mounted his horse. ‘I suggest you keep this from him, Nancy. He acts like a fool, but he’s not a man to cross.’
‘I don’t want to take Greystone Park from Christina and Sylvia,’ Nancy said firmly. ‘They grew up there and their papa left it to them in his will. I’m happy to go on as I am. In fact, I’m not sure whether I want everyone to know the truth. Perhaps the secret should not be shared after all.’ Nancy flicked the reins and rode off.
Freddie caught her up on the outskirts of the village. ‘Not so fast, Nancy. Don’t you want to see my new home?’
She reined in, staring at him in disbelief. ‘I didn’t think you were serious.’
‘Follow me and I’ll show you.’ Freddie led the way to the old keeper’s cottage, where Abe Coaker had once lived. He dismounted and tethered his horse to the fence. ‘Bertie has let it to me at a nominal sum in return for work on the estate.’
‘What sort of work could you do, Freddie?’ Nancy gazed at him in surprise. ‘I mean, you aren’t used to manual labour.’
‘I can chop wood and scare off poachers. I am actually a very good shot.’
Nancy allowed him to help her from the saddle just as Tommy reined in his horse beside them.
‘What’s going on? Why have we come here, Freddie?’ Tommy leaped to the ground and secured the reins around an overhanging branch.
‘Freddie says he’s going to live in the keeper’s cottage,’ Nancy said, laughing for the first time that day. ‘It’s a really silly idea, Freddie. You don’t need to do this.’
‘I think I do. Despite what you say, I believe you are all under the impression that I’m a rich man’s son who is incapable of doing a day’s work. I intend to disprove that and earn your respect.’
‘What work are you proposing to do?’ Tommy stared at him in amazement. ‘I doubt if you’ve ever lifted anything heavier than a cup of coffee.’
‘I know a surprising amount when it comes to managing the land. Bertie has offered me the position of gamekeeper and Abe Coaker is going to make sure that I do everything as it should be done.’
‘For how long?’ Nancy was suddenly serious. ‘You surely don’t intend to carry this out for very long?’
‘I’m not needed at Dorrington Place. Papa has land agents and bailiffs to manage the estate. I will stay for as long as it takes to show you that I am sincere, Nancy. Everything I do is for you. I want you to believe that. I don’t care if you are a pauper’s child or a member of the aristocracy. I love you for what you are and what you mean to me.’
‘I’ll bet you ten guineas that you give up after a fortnight,’ Tommy said, grinning.
‘I’ll accept the wager. You’ll see.’
Nancy gazed at the tiny cottage on the edge of the wood. It looked dilapidated and in need of someone to bring it back to life. She made her way up the overgrown path and, finding the front door unlocked, she went inside. The ground floor was both kitchen and parlour with a black-leaded range and a clay sink. The well in the small back garden provided water, and at one time Abe had a productive vegetable garden, which was now lost beneath a cloak of nettles and brambles. Upstairs were two small bedrooms, both unfurnished. Nancy descended the narrow staircase to where Freddie and Tommy stood in the middle of the kitchen.
‘There isn’t even a bed, Freddie. How are you going to manage here? Have you ever lit a fire or cooked on a range?’
He shrugged. ‘I can learn. As to furniture, Bertie has been very generous with items consigned to the cellars at the castle.’
