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‘Mrs Jackson was most helpful. I think she took pity on me. And when the old furniture that Sir Bertram threw out arrived, I found among it a box containing everything I needed to make myself comfortable, including tea, sugar and a large seed cake. Mrs Greep at the farm supplied me with milk, eggs and butter. Although she wanted to know everything about me.’
‘I hope you didn’t tell her too much,’ Nancy said, laughing. ‘Mrs Greep is a notorious gossip.’
‘I revealed enough to keep her happy.’ Freddie made the tea and brought it to the table. ‘I was angry yesterday, Nancy – I expect Tommy told you – but I was also hurt that you didn’t feel you could confide in me.’
‘It wasn’t that at all, Freddie. We had to go to London to see Sir Michael’s solicitor. Gervase would have a valid claim to the property and the title if the estate was entailed, but according to Mr Selly that isn’t the case.’
Freddie poured the tea into two slightly chipped cups. ‘So you are the legal heir, if you can prove you are Sir Oliver’s daughter.’
‘Yes, that’s it, exactly. But it needs to be something more than Gervase’s vague childhood memory of Sir Oliver handing a baby to his father, and the swaddling cloth.’
‘Do you know if there are other Greystone relations who might know something?’
Nancy stared at him in wonder. ‘Why didn’t I think of that? The dreadful Miss Collins is Sylvia and Christina’s second cousin, although she is a lot older than they are.’
‘Do you know where she lives?’
‘I can find out easily enough.’
‘Then I suggest we pay her a visit. I’ve finished my chores for today, and Bertie hasn’t given me any work to do as yet, so I’m free. I have my horse and chaise in one of the Greeps’ barns. They were very kind and agreed that I might keep them there.’
‘Dora Greep will do anything to be first with the news.’
‘Drink your tea and I’ll walk over to the farm and collect the chaise. Do you suppose that Mrs Greep would have the information we need to find Miss Collins?’
‘I’d be very surprised if she didn’t, but don’t mention my name or it will be round the village that we are engaged to be married before you can get your horse harnessed.’
Martha Collins and her companion, Miss Moon, lived in a tiny cottage on the edge of the Greystone estate. When she saw how Lady Greystone’s relation lived in such reduced circumstances, Nancy was not surprised that Miss Collins bore a grudge against anyone connected to the family in any way.
Miss Moon opened the front door and she gave Freddie a blank stare but her expression changed subtly when her gaze travelled to Nancy.
‘If he’s sent you from the big house to ask more questions, Miss Collins isn’t at home.’
‘Are you referring to Mr North?’
‘He was calling himself Greystone when he came knocking on the door several days ago.’
‘We are not here on his behalf,’ Nancy said hurriedly. ‘May we come in?’
‘I don’t think she’ll want to see you.’
‘We need Miss Collins’ help, Miss Moon,’ Freddie said with a persuasive smile. ‘It’s most important or we wouldn’t bother you.’
Nancy slipped past her. ‘This is ridiculous. I just want to ask her a couple of questions.’
‘You can’t do this,’ Miss Moon protested, but she was too late. Nancy had opened the door to the front parlour and she stepped inside.
‘I’m sorry to inconvenience you, Miss Collins. But I really need your help.’
‘If you’re here on behalf of that upstart you can leave immediately.’ Miss Collins turned her back on Nancy.
‘I am not here for Gervase North. The very opposite.’
Miss Collins glanced warily over her shoulder. ‘What then?’
‘Did you know that your cousin Helena gave birth to a baby shortly before she died?’
‘It was a terrible tragedy. She took the baby to a watery grave. We don’t talk about it.’
