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‘I’m sorry, Ma. I have to get back to my ship before dark. I just wanted to see you before we sail.’
‘I suppose I’ll have to get used to this,’ Hester said, smiling. ‘I’m proud of you, son.’
‘You’ll stay for tonight, won’t you, Piers?’ Bertie asked. ‘Another day won’t make much difference after so many years abroad.’
‘Well, I’m not afraid to ask.’ Patricia leaned across the table, fixing her gaze on Piers. ‘What changed your mind about returning home, Piers? I don’t believe you have a conscience.’
Piers leaned back in his seat. ‘You are right, of course, Patsy. I used to take what I wanted without any thought to others. But after Alex and Leo left for home I started thinking, and I realised that if I didn’t return to Trevenor soon I might be too late. Grandmama isn’t the easiest person to love, but she did her duty by me and Aurelia, as well as Alex. I always pay my debts, that’s my one saving grace.’
Bertie eyed him thoughtfully. ‘You might find you have competition, Piers.’
‘What do you mean by that?’
‘Rupert Charnley accompanied Alex and Rosie when they went to Trevenor. Do you know him?’
Piers frowned. ‘I know him by sight. His family own one of the biggest sugar plantations on the island.’
‘You’d better make haste to return then, Piers, or you might find you have a rival for Trevenor,’ Patricia said mischievously.
‘The estate belongs to me.’
‘It does,’ Patricia said, seriously. ‘But Aurelia’s late husband was a partner in the mine with Alex. Aurelia will own that share now. She would be a good catch for anyone and Rupert is very handsome as well as being wealthy. The Blanchards might lose their share in the mine and the income from it if she should remarry.’
Nancy could see that Piers was put out by this remark, but Tilly hurried in to lay two extra place settings, followed by Flossie carrying a large tureen of savoury-smelling soup.
Conversation ceased while everyone ate, and at the end of the meal Hester took Tobias to her private parlour, while Piers produced a box of cigars, which he shared with Bertie and Walter. They even allowed Tommy to sample one, although Nancy could hear him coughing and spluttering as she left the dining room. She smiled as she made her way to the drawing room with Patricia and Louise. Tommy was still very young in his ways and she loved him dearly, but perhaps not in the way he wished.
They settled themselves comfortably by the fire and Tilly brought a tray of coffee and some of the little fancies that Mrs Jackson had made especially for Nancy’s birthday.
They drank coffee and discussed Nancy’s news. There was one thing upon which they were all agreed. Gervase must not be told of the will that had been sent for probate. Even if he had discovered previous testaments, it was obvious from the date that this would have been the last one Sir Oliver had written.
‘I’m in two minds whether or not to tell Christina.’ Nancy looked from one to the other but both Patricia and Louise shook their heads.
‘Certainly not,’ Patricia said firmly. ‘She is as bad as Gervase. She’d do anything to keep Greystone Park for herself and Sylvia.’
‘Christina is lady of the house at Cottingham Manor now, but I wouldn’t want to turn Sylvia out.’
‘Of course you’ll do the right thing, Nancy.’ Louise patted her on the shoulder. ‘No one doubts that. They are your cousins, after all.’
Nancy laughed. ‘So they are.’ She raised her coffee cup. ‘I’ll drink a toast to that. I just hope Christina sees it in a generous spirit.’
Patricia and Louise exchanged meaningful glances.
‘It’s Gervase I worry about most,’ Nancy said dismissively. ‘I don’t think it’s going to be easy getting him out of Greystone Park when the will is read. The most important thing is to keep him imagining that he is going to inherit until probate is granted.’
Patricia shook her head. ‘I don’t trust him. Remember Ewart Blaise, Nancy? I think Gervase is very similar in character and best avoided.’
‘Yes, don’t be tempted to go near him, Nancy,’ Louise added earnestly. ‘From the little I’ve seen of him, I agree with Patsy.’
‘I wanted to visit Mrs Betts again,’ Nancy said with a heavy sigh. ‘But Mr Mounce advised against it, and the same for Dr Bulmer. He said it would be better if he obtained an affidavit from them confirming that they attended the birth and that it was their signatures on the will.’
‘Best leave it to the experts.’ Patricia replaced her cup and saucer on the tray. ‘All this excitement has made me weary. I think I’ll go home and rest, that’s if I can tear Leo away from listening to Piers’s stories of derring-do. No doubt they’ve started on the brandy.’
‘I’ll see you home,’ Nancy volunteered.
‘I would go with you,’ Louise said apologetically, ‘but I have to rescue Jennet. She’s looking after the children and they’ll be getting restive. She’ll be glad when Rosie returns home. Dolly, Rory and Phoebe really miss their mama and papa.’
Nancy stood up to ring the bell for a servant. ‘I’ll have the chaise brought to the front entrance, Patsy. I can drive you home. I’d like a breath of air, anyway.’
