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Hester beckoned to Louise. ‘I expect you want to check on the children. I’ll made sure that proper arrangements are made for Mr and Mrs de Marney.’ Hester sailed out of the room, followed by Louise.
Wolfe put his head round the door. ‘The carriage is waiting, boss.’
‘Carriage? Where are you going at this time of night?’ Felicia demanded, sinking down on the chair nearest to the fire.
Nancy took the handle of the Bath chair. ‘We are on a mission to catch a criminal, Mrs de Marney.’
‘Yes, Mama. You’ll have to excuse us and entertain yourselves for the rest of the evening. We’ll tell you all about it at breakfast.’
Nancy pushed the wheeled chair out into the hallway and Wolfe took it from her.
‘That gave me a great deal of pleasure,’ Bertie said, grinning. ‘My mother loves to make an entrance but this time we’ve stolen her thunder, so to speak, Nancy. I’d rather we didn’t have to do this but …’
Wolfe growled with laughter. ‘Don’t lie, boss. You’re enjoying every minute of it.’
‘I suppose I am,’ Bertie said cheerfully. ‘Forget my mother and her husband. We’ve got more important matters on hand. Remember that you are under orders to stay in the carriage no matter what, Nancy?’
‘I haven’t forgotten.’ Nancy patted Sir Denys’s visor as she walked past the suit of armour. ‘We need your spirit on our side, Sir Denys. I hope you will come with us and bring Gervase to justice.’
Chapter Twenty-Six
Nancy, Bertie and Wolfe arrived at the gates of Greystone Park in time to see Gervase escorted out of the estate by two burly police constables. Gervase was protesting loudly and he made an attempt to escape but was met by Freddie’s fist, which felled him to the ground.
‘You deserved that, North,’ Freddie said, rubbing his knuckles. ‘The law will punish you for what you’ve done, but that was from me for putting Nancy through such an ordeal.’
Gervase was hauled to his feet by the constables. ‘I’m bleeding,’ he bleated. ‘You’ve broken my nose.’
‘You fell while attempting to resist arrest,’ Constable Burton said severely. ‘Tie his hands and put him in the wagon. He can rest in the cells tonight.’
‘I want him charged with abduction and imprisonment,’ Bertie said firmly. ‘Miss Sunday is my ward and I am responsible for her.’
Nancy did not argue. Greystone Park might belong to her when probate was granted and Mr Mounce had made a case to prove her identity, but at the moment she had no desire to enter the grounds. She watched Gervase being hustled into the police wagon with a feeling that justice was being done. Gervase had tried to walk over everyone in his chosen path to become the owner of Greystone Park, but he had been found out and would pay the price. She turned to see Freddie walking purposefully towards her, and she leaned out of the carriage.
‘You were magnificent, Freddie.’
He smiled ruefully. ‘I’m ashamed to say I rather enjoyed punching Gervase on the nose. He deserved it for what he put you through.’
‘Are you coming back to Rockwood with us?’
‘Not tonight. Leo invited me to stay at the mill house, and I think that might look better, but I’ll come round to see you first thing in the morning.’
‘Tell Patricia that her mama has descended upon us,’ Bertie said, grinning. ‘No doubt, when she hears Patricia’s news, our mother will be overjoyed at the prospect of becoming a grandmama yet again.’
Freddie laughed. ‘I’m well acquainted with Mrs de Marney. I will pass on your message.’ He turned to Nancy, reaching out to clasp her hand. ‘I’ll see you in the morning. Try to get some rest, my darling.’
She raised his hand to her cheek. ‘I’ll sleep better knowing that Gervase is locked up safely. Good night, Freddie.’
Wolfe glanced over his shoulder. ‘Shall I take you home now, boss?’
‘Yes, Wolfe. We’ve seen enough.’ Bertie leaned back against the squabs. ‘I didn’t do anything myself but it was very satisfying to see North receive his just deserts. Drive on.’
Nancy blew a kiss to Freddie as the carriage moved off in the direction of Rockwood Castle. She knew that Freddie loved her, but if they were to have any future together she still had to overcome his parents’ prejudice, and that was not going to be easy.
Next morning, the first visitor to arrive was not Freddie but Herbert Mounce, who had driven himself from Exeter in an eccentric curricle that had seen better days, as had the old horse that was harnessed between the shafts.
Nancy happened to be passing the window and had seen him draw up at the front entrance and hand the reins to Pip, the under groom. She hurried to greet him as Jarvis ushered him into the entrance hall.
‘Good morning, Mr Mounce. You are up and about early.’
