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‘I don’t know what Gervase thinks he’s doing, but he keeps popping up like a jack-in-the-box. I wish he would go away.’
‘I’ll have words with him if you like, Nancy. I don’t want him to pester you. He keeps company with the sort of people you wouldn’t wish to know.’
‘He’s a bit of a mystery, Freddie. I can’t make head or tail of him.’ Nancy glanced out of the window and sighed with relief. ‘He’s hailed a cab. Thank goodness for that. He’s gone to bother someone else.’
‘Excellent.’ Freddie placed the hamper on the floor. ‘I suggest you go and find something warmer to wear. It’s going to be cold at the zoological gardens.’
‘Perhaps we could call in at Doughty Street on the way home,’ Nancy said eagerly. ‘I want to find out how Tamara is getting on. I keep wondering if her papa has changed his mind now that William has a better-paid position.’
‘We can do that.’ Freddie followed her to the door and opened it. ‘I told Mason to walk the horse while we waited for you. I’ll catch his eye as he drives past.’
‘How long were you waiting for me, Freddie?’
‘Long enough, but it was worth the wait.’
They spent the afternoon in the zoological gardens, having eaten their picnic on a wooden seat beneath the trees on the Terrace Walk. It was cold and the pot-bellied clouds threatened rain or even a sprinkling of snow, but Nancy was enjoying herself too much to bother with such details. The food was delicious, and when they had eaten they moved on to view the seals and the camels. Then they visited the monkey house and the hippopotamus enclosure, as well as the giraffes. In fact, they walked until Nancy’s feet were sore, but she was oblivious to anything but the excitement of seeing exotic creatures and birds. In particular she enjoyed Freddie’s company. They were as light-hearted as two children freed from parental supervision, and she discovered that they shared a similar sense of humour. Freddie was knowledgeable and entertaining at the same time. Gervase and some of his cronies might sneer at Freddie because of his shyness, his slight speech impediment and his preference for country life, but Nancy found his idiosyncrasies endearing. She could only imagine that the people who chose to demean Viscount Ashton were simply jealous of his wealth and position. Nancy had never laughed so much as she had that cold wintry afternoon, and by the time they climbed into the waiting carriage she felt as if she had drunk several glasses of champagne.
They were still laughing over the silly jokes they had shared as the carriage drew up outside the house in Doughty Street. However, Nancy’s smiles faded when she was shown into the parlour to find Flora Fitzallen seated on the sofa, sobbing as if her heart would break.
Nancy sank down beside her and instinctively placed her arm around Flora’s shoulders.
‘What has happened, Mrs Fitzallen?’ Nancy glanced up at Freddie, who was standing by the fire, gazing at them helplessly.
‘C-can we d-d anything f-for you, ma’am? Do you n-need a d-doctor?’
Flora wiped her eyes on her already sodden hanky. ‘It’s Tamara. The ungrateful child has run off with that young man.’
‘With William?’ Nancy took her own hanky from her reticule and pressed it into Flora’s hand. ‘Where have they gone?’
‘Eloped. My brother-in-law refused once again to consider William as a suitable husband for Tamara.’
‘I thought it would be different now that William has a better-paid position,’ Nancy said anxiously. ‘Are you sure they’ve eloped?’
‘When d-did they leave, ma’am?’ Freddie asked gently. ‘How long ago?’
‘I don’t know, maybe an hour, perhaps two hours. I’ve sent a message to Hubert and I’m expecting him to arrive at any moment. He’ll blame me but it was that Eleanora woman who persuaded Tamara that elopement was the only answer.’
Nancy stroked Flora’s hand. ‘Perhaps she was right, Mrs Fitzallen. If Tamara’s papa won’t sanction the match, what else could they do?’
Flora ignored this remark. She clutched the two hankies in her hand, gazing hopefully at Freddie. ‘You have influence, my lord. Can you do something to prevent them from going to Scotland, which is where I’m afraid they are heading. I don’t know what Baldwin will say when he returns from his club. I sent one of the servants to fetch him and he should be here very soon.’
‘Mrs Fitzallen, Flora, please don’t distress yourself.’ Nancy spoke firmly and calmly. ‘Surely it is better to allow them to do as they wish? I mean, would you really want Tamara to marry an old man, just for his money?’
‘N-no, I suppose not. Although Hubert was set upon it. He won’t change his mind. I know my brother-in-law only too well. Lord Ashton, you have fast horses. Could you go after them and bring Tamara home before her reputation is ruined forever?’
‘It’s getting dark,’ Nancy said thoughtfully. ‘Do you think they will stop at a roadside inn, Freddie?’
‘Possibly, but it would be a wild-goose chase to go after them now.’ Freddie glanced out of the window. ‘A cab has just pulled up. I think that might be your son, Mrs Fitzallen, or maybe it’s Tamara’s father.’
Flora jumped to her feet, clasping and unclasping her hands. ‘Please, I’m begging you. Go now and see if you can find them and bring Tamara home before it’s too late. A night in William’s company will ruin her.’
‘I have an idea, Freddie.’ Nancy stood and picked up her reticule. ‘I think we should leave now. This is a family matter.’
‘Please do what you can,’ Flora said tearfully. ‘I will try to placate Hubert, but I’m afraid he will be absolutely furious.’
Her prediction seemed to be accurate, judging by the expression on Hubert Fitzallen’s face as he stormed into the room, passing Freddie and Nancy in the doorway without even glancing at them.
Freddie closed the door. ‘Let’s get out of here before Baldwin arrives. You can tell me your plan when we get into the carriage.’
