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‘They were busy preparing food in the kitchen when I came up. You should just see the size of it, and there are different rooms for preparing meat and another for baking. I’ve never seen anything like it.’
Nancy smiled and reached for her wrap. She was just as impressed as Molly, but she was not about to admit it, not even to herself. The pale pink and white decorations of the waterlily room, with the flower theme on the wallpaper and the curtain material, as well as being woven into the soft Axminster carpet, was fresh and beautiful. If this elegant bedchamber was anything to go by, the rest of the house must be very sumptuous. Nancy washed, dressed and sat impatiently while Molly did her hair.
Downstairs in the dining room the servants were busy filling a battery of silver salvers and breakfast dishes with revolving lids where the bacon, devilled kidneys and sausages were kept warm. The rectangular mahogany table would have seated thirty in comfort, but it was set for a much smaller number. Silverware and crystal glasses gleamed in the firelight. Nancy hesitated, not knowing whether to take a seat or to wait for someone to join her, but then the door opened and Freddie strolled into the room. His face lit up when he saw her.
‘Nancy, you look rested. Did you sleep well?’
‘I did, thank you, Freddie. The bed was so soft and the room was warm. I slept like a baby.’
‘I’m glad. I want you to enjoy your stay here. I thought we’d go for a ride in my gig. It’s too cold for a walk around the grounds. But let’s have breakfast first and we can decide what to do then.’
Nancy helped herself from the dishes on the groaning sideboard and took her plate to the table.
‘Sit beside me, Nancy. I doubt if the others will rise early.’ Freddie followed her to the table and pulled up a chair for her.
Nancy sat down and placed a starched linen table napkin on her lap. A maid appeared with a coffee pot and filled her cup. ‘How many house guests will there be, Freddie?’ Nancy asked when the maid returned to her place standing well back from the table.
‘I don’t know exactly. Most of them will arrive next week, just before Christmas. Judging by the number of places set there must be half a dozen here already, not counting those who prefer to take breakfast in their rooms, which is what most of the ladies do.’
‘Should I stay in my room tomorrow, Freddie? I don’t want to upset the order of things here.’
‘No, of course not. You must do whatever you want, and I like having breakfast in your company. It’s a good start to the day.’
‘So it is.’ Nancy sliced the bacon on her plate and ate a mouthful. ‘Perhaps I could have a conducted tour of the house before we go out? I don’t want to get lost again like I did last evening.’
‘Of course. I’ll show you round and introduce you to the servants. I know it’s not the done thing, but I like to treat everyone equally. They look after us, so we should take care of them.’
Nancy smiled. ‘I agree entirely, Freddie. We’ve always behaved that way at home, except when Lady Pentelow comes to stay, which isn’t too often these days.’
Freddie swallowed a mouthful of toast. ‘Lady Pentelow?’
‘She’s Alexander’s great-aunt, although he thought she was his grandmother until a few years ago. She lives in Trevenor, on the Cornish coast, and the family own a clay mine. It’s all very complicated, and really nothing to do with you and me.’
‘I’d like to meet your family, Nancy. They sound interesting.’
‘They are, and to be honest I don’t know why Mrs de Marney doesn’t want to return home for Christmas. I know she loves to sing and to be the centre of attention, but to me family are very important, even though they are not my blood relations.’
Freddie laid his hand on hers as it rested on the table. ‘They brought you up, Nancy. I’m sure they regard you as one of them. You should try not to think about it too deeply.’
‘I know, and you’re right. I promise I won’t mention it again.’
‘You should feel free to tell me anything that’s on your mind, Nancy. I want us to be good friends.’
Before Nancy had a chance to respond the door opened and Lady Dorrington walked into the room. Freddie leaped to his feet and Nancy stood up.
‘M-Mama, you don’t usually grace the breakfast t-table,’ Freddie said nervously.
‘I was told that we have new arrivals,’ Lady Dorrington said coldly. ‘Have we met, young lady?’
Nancy curtsied. ‘Yes, my lady. We were introduced at the ball you gave at your home in London.’
‘M-Mama, this is Nancy Sunday. She is a ward of Sir Bertram Carey of Rockwood Castle.’
Lady Dorrington raised her lorgnette, eyeing Nancy curiously. ‘You’re related to that singing woman. Personally, I loathe opera, but Dorrington loves it. I believe she’s here, too. Am I correct?’
‘Yes, my lady. We arrived quite late last evening.’
‘May I pull up a chair for y-you, M-Mama?’ Freddie moved towards the foot of the table, but his mother shook her head.
