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‘She thinks you don’t care for her, Reuben.’
‘That I do, miss. I loves her with all me heart, but I didn’t think she would want to be tied to a poor man like me.’
‘I think you should allow her to make that decision,’ Nancy said firmly. ‘But that doesn’t explain why you’re here, Gervase. You haven’t given me an answer.’
‘I came to find you, Nancy.’
Pickering returned before Nancy had a chance to question Gervase further.
‘His lordship is unable to see you now, sir. But if you would like to follow me, both of you gentlemen, you will be given a meal while rooms are being prepared for you. It’s obvious you cannot travel on tonight.’
‘I was hoping to speak to the earl or his son personally.’
‘Maybe tomorrow, sir. They are otherwise engaged at present.’
‘Don’t argue, Gervase,’ Nancy said firmly. ‘His lordship is entertaining his guests, but he could have had you thrown out or you might have been sent to the stables to sleep. I would count myself lucky, if I were you.’ She went to mount the stairs but Gervase called out to her.
‘Wait, you could come and sit with us.’
‘I’ll bid you good night, Gervase, but I will send Molly to speak to you, Reuben. After all, you came a long way to see her, so you must have something important to say.’
Nancy did not wait for his response. She went straight to her room.
Molly was turning down the bed. The fire had been banked up with coal and the curtains drawn. The room was warm and inviting, but Nancy was too excited to notice.
‘Molly, I have some wonderful news for you.’
‘Yes, miss.’
‘No, it really is what you’ve been waiting for. Guess who has just arrived?’
Molly’s rosy cheeks paled. ‘Not Reuben? He wouldn’t know how to get to a place like this.’
‘Well, he has, Nancy. He’s come all this way to find you. Leave what you’re doing. I can put myself to bed. Go downstairs and ask Pickering where Mr North and the other gentleman are having their meal.’
‘Mr North, miss?’
‘Yes, I’m not too pleased about that, but he’ll be on his way in the morning. Now brush your hair and pinch your cheeks to put some colour back in them. Go downstairs and put him out of his misery. Remember that Reuben is shy, and he must have been desperate to make the journey here.’
‘I will, miss.’ Molly patted her hair in place, and pinched her cheeks to bring a little colour into her pale face.
‘Go on, now. Don’t worry about anything other than making things right with Reuben.’
Nancy slumped down on her bed as the door closed behind Molly. She was happy for Molly and Reuben, but her own future looked bleak. She had thoroughly enjoyed her time with Freddie, but she knew it could not last. No matter what she or Freddie felt, they were up against a solid wall of prejudice and greed. The Dorringtons had no need of more land or money, as far as Nancy could see, and yet Lady Dorrington wanted her son to marry an heiress. Letitia was adamant that marriage was not one of her priorities, and maybe she would be happier on her own anyway. There seemed to be too many people wanting to interfere in the lives of others, but Nancy knew that invisible boundaries would prevent her from getting too close to someone like Freddie. Pressure would be brought to bear on him and eventually they would have to part. Moreover, Nancy had the feeling that Felicia would have more than a few words to say to her next morning, and it was not going to be pleasant.
Having awakened early, Nancy had just finished dressing when she received a summons from Felicia. Nancy knew better than to keep Felicia waiting and she hurried to her room. There was no sign of Claude, and Felicia was still wearing her wrap over a diaphanous nightgown. Her hair was confined to a nightcap and her face was pale with fatigue.
‘You are an ingrate, Nancy. After everything I have done for you, and all the money I have spent on clothing you like a lady, this is how you repay me.’
‘I’m sorry, Mrs de Marney. I don’t know what you mean.’
‘Don’t pretend to be so innocent, miss. You have been making eyes at Freddie Ashton ever since you met him. It’s clear to me that you think you can make him fall in love with you – well, I’m telling you that his parents will never allow him to make such a misalliance.’
‘I haven’t been flirting with Freddie. We get on well together, but I know he’s not for me.’
‘You are right there, but I don’t think you really believe that. If you continue to act as you have done, we will be asked to leave before Christmas. I will have to suffer because of you.’
‘That is very unfair, Mrs de Marney.’ Nancy stood her ground, glaring at Felicia. ‘You were invited here to entertain the guests and I am just your accompanist. Everyone knows that.’
