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‘Nancy, I really would prefer to spend the night at Rockwood.’
‘Do you want me to ask Reuben and Mason to drag you from the carriage, Gervase? You imposed yourself upon us, so now it’s your turn to do the gentlemanly thing and leave us in peace.’
‘You are a hard woman, Nancy Sunday. I used to think you were young and sweet.’
‘Maybe I was, once. But now I am gaining knowledge of how the world outside Rockwood works. So are you going to get out, or do I have to call for assistance?’
Gervase hooked his portmanteau onto his arm as he opened the door. ‘One day you will be sorry that you treated me so unkindly.’
‘Goodbye, Gervase.’
He slammed the door and stomped off towards the tall gates.
‘If he hadn’t gone then I would have pushed him out myself,’ Molly said with a grim smile. ‘He’s trouble, that one, miss. I wouldn’t trust him an inch.’
‘I think you’re right.’ Nancy tapped on the roof as a signal for Mason to drive on. ‘We’ll be home soon. I wish I could have let them know we were coming.’
‘We’ll be in time for Christmas. I haven’t seen Mother and Father for ages.’
‘We’re nearly there, Molly. You have Reuben now.’
‘Yes, he proposed last evening, miss. I didn’t like to tell you before.’
Nancy gave her a hug. ‘I’m delighted for you, Molly. You deserve to be happy and Reuben is a good man. Now you can introduce him to your family.’
‘But I’ll have to leave you, miss. We’ll be living in Highgate.’
‘Then I will have to come and visit you there. Or maybe Reuben will want to come and live in Rockwood. You never know what might happen.’
Nancy settled back against the squabs to enjoy the last lap of the journey home. In the distance, silhouetted against a dark sky, she could see the square towers of her old home, and her pulse quickened. She might not be related to the family by blood, but she loved them all, even Hester. She could hardly contain her excitement as the carriage rumbled over the bridge and entered the castle grounds. As they entered the bailey Nancy was amazed to see that the flambeaux had been lit and Jarvis was standing in the open doorway with James at his side. Pip Hudson appeared as if from nowhere to hold the horses while Mason and Reuben climbed down from the box.
James stepped forward to open the carriage door and he proffered his arm to help Nancy alight.
‘Welcome home, Miss Nancy.’
‘Thank you, James. But how did you know we were coming?’
He grinned. ‘News travels fast in Rockwood, miss. The carriage was seen stopping outside Greystone Park. Young Pip had been visiting his granny in the village and he saw you through the window. That boy runs like the wind.’
‘James.’ Jarvis’s stentorian voice rang out across the cobbled yard and James snapped to attention. ‘See to the luggage and keep your comments to yourself.’
‘Don’t scold him, Jarvis,’ Nancy said, smiling. ‘It’s good to be home. I’ve missed you all.’
‘Thank you, Miss Nancy.’ Jarvis inclined his head, keeping a straight face, but Nancy had seen the twinkle in his eyes.
She entered the castle, breathing in the familiar smell of home. The slightly musty odour of an ancient building was almost obliterated by the scent of pine needles from the massive Christmas tree, with a hint of the outdoors emanating from the boughs of holly interwoven around the banisters. Swags of ivy festooned the sombre portraits that gazed down at her from their lofty position on the wall. Nancy patted Sir Denys’s visor as she walked past the rusty suit of armour, keeping up the family tradition. Sir Denys Carey had died in battle several centuries earlier and his spirit was supposed to haunt the castle. Nancy did not believe in ghosts, but she was not taking any chances. It would be a mistake to anger Sir Denys, especially just before Christmas, which was when he was said to have breathed his last. Before she had time to move on she was enveloped in a double hug from Rosalind and eight-year-old Dolly.
‘You’ve come home, Nancy,’ Dolly cried enthusiastically. ‘Mama said I had to go to bed but she allowed me to stay up to see you.’
Rosalind kissed Nancy on the cheek. ‘Welcome home. You can tell me all about it when you’ve had time to catch your breath.’
Nancy was about to speak when Hester bustled up to them. ‘This is a surprise, Nancy. Have you fallen out with Felicia?’
‘She doesn’t need me anymore,’ Nancy said evasively.
‘But you’re home in time for Christmas,’ Dolly added gleefully. ‘If I go to bed now will you come up to the nursery and tuck me in?’
Nancy met Rosalind’s amused glance and she smiled. ‘Of course I will. Just give me time to take off my outdoor things and I’ll come up and tell you a story.’
