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‘I can see that nothing I say will change your mind.’
‘Yes, Freddie. My mind is made up.’ Nancy left the room and went in search of Rosalind. She found her in the still room below stairs.
‘What’s wrong, Nancy? You look flushed. Are you ill?’
‘No, really I am quite well.’ Nancy took a deep breath. ‘Freddie has arrived.’
‘How delightful. Is he going to stay for Christmas?’
‘He followed me and Patsy to Cornwall, Rosie. He knows all about Trevenor and that Alex and Leo are in Barbados. He suggested that we speak to William Russell, the man who married my friend Tamara. William works for one of the largest ship owners in the country.’
Rosalind put a bottle of rose-water back on the counter. ‘I don’t understand. What has that got to do with us?’
‘William might be able to give us news of the Cyrene. At least we will know if she has set sail from Barbados. He might even have a ship about to leave for the island.’
‘What are you thinking, Nancy? Surely you’re not suggesting that we go in search of them?’
‘Somebody has to do something. I can’t bear to see you and Patsy so worried all the time.’
‘If it makes you feel better, let Freddie go to London and speak to your friend. I would certainly welcome any news about Alex and Leo. I wish they hadn’t gone on such a wild-goose chase. Piers always manages to cause trouble.’
‘I want to go to London with Freddie.’
Rosalind stared at her, eyes widened. ‘But, Nancy, you can’t do that. You’ll ruin your reputation if you travel alone with Freddie, and anyway it’s almost Christmas. You should be here with us.’
‘No one will know, and I really don’t care what people think. I’m going anyway, but I didn’t want to do it without warning you. Please don’t try to stop me.’
‘I can see how much it means to you, but I want to speak to Freddie, on my own, before I agree.’
Nancy nodded. ‘He’s in the morning parlour.’
Nancy and Freddie arrived in Doughty Street late that evening. It had been a tiring journey by train and a cab from the station. The somewhat reluctant maidservant showed them into Mrs Fitzallen’s parlour.
‘Nancy! Freddie! I wasn’t expecting you.’
‘Mrs Fitzallen, we need to know where Tamara and William are living now.’
‘Good heavens, why? And why are you calling at this time of the evening?’
Freddie placed Nancy’s valise on the floor by the sofa. ‘I think N-Nancy had b-better explain, ma’am.’
Nancy did her best to outline the situation as simply as possible, but Mrs Fitzallen continued to look bemused.
‘I don’t really understand what you think William could tell you, but one thing is clear to me. You cannot go gallivanting around town at night without a chaperone, Nancy.’
‘I can stay tonight at Dorrington House,’ Nancy said casually. ‘There are dozens of servants so it must be quite proper.’
‘Nonsense. I understand that the Dorringtons are still in the country. Your good name will be compromised beyond redemption. You must stay here with me. Tomorrow you may visit my niece.’
‘That’s extremely k-kind of you, ma’am,’ Freddie said hastily. ‘I’ll call for you early tomorrow morning, Nancy, and when we have the information from William I’ll take you home to Rockwood.’
Nancy was about to protest but she could tell by Freddie’s set expression that it would be useless. This was a side of him she had not previously seen, although she knew in her heart that he was right. It would be both rude and foolish to refuse Mrs Fitzallen’s generous offer of accommodation. She was suddenly overcome by a feeling of exhaustion and the thought of a warm, comfortable bed was too tempting to refuse.
‘Thank you, ma’am.’
‘Tamara and William have a pretty little house in Chelsea. They seem very happy.’ Mrs Fitzallen turned to Freddie. ‘It’s getting late, my lord. Perhaps you had better be on your way.’
Freddie called for Nancy early next morning. When they arrived at the house in Chelsea Tamara threw her arms around Nancy in a welcoming hug. ‘How wonderful to see you again. Will you come for Christmas dinner tomorrow? We have a huge goose and all the trimmings. Papa is coming, too. He’s come round to our marriage, especially now he’s going to be a grandpapa.’
