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‘Oh, could you?’ Aurelia’s hazel eyes brightened. ‘We were putting all our faith in my brother, but it seems that Piers has little interest in what happens at home. It would be wonderful if you could suggest something that would make it possible for us to keep Trevenor.’
Alex slapped his friend on the back. ‘Would you come to Cornwall with us, Rupert? I saw how you handled matters at the plantation. Maybe you could offer some suggestions.’
‘I would most certainly try.’
Rosalind sighed. ‘Alex, you aren’t thinking of leaving us again, are you?’
‘You could come with me, my love. I don’t want to go away again, but if we do nothing it’s almost certain that Trevenor will have to be sold to pay off debts or face bankruptcy, and the mine will be closed.’
‘I can’t leave the children, Alex. Who would take care of them?’
‘My love, we have servants who are devoted to them. Hester will make sure that the children are looked after properly.’
‘I suppose I have this to come.’ Patricia rose to her feet. ‘It’s lovely to meet you, Rupert, but I think it’s time we went home. I find myself a little fatigued these days.’
‘Are you all right, darling?’ Leo stood up and put his arm around her. ‘You should be resting.’
She laughed. ‘I’m not ill, Leo. I’ve been taking care of everything while you were away, but I am a little tired, that’s all.’ Patricia beckoned to Fletcher. ‘Cora, will you send a message to the stables for our chaise to be brought to the front entrance?’
‘Yes, missis.’ Fletcher ambled from the room, narrowly avoiding a collision with Tilly, who had brought a tray of tea and cakes.
‘We should go home, too,’ Louise said firmly. ‘It’s getting late, Walter, and Charlotte goes to bed early.’
Walter rose from his seat and went to shake Rupert’s hand. ‘We’ll see you again soon.’
Rosalind poured tea and Tilly handed it round to those remaining. Jennet came to take the children up to the nursery. They went reluctantly, and only after Alex had promised to tuck them in when they were ready for bed.
Nancy sat back and watched. The old feeling of being the odd one out had returned, leaving her sad and set apart from the family. She found herself wondering what Freddie was doing at that moment. Had he missed her? He had never been too far from her thoughts, especially during the sea voyage home. Perhaps his mother had managed to persuade him to propose to the heiress. That thought was even more depressing.
‘You will come to Cornwall with us, won’t you, Nancy?’
Nancy turned to Aurelia with a start. ‘I’m sorry. I was miles away. Did you just ask me to accompany you to Trevenor?’
Aurelia gave her a hug. ‘Please say yes. I need someone on my side. Grandmama has never forgiven me for marrying Martin.’
‘Why me? I mean, Rosie will be going too.’
‘I know, but she and Alex will be together all the time, and I’ll have no one to talk to.’
‘What about Rupert?’ Nancy glanced at Rupert who had moved away and was talking to Rosalind and Hester.
‘He’s so nice, isn’t he? But you know me, Nancy. My heart rules my head. I don’t want to make a fool of myself over a man. Not again. Please say you’ll come with us.’
Nancy nodded. ‘Of course I will.’
Later that evening Nancy was getting ready for bed when someone tapped on her door. She went to open it and found Rosalind standing in the corridor, holding a chamber candlestick.
‘May I come in for a moment, Nancy?’
‘Of course. Is anything wrong?’ Nancy stood aside to allow Rosalind to enter her room, closing the door after her. ‘Are you all right?’
‘I’m fine, but I wanted to talk to you.’ Rosalind set the candlestick down on a side table. She perched on the edge of the bed. ‘A couple of days after you left for Barbados, we had a visit from Lord Ashton.’
Nancy slumped down on the dressing-table stool. ‘What did he want?’
‘It was clear that you are still very much on his mind, Nancy. He was very sweet and totally honest about his feelings for you.’
‘I thought we’d agreed not to see each other again.’
