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‘That’s not how he sees it. He told me that his mother is trying to make him propose to some heiress, whom he cannot abide. But he loves you, Nancy.’
‘I can’t say I like Lady Dorrington, but I have to agree with her, Rosie. Freddie will one day inherit the title and the estate, he can’t marry a nobody like me.’
‘Surely he is the best judge of who he wishes to be at his side for the rest of his life?’
‘Perhaps it would work for a while, but sooner or later he might come to regret it, and I couldn’t bear that.’
Rosalind gave her a searching look. ‘But do you love him, Nancy? Surely that’s what counts the most.’
‘I love him too much to bring him down to my level. Freddie is worth more than that.’
‘I think you are wrong, Nancy. I also think that you should talk to Freddie. You can’t run away to Cornwall and expect him to forget you. He’s too nice a person to treat in that way.’
Nancy jumped to her feet and went to stare out of the window into the swirling darkness. ‘I know he is, but I’m not running away. Aurelia asked me to accompany her.’
‘I’ve known Aurelia for a long time. I can deal with her. Freddie intends to return here. I think the least you can do is to stay and tell him how you feel.’
Nancy turned her head to meet Rosalind’s gaze. ‘Yes, you’re right, of course. If he comes here again I will be honest and straightforward with him. If he doesn’t arrive, I’ll know that he has changed his mind.’
‘I knew you’d see sense, Nancy. I just want you to be happy. You are good enough for any man. It doesn’t matter who your parents were – you are a wonderful person and we all love you. I’m sorry if anyone in the family made you feel differently.’ Rosalind rose from the bed. She picked up her candle and opened the door. ‘Sleep well tonight, and tomorrow I’m sure you will do the right thing.’
Nancy remained by the window, staring out into the dark night sky, until eventually the cold made her lose the feeling in her fingers and toes, and she was forced to take refuge in her bed. She huddled beneath the covers, trying to put Freddie from her mind, and eventually slipped into a fitful sleep.
Nancy was late down to breakfast next morning and found that everyone had eaten, except her. She had lost her appetite and, having drunk a cup of rapidly cooling coffee, she went in search of Rosalind. She found her coming out of the nursery, wiping tears from her eyes.
‘It’s the first time I’ve ever left them,’ she said sadly. ‘I know I’ll worry all the time we’re in Cornwall.’
‘They have Hester and me to help look after them,’ Nancy said with more confidence than she was feeling. ‘You mustn’t worry about the children.’
‘That’s easy for you to say, but when you have a family you’ll know what I mean.’
‘My parents obviously didn’t care about what happened to me,’ Nancy said bitterly.
‘That’s something you have to forget if you are ever going to have a happy life, Nancy. You don’t know the circumstances. It could have been something like Tommy’s mama, who tried to bring him up on her own but she succumbed to an illness. Bertie knew nothing about his son or else Tommy would have been raised here, with the people who love him.’
‘I know. I’m being selfish and maudlin,’ Nancy said with a wry smile. ‘But I’m going to do as you say, Rosie. I’ll be here if Freddie comes looking for me, and I’ll talk it over with him. Now go. Sort things out in Cornwall and then hurry home.’
An hour later Nancy was standing in the bailey, watching the second of the two carriages drive out through the gates. She went back into the entrance hall, which suddenly felt very empty. Hester emerged from her private parlour and came bustling towards her.
‘Don’t look so gloomy, Nancy. They’ll be back before you know it. Rosie won’t be parted from her babies for long.’
Nancy managed a smile. ‘Yes, I know that. It just feels very quiet without them.’
‘Bertie is here, although he and Wolfe have gone out on their rounds of the estate. Patricia is not far away – you could visit her. I know she’s be delighted to have your company and you need to keep yourself occupied, young lady. There’s always something to be done in the still room, if you have nothing else to do.’
‘You’re right, of course. Perhaps you could show me how to make that rose-scented cream for hands and face.’
‘I’ve been making lavender oil recently from the dried flowers we picked last summer. I can help you to make some of that.’
‘Yes, thank you.’
The sound of carriage wheels and horses’ hoofs made them look out of the window onto the bailey and Jarvis moved as swiftly as he was able to stand by the door.
‘I know that carriage,’ Hester said grimly. ‘I’m going to the still room. You can join me later when you’ve sent that madam packing.’
‘Who is it?’
‘It’s Christina Cottingham. I preferred her when she was Christina Greystone. She’s hoity-toity now that she lives in Cottingham Manor, even though that husband of hers is just a clergyman. She had her eye on Bertie years ago. He had a lucky escape, if you ask me.’
