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Jarvis opened the door and Hester fled in the direction of the back stairs, leaving Nancy to greet their visitor.
Nancy held back, watching out of the window as Christina Cottingham was assisted from her carriage by a uniformed footman. She was wrapped in a fur-trimmed mantle over a voluminous skirt, and a fur hat perched at a smart angle on top of her elaborate coiffure. She marched towards the main entrance, leaving Nancy little alternative other than to move forward to greet her.
‘Where is everyone?’ Christina demanded. ‘We passed two carriages heading out of the village.’
‘Come into the morning parlour. It’s warmer in there.’
Christina shivered theatrically. ‘Yes, I remember how cold and draughty this old place is. Cottingham Manor is bad enough, but this pile of old stones is ten times worse.’
Nancy ignored the criticism and led the way to the morning parlour.
‘Has anything happened to Sylvia?’ she asked anxiously.
Christina shook her head. ‘Sylvia is making good progress, as far as I am aware. No, this is another matter entirely.’
‘Would you like some tea or coffee, Mrs Cottingham? A glass of sherry wine, perhaps?’
‘No, thank you. I don’t intend to stay long. I have a meeting with the land agent at Cottingham Manor. I have had to take charge of everything since Papa-in-law passed away.’
Nancy sat down by the fire. ‘What about your mother-in-law, Lady Cottingham? Doesn’t she do anything to help?’
‘Glorina isn’t interested in the estate. She has her eye set on Sir Wilfred Madison, who owns a vast estate in Wiltshire. She’s hardly ever at home these days, which is a blessing, because I cannot abide that woman.’
‘How does your husband feel about the prospect of his mother remarrying?’
Christina tossed her head. ‘Ossie is too busy with his parishioners to bother much about anything else. I never thought he would be such a conscientious clergyman. I might have changed my mind about marrying him had I known that he would suddenly become so sanctimonious.’
‘But you have the children.’
‘Oh, yes. Although Nanny looks after them. I am too busy with estate matters and showing my face at church and parish council meetings. It’s not a glamorous life, Nancy.’
‘Why did you come here today? I don’t mean to be rude, but you have never bothered with me before, and you fell out with Patricia years ago.’
‘That was different. Patricia married my father and she thought she was going to inherit the estate. We have barely spoken since.’
Nancy eyed her warily. ‘What can I do for you, Mrs Cottingham?’
‘Did you know that Gervase North has taken over Greystone Park?’
‘Taken over? I’m not sure I understand your meaning. I knew he was visiting but that was some time ago. I’ve been out of the country.’
Christina’s thin lips drew together in a tight line of disapproval. ‘So I heard. News gets round very quickly. Mr North is a cousin of mine and Sylvia’s, but he insists that he is the rightful owner of the estate.’
‘I’m sorry, but it really has nothing to do with me.’
‘I thought you were his friend. He boasts about his connection to the Carey family.’
‘He is most definitely not my friend. I know him a little, but that’s as far as it goes.’
‘That’s a pity. I was counting on you to persuade him to leave.’
‘I don’t know why you think he would listen to anything I had to say.’
‘You were good to my sister. I’ll always be grateful for that. I had hoped that your affection for her might convince you to help me to oust the man from our property. I’ve tried to see him but he refuses to speak to me.’
Nancy could see that Christina Cottingham was not going to give up easily. ‘I think you overestimate my powers of persuasion, but if it means so much to you and Sylvia, I am willing to try. Just once, you must understand.’
Christina stood up, smiling triumphantly. ‘I knew you would agree to help, if only for my sister’s sake. Aunt Pennington writes that Sylvia is in good spirits and the physicians are optimistic for her complete recovery. I don’t want anything to get in the way of that.’
