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‘I’ll tell you over luncheon. So much has happened since you went back to university after Christmas that I don’t know where to begin.’
Tommy closed the visor on Sir Denys’s helmet. ‘Still gaping at us, are you, Denys old fellow?’ He laughed. ‘I used to think that Sir Denys really was inside that suit of armour when I was a nipper.’
‘So did I. Even now I sometimes think he’s watching us at night, although if anything he’s being protective. I was never frightened of old Sir Denys.’
Tommy grabbed her by the hand. ‘I can hear footsteps and it sounds like Hester. I’d know that tread anywhere. She marches like an army.’
Giggling like children, they raced to the back stairs and made their way to the kitchen.
Edna Jackson looked up from rolling out pastry and her smile was genuine. ‘Lord, Master Tommy, you gave me a fright. What are you doing here?’
‘I had to leave university because I missed your delicious meals, Cook. Look at me – I’m half-starved.’
Cook wagged a floury finger at him. ‘You might be all grown up, Master Tommy, but you are still a cheeky boy at heart.’
‘Ignore him, Cook,’ Nancy said, smiling. ‘We are really hungry. I know we’re too late for luncheon, but could you find us something to eat, please?’
‘You are as bad as he is, Miss Nancy. Go into the servants’ hall and I’ll see what I can do.’ Cook beckoned to Flossie, who had started as a scullery maid and was now Cook’s assistant.
‘There’s some lamb stew left over from luncheon, Flossie. Heat it up and cut into the new loaf. Master Tommy needs feeding up.’
‘Thank you, Cook. I love you,’ Tommy said, blowing her a kiss as he led Nancy through the kitchen to the servants’ hall. They sat at a long refectory table and Flossie darted in and out with cutlery, crockery, a plate of butter and a basket of freshly sliced bread.
Tommy leaned toward Nancy, his expression suddenly serious. ‘So how are you? What’s been happening? I know there’s something wrong. You could never keep anything secret from me.’
Nancy filled a glass with water and took a sip. ‘I suppose it all started with Lady Pentelow and Aurelia coming here because things were so bad at Trevenor.’
‘Go on, tell me everything.’
Nancy took a deep breath and related everything that had happened since Tommy was last at home; however, she did not mention Freddie’s name. She had hoped he would make a return visit, but she was beginning to wonder if his mother had managed to bully him into offering marriage to the heiress.
Flossie brought plates brimming with savoury-smelling lamb stew and they ate hungrily. Tommy did not ask questions until they had finished eating. He sat back on the bench, eyeing her curiously.
‘What happened to that wealthy fellow you were so sweet on? The one with the stammer.’
‘You mean Freddie Ashton. I haven’t seen him for a while.’
‘If he’s been playing fast and loose with your affections, he will have me to deal with. I won’t allow anyone to hurt you, Nancy.’
She smiled sadly. ‘I know it, Tommy. I think you are the only person in the whole world who really understands me. I trust you absolutely and I can’t say that of many people.’
He grasped her hand. ‘Then marry me, Nancy. I’ve loved you since we were nine or ten years old.’
‘You are so sweet, Tommy,’ Nancy said gently. ‘I love you too, but we’re more like brother and sister, aren’t we?’
He withdrew his hand. ‘Yes, of course.’ His expression changed and he looked up at the sound of heavy footsteps. ‘Hester, you’ve found us.’
Hester came to a halt, standing arms akimbo. ‘What do you think you two are doing down here in the servants’ hall? And why are you home, Thomas Carey? Have you been sent down?’
Tommy rose to his feet and embraced Hester. ‘Don’t be cross, Hester. We were hungry so we threw ourselves on Mrs Jackson’s mercy. Now do I have to make the same pleas to you? I mean, Papa will not be pleased when he sees me. You’ll be the kind lady you are and you’ll tell him for me, please?’
Hester took a deep breath. ‘You always were an impossible boy. You haven’t changed despite the fact that you are almost a man.’
‘So you will tell him?’
‘Certainly not. I don’t know what you did to get sent down, but that is between you and your papa. He has the whole estate to run with only Wolfe to help him since Alex went to Cornwall and there’s no word as to when we might expect them to return.’
‘Then he will be pleased to see me. I intend to give up my studies in order to learn land management. One day I will inherit Rockwood Castle and the estate. Practical experience will be worth much more to me than anything I can learn from a fusty old book.’
