Page 58 of Sunday's Child

‘You don’t know my mama when she has her mind set on something. I might have to retire to the folly on the hill and spend Christmas on my own.’

Nancy laughed. ‘Then I’ll come with you. We can pretend we are on a desert island like Robinson Crusoe.’

‘If only it were that simple.’ Freddie leaped to the ground and handed the reins to one of the stable boys, who had rushed to assist him.

Nancy waited for Freddie to help her down from the high seat. At home she would have risked snagging her skirts on the projecting foot rest, or landing in a way that Hester would call inelegant, but with the eyes of the Dorrington servants upon her she decided she had better act like a lady.

They entered the house to find the Brocklebourne family being greeted by Lady Dorrington, who spotted Freddie and summoned him to her side with a single glance. Nancy stood back, not wishing to intrude, and it gave her time to observe the newcomers. Lord Brocklebourne was an imposing figure with a fine head of silver hair and a booming voice. He was in deep conversation with his host. Lady Brocklebourne was also tall but she was thin and angular, with a permanent frown etched on her face. She might have the advantage of height over Lady Dorrington, but the latter was on home ground and, away from the glare of her husband, she bristled with determination.

‘Freddie, come and greet Lady Brocklebourne and Letitia.’

He stepped forward, acknowledging Lady Brocklebourne before turning to Letitia with a shy grin.

‘I h-hope y-you had a p-p-pleasant journey.’

Nancy had to stifle the urge to rush to his side and hold his hand. It was obvious that the two mothers had decided between them that Freddie would be the ideal husband for Letitia and, despite her reservations, Nancy felt sorry for the plain young woman. She looked as though she would be more comfortable riding to hounds than standing in the great hall at Dorrington Place, being sized up as a good marriageable prospect for Freddie.

Letitia made a movement that was a casual attempt at a curtsey. ‘Yes, thank you, my lord.’

‘F-Freddie, p-please.’

Letitia shrugged. ‘May we go to our rooms, Mama?’

Lady Dorrington beckoned to Lizzie, who was hovering in the background. ‘Show Lady Brocklebourne and Lady Letitia to their rooms. Pickering will see that your luggage is brought up directly.’

Lizzie led the way, with Letitia and her mother following.

‘Come to my study, Brocklebourne,’ Lord Dorrington said jovially. ‘We’ll join the ladies later.’

Lady Dorrington watched her husband and their guest as they strolled off together. She turned to Freddie with an ominous frown.

‘That wasn’t much of a greeting, Freddie. How many times have I told you to remember what your tutor told you about stuttering like a fool? Stop and think about what you are going to say.’

‘I-I’m s-sorry, Mama.’

‘Sorry doesn’t help, Freddie. You must show Letitia that you are a gentleman and a good prospect. She will inherit a fortune from her papa and from her maternal grandfather.’

‘P-please, Mama, I am not interested in her f-fortune. She d-doesn’t even l-like me.’

‘Are you surprised about that, Freddie? A codfish would have shown more enthusiasm than you did when you greeted her. I don’t want to see that behaviour repeated. Do you understand me?’

‘Y-yes, Mama.’

‘You will be a fool and a disgrace to the family if you allow this opportunity to slip through your fingers.’ Lady Dorrington flounced off in the direction of the morning parlour.

Nancy moved swiftly to Freddie’s side and laid her hand on his sleeve. ‘I’m sorry, Freddie.’

He managed a smile. ‘I don’t care what anyone says, Nancy. I am not going to propose to Letitia.’

‘She seems nice enough,’ Nancy said cautiously.

‘I’m sure she is, but I will marry for love.’ Freddie glanced over his shoulder. ‘That sounds as if we have another arrival. I’m going to see what’s happened to the Christmas trees. Are you coming with me?’

He looked so much like a naughty schoolboy that Nancy wanted to laugh. ‘Run away and hide, Freddie. I think I’d better change into something more appropriate, and I really should find out if Mrs de Marney needs anything. I am supposed to be working for her and her husband.’

Freddie hesitated. ‘Do they pay you a wage?’

‘No, not as such. I get free board and lodging and Felicia pays for my clothes. Money was never mentioned.’