Page 77 of Sunday's Child

‘I followed you to Rockwood the moment I discovered you had left Dorrington Place. It was late when I arrived and I booked a room at the Black Dog. Who should I meet in the taproom but our old friend Gervase North?’

Nancy pulled a face. ‘He’s not my friend. He insisted on travelling with me when I left Dorrington Place.’

‘He told me that. He also said that you and Patricia had gone to Cornwall, chasing after Captain Blanchard and Patricia’s husband. He gave me a long and garbled explanation as to why you would travel so far just before Christmas, so I left for Cornwall.’

‘You went to Trevenor?’

‘I did, and I was told at The Anchor that Lady Pentelow and Mrs Gibbs had fled because the ship carrying gold from Barbados had gone down in the Atlantic Ocean. No one in the village knew their whereabouts.’

‘Leo and Alex had sailed to Barbados weeks earlier, intending to bring Piers home.’

‘Why would they do that? I thought you said that Piers was in Australia.’

‘When he was pardoned he went to Barbados to help the blockade runners taking arms and supplies to the Southern states.’

Freddie pulled a face. ‘He can’t seem to keep out of trouble.’

‘That’s true, but Lady Pentelow wanted him to take over running the mine. I’m not sure about gold, but the money Piers sent home was certainly lost at sea when the Corinthian sank off the Azores. Lady Pentelow couldn’t pay the miners and there was a riot.’

‘That’s more or less what I was told in Cornwall so I came here hoping to find you.’

‘Where else would I be?’

‘I don’t know. I had a feeling you and Patricia might have done something rash like chasing off to Barbados.’

‘If it were possible that’s exactly what we would have done, but we had to bring Lady Pentelow and Aurelia to safety. They were in genuine danger. Aurelia’s husband died in the riot.’

‘I’m sorry.’

‘She isn’t heartbroken, Freddie. It wasn’t a happy marriage and they had separated some time ago. Lady Pentelow can’t run the mine and neither can Aurelia. They need Piers to come home now he’s a free man.’

Freddie stared into the flames. ‘I might be able to help.’

‘Really? I don’t see how, unless you have a ship ready to sail for Barbados.’

‘I haven’t, but I know who’s in a position to be of assistance.’

‘Who is that?’

‘William Russell. He knows the shipping business inside out. He has a position with one of the biggest ship owners in England.’

‘Of course. Why didn’t I think of that?’

‘If I leave now, I could be in London by this evening. I think William owes us a favour or two.’

‘I’m coming with you,’ Nancy said firmly.

‘But tomorrow is Christmas Eve. You’ll want to be with your family.’

‘Yes, but if we can get news of Leo and Alex it will mean so much to Patsy and Rosie and the children. Maybe William will know if the Cyrene has left Barbados and is on the way home.’

‘That’s what I was hoping, but it would be better if you remained here. I promise I’ll return as soon as I have news.’

‘You’re not leaving me behind, Freddie. I’ll speak to Rosie. She will understand.’

‘I can do this on my own. Stay here with your family, Nancy.’

‘No, Freddie. This is my family business. I intend to come with you, but first I’ll send Flossie with coffee and something to eat. You must be hungry after your journey.’