Page 79 of Sunday's Child

‘That’s wonderful news.’ Nancy returned the embrace. ‘I’m delighted for you.’

William cleared his throat. ‘It’s very nice to see you, but there is obviously a reason for your visit.’

‘William!’ Tamara stared at him in amazement. ‘That’s not very polite. Nancy is my best friend.’

‘N-no, y-you’re right.’ Freddie acknowledged William’s comment with a wry smile. ‘Of course Nancy wanted to see you again, Tamara, but the reason we’ve come all the way from Devonshire is we need your help.’

William nodded. ‘Take a seat, please. Tell me what I can do for you. I’ll do anything in my power to help.’

Nancy explained the situation. ‘… So you see we need to find out what’s happened to Alex and Leo. If we could persuade Piers to return to Cornwall it would solve the problems at Trevenor.’

‘Oh, William. Do say you can help,’ Tamara said eagerly. ‘You know everything that’s going on in the shipping business.’

He smiled indulgently. ‘Not quite everything, my love. But I have the latest Lloyd’s List, and that should give us some information about the Cyrene. I know you don’t like me bringing my work home with me, but I have a copy in my study.’ He stood up and left the room, returning moments later with a newspaper, which he placed on the table and spread the pages. ‘Come and see for yourself, Ashton.’

Nancy sat with Tamara while Freddie and William pored over the small print.

Freddie looked up. ‘It says that the Cyrene is in dock for repairs. So it doesn’t look as if it would have been ready to sail for a while.’

‘Which means that Alex, Leo and Piers are still in Barbados,’ Nancy said excitedly.

‘It takes some time for news to reach London.’ William frowned. ‘It’s possible the repairs were minor and the ship has sailed for home.’

‘Is there a ship leaving port for Barbados any day soon?’ Nancy tried to sound casual, but her nerves were on edge. The fate of Trevenor depended upon Piers’ speedy return to Cornwall.

‘One of our vessels left for Barbados yesterday, but I don’t know of any other merchantman taking that route for a while.’

Nancy bit back tears of frustration. ‘How disappointing. We’ve travelled all this way for nothing. I mean, other than the pleasure of seeing you both so content in your lovely home.’

‘I am so sorry, Nancy.’ Tamara rose to her feet and tugged at the bell pull. ‘You must have some refreshment. Perhaps you could stay for luncheon?’

‘Just a minute.’ William held up his hand. ‘The Bonaventure sailed from Portsmouth, but it is due to put in at Exmouth to pick up a cargo. If you wished to send someone as a paying passenger it should be possible to make arrangements at the port office.’

Nancy leaped to her feet. ‘We must leave immediately, Freddie. If we can get home to Rockwood tonight we will be able to make arrangements to travel to Barbados.’

‘I hope you aren’t thinking of going there on your own,’ Freddie said warily.

‘Of course not,’ Nancy said, smiling sweetly. ‘I have it all planned. You’ll see, Freddie.’ She gave Tamara a hug. ‘I will come and see you again and stay longer next time.’

‘Let me know how it all works out. Don’t lose touch, Nancy.’

‘Never. We will always be friends. Thank you, William. You’ll never know how much you’ve helped us.’

Freddie shook William’s hand. ‘I’m in y-your d-debt.’

‘Nonsense, Ashton. You and Nancy helped us when we were in need. I hope I’ve been able to do something in return, however small. I’ll see you out.’

Freddie handed Nancy into the waiting carriage. ‘Are you sure about this, Nancy? Wouldn’t it be enough to tell Lady Pentelow that as far as we know the Cyrene is safe?’

‘No, not at all. That would make it worse. She stands to lose her home and most of her income if the mine goes bankrupt. Aurelia deserves more in life than dwindling into a sad, penniless widow. I remember how she used to be.’

‘Then we’ll do all we can to help them.’ Freddie gave instructions to the coachman and climbed in to sit beside Nancy. ‘This is getting to be a habit.’

They arrived back at Rockwood Castle in the early evening to find that Bertie, as head of the family, had called a meeting and all the adults were assembled around the dining table.

Bertie waited until Nancy and Freddie were seated before he tapped his wineglass to call for silence.

‘I don’t approve of what you did, Nancy. But Rosie tells me that you asked her permission before you set off for London with Ashton.’ Bertie turned to Freddie, frowning. ‘You should have asked my permission first. Nancy is only eighteen and I am her unofficial guardian.’