Page 51 of Sunday's Child

Nancy laughed. ‘I don’t think you need me, Jack. And as I recall, you and Eleanora married in secret.’

‘We did. It was so exciting.’ Eleanora smiled up at her husband. ‘We were married in London and went back to Jack’s rooms in Duke Street. No one would believe we were a respectable married couple. It was so amusing. We kept up the fiction for a week or two and then someone found out and told Papa. Of course, he was furious and now he’s not speaking to me, even though Jack and I are boringly respectable.’

‘You’re happy,’ Nancy said, sighing. ‘That’s all that matters.’

Molly cleared her throat. ‘Might I go and speak to Reuben, miss? He’s standing by the lich-gate.’

‘Of course. Have a word with him and perhaps he could find me a cab to take me back to John Adam Street.’

‘I have my carriage waiting,’ Flora Fitzallen said hastily. ‘You may travel with me if you wish, Nancy.’

‘Won’t you stay awhile?’ Eleanora turned to Nancy with a persuasive look. ‘Surely an hour or two won’t make much difference? Stand up to that prima donna. She doesn’t own you, Nancy.’

‘I agree, but I should get back, in any case. I just wanted to share Tamara’s big day.’ Nancy’s gaze strayed to where Molly and Reuben were talking animatedly.

‘Why isn’t Freddie with you?’ Eleanora lowered her voice. ‘You seem to be on very good terms with Ashton.’

‘I like Freddie. We get on well, it’s true, but don’t make something of it that doesn’t exist, Eleanora. I know you. You’re a born matchmaker and a terrible gossip.’

Eleanora laughed. ‘Those are my good qualities, Nancy dear.’

‘Come along, Nancy. I’m leaving now.’ Flora headed towards the gate, leaving Nancy little option but to follow her. Nancy said goodbye hastily and hurried after Mrs Fitzallen.

Molly was about to part from Reuben when Nancy waylaid her. ‘Take the rest of the day off, Molly. There’s no need for you to hurry back to John Adam Street. Spend some more time with Reuben.’

‘He almost did it, miss,’ Molly whispered. ‘He started on about weddings, and then he got all tongue-tied and shy.’

‘Humour him, Molly. Put him at his ease and enjoy your time together. I’ll see you this evening after the performance. I’m sure Reuben will bring you home.’ Nancy smiled at him over Molly’s shoulder and he managed a bashful grin. ‘Be patient, Molly.’

‘Do hurry, Miss Sunday,’ Flora called from the door of her carriage. ‘I want to get away before Hubert arrives. I’m sure he’ll have got wind of the wedding somehow or other and I don’t want to be here when he discovers that his daughter is a married woman.’

Nancy was about to obey when she heard the sound of horses’ hoofs. A familiar brougham came into view and she recognised Mason, Freddie’s coachman.

‘It’s all right, Mrs Fitzallen. Thank you, but I think Freddie has come for me.’

Flora acknowledged her with a brief wave before climbing into her vehicle.

‘Why didn’t you tell me what you planned?’ Freddie demanded as he leaped to the ground. ‘I would have brought you here this morning. Have I missed the wedding?’

‘Yes. I am so sorry, Freddie. I only decided to attend after we parted yesterday, and there was no time to get a message to you this morning.’

He smiled. ‘Don’t look so worried. I had a prior appointment anyway. I thought I passed the happy couple in their carriage, but I am in time to take you home.’

‘Thank you, Freddie. But you could stay and enjoy the wedding breakfast with Jack, Eleanora and Baldwin.’

‘I’d rather be with you anyway.’ Freddie handed her into the carriage. ‘John Adam Street, Mason.’ He climbed in after her and sat down. ‘Tell me all about it.’

Nancy had hoped to find Felicia and Claude in the morning parlour with their newspapers and coffee, but the house in John Adam Street appeared to be in a serious state of disorder. Rawlings was visibly upset when she opened the door to let them in, and the entrance hall was piled high with trunks, and travelling cases of all types. Servants were running up and down the stairs carrying bundles of clothing, bedding and a variety of household goods and the ornaments that Felicia insisted on taking from one set of rented rooms to another.

‘What’s going on, Rawlings?’ Nancy asked anxiously.

‘You’d better ask the mistress.’ Tight-lipped as ever, Rawlings stalked off in the direction of the back stairs.

‘It looks as if you’re leaving,’ Freddie said slowly. ‘I thought Mrs de Marney had accepted Papa’s invitation to Dorrington Place. We’ll be going there next week anyway.’

‘I don’t know, Freddie. None of this had happened when I left this morning.’

Nancy headed for the morning parlour, where Claude was pacing the floor, smoking a fat cigar. This was something that Felicia would never normally have allowed. She appeared to be oblivious to everything going on around her as she sat drinking coffee. The strong smell of brandy and the silver flask on the table went some way to explain her behaviour.

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