Page 52 of Sunday's Child

‘What’s happened?’ Nancy looked from one to the other. ‘Are we leaving?’

Felicia drained her cup and set it back on its saucer with a clatter. ‘Tell her, Claude. I can’t bear to speak of it.’

‘Felicia has decided that she cannot accept—’

‘Oh, Claude. Don’t mince words. I had a terrible row with Carlotta, and Garson Thorne took her side. I walked out for good this time.’

‘But the luggage in the entrance hall – are we leaving today?’

Felicia reached for the coffee pot and refilled her cup, adding a generous tot of brandy from the flask. ‘I told Garson Thorne exactly what I thought of him.’

‘We have no choice other than to visit Rockwood,’ Claude said carefully. ‘I will put it about that it is long overdue and family matters call us home.’

‘No one will believe that.’ Felicia swallowed a mouthful of coffee. ‘Everyone knows that I would never abandon a role, unless of course there was a very good reason.’

Freddie cleared his throat. ‘I-if I might s-suggest s-something?’

‘Go ahead, my lord.’ Claude tossed the butt of his cigar into the fire. ‘Any suggestions would be welcome.’

‘Dorrington will be ready and waiting for the guests to arrive next week. There may be a few rooms that are not aired, but I’m sure we can accommodate you comfortably. My business in London is done, so I am free to travel home at any time. I know my parents would welcome you warmly if you choose to accompany me.’

Nancy clasped Freddie’s arm, smiling. He had uttered a whole sentence without stammering and she felt a surge of pride. ‘Well said, thank you, Freddie.’

‘Do you mean it?’ Felicia asked slowly. ‘What will your papa say?’

‘H-he invited you i-in the f-f-first place.’

Claude stepped forward to shake Freddie’s hand. ‘I say that’s a generous offer we can’t afford to refuse.’ He turned to his wife. ‘What do you say, my dear? After all, an invitation from the Earl of Dorrington cannot be refused without causing offence. It gives us a good excuse to walk away from the theatre before the end of your contract.’

‘Garson will sue me,’ Felicia said grimly. ‘He’s never recovered from the rebuff I gave him years ago when he tried to seduce me.’

‘What are you saying?’ Claude demanded angrily.

Felicia blinked nervously. ‘Don’t lose your temper, Claude. It was a long time ago, as I said. But Garson isn’t a man to forgive or forget. I think that is why he has taken on the Corvi woman for his next production.’

‘Then I have no qualms about you leaving before the end of the season, my dear. I would have called him out had I known about his behaviour.’

‘That’s settled then,’ Nancy said hastily. ‘It looks as if we are leaving for Devonshire.’

‘If you will permit me, I will organise the t-travel arrangements. I w-w-will send a t-telegram to Dorrington t-to tell them of our arrival.’ Freddie left the parlour with Nancy following him.

‘Thank you so much, Freddie.’ Nancy grasped his hand. ‘I know that Felicia can be difficult, but this business with Carlotta Corvi has really upset her.’

Freddie squeezed her fingers. ‘I know. I could tell, which is why I suggested we leave for Dorrington today. I’ll send Mason to get the tickets and arrange for a carrier to take the luggage to the station.’

‘I’ve just remembered that I left Molly with Reuben in Highgate. I can’t leave without telling her.’

‘Mason can fetch her when he’s been to the station. Maybe Reuben will be moved to propose.’

Nancy laughed. ‘I believe you are a true romantic, Freddie.’

‘I surprise myself sometimes, Nancy.’ Freddie edged his way past the piles of baggage and let himself out into the street, closing the door behind him.

The journey to Devonshire had been tedious, with the train stopping at almost every station, but the first-class compartment was warm and comfortable. Felicia slept for most of the way and Claude read his newspaper. He used each stop to get out onto the station platform and stretch his legs or to smoke a cigarillo, only returning to the carriage when the guard blew his whistle. Freddie and Nancy played cards and chatted or lapsed into amicable silences to gaze out at the countryside flashing past the windows. Molly and Violet Tinker travelled third class.

When they stepped off the train at the railway station, Mason appeared with a couple of footmen from Dorrington Place. They unloaded the luggage and strapped it onto the roofs of the two carriages that they had brought to pick up the guests, and everyone travelled on in style.

It had been dark for some time when they finally arrived at their destination, and it was impossible to see the splendour of the parkland surrounding the great house. The carriages were driven through an avenue of tall trees, which opened out into a wide sweep of gravel in front of the house. Dorrington Place was illuminated by flambeaux, the dancing flames reflecting on the white stucco. Nancy caught her breath at the sight of Freddie’s imposing home. Elegant in its symmetry, it was even grander than the Nash terraces in Regent’s Park. A columned portico sheltered the front entrance and liveried footmen awaited their arrival, standing stiffly to attention on either side of the open door.

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