‘Some twisted revenge for past hurts? A man sacked or a poacher arrested?’
‘I suppose revenge might be the reason.’ Robert lifted his wineglass and drained it. ‘Remind me to have a few cases of this shipped back when we go, Nor. I doubt my uncle has anything drinkable in his cellars.’ He rose to his feet and ran long, sensitive fingers through his dark hair. He was a handsome devil, strong and lean, with a face that reflected his emotions all too often. ‘I’ll ride over and visit Adelaide. I suppose you don’t want to come? Miss Bartlet is very pretty, too, you know. I am certain she doesn’t want to be a poor relation all her life.’
‘That may be the case, but Miss Bartlet shudders every time she sees me. No, thank you, Robert. I’ll stay here and write your letters—and I’ll see about shipping some wine. We might sell a few dozen cases. It would be worth looking into the idea of shipping wine home, especially if we’re going to live there for a while.’
‘Leave it all to you, Nor,’ Robert drawled, and laughed huskily. ‘I’m a lazy devil. What would I do without you?’
‘Go to the devil a little faster than you are already?’ his friend suggested, giving a snort of laughter.
Shaking his head, Robert Moorcroft, lately become Earl Banford, left the villa that had been his home for the past two years or so, since Napoleon’s surrender. Obviously he couldn’t hide away here for ever. Despite his reluctance, he was the heir to an old line, and he would have to provide an heir for the future one day. The only thing in doubt was whether he did it in that draughty old barn or built himself a new house …
‘Oh, my goodness,’ Amy said as the coach drew to a halt in the courtyard of the house they’d caught glimpses of for the past ten minutes or more. ‘Those towers and the tiny windows. It’s like something out of Udolpho … so romantic …’
‘It’s big,’ her more practical sister said, and felt her stomach catch with nerves.
She really hadn’t expected the house to be this large. It was impressive, with its towers and the soft, faded grey stone of its old walls, but daunting, a little forbidding. A myriad of tiny windows sparkled in the late-autumn sunshine, their leaded panes like so many diamonds twinkling as they caught the dying rays of the sun on a day that had been unseasonably warm.
‘A place like this needs an army of servants to keep it as it ought to be.’
‘Mr Breck told you that only one wing is in use for the family. The other two were closed up years ago—and the folly is actually unsafe.’
‘How do you know that, Millie?’ Selina looked at her. ‘Were you listening at the door?’
‘No, I read the letter he left for you—the one that tells you where all the keys are kept and all the other things he thinks you ought to know.’
‘Indeed?’ Her sister gave her a quelling look. ‘Since I did not give you permission to read my letter, you were prying, miss.’
‘If you don’t pry, you never know anything,’ Millie said, and looked pleased with herself. ‘I may only be twelve—thirteen next birthday—but I’m old enough to understand. You shouldn’t treat me as if I were a child, Selina.’
‘No, I shouldn’t. You are old enough to understand, miss—which is why I was cross when I caught you trying to pack that Book of Hours. It is medieval and far too valuable to hope that Cousin Joshua would not notice if it went missing.’
‘He’s a mean pig,’ Millie said, forgetting that she was a young lady. ‘Why should he have it? Papa said it was to be mine when I was sixteen. He promised me I should have it.’
‘Well, he ought not to have made a promise like that,’ Amy said. ‘Anyone knows that book is entailed, Millie. We were allowed to bring only personal things—that book must be worth near a thousand guineas. Cousin Joshua would certainly come after us if we took something so valuable. I had to leave that painting I liked, too.’
‘It just isn’t fair …’ Millie bit her lip as she looked at the house. ‘It looks a bit creepy. I bet there will be ghosts.’
‘Papa told us all there was no such thing as a ghost—not the kind who rattle chains, anyway—only unhappy spirits tied to a place or house,’ Selina reassured her calmly.
‘I hope there are ghosts,’ Amy said, and opened the door to jump down before the postilion could do it for her. ‘I can’t wait to see inside.’
As she began to walk towards it, the front door opened, and an elderly man dressed in black came down the steps to greet them. At his back was a woman of a similar age and two male servants who appeared to be outside workers.
Selina’s servants had travelled in a second small coach behind them, with the baggage on a wagon at the rear. They had arrived now, and by the time all three girls had got out, the servants were grouped behind them. When Selina moved forward, they followed, rather like guards of honour, as if prepared to defend her.
‘Miss Searles?’ The butler came forward, his eyes flicking to the women behind her, his expression wary. ‘I expected you earlier.’
‘We suffered a small delay at the last posting house,’ Selina told him with a smile. ‘You are Trent, of course. I am so relieved that you have remained at your post. I am sure your help will be invaluable.’
‘Well, ma’am,’ Trent said, visibly melting under the warmth of her smile, ‘I am sure I felt it my duty to the new earl. If traditions are not to be lost, he will need someone who recalls the old days when he decides to come home.’
‘Yes, of course,’ Selina replied easily. ‘And so shall we, for this is to be our home in the meantime, and we wish to do everything as it ought to be—and I know you will be able to tell me how things used to be, Trent. Although we may need to change certain things. I have only a few servants, as you see. My groom is bringing the horses, but I shall have to acquire a chaise for our use.’
‘I daresay there is one you may use in the coach house, ma’am—and the carriage horses are still here. The earl did not wish to dispose of them, you see. My brother’s grandson has been helping out in the stable while we waited to see what happened.’
‘Well, that would be useful—though I’m not sure I ought to take advantage.’
‘A tenant is entitled to use all the facilities, ma’am.’
‘Well, we shall see,’ Selina said. ‘Our goods are not far behind us. I see you have two strong men. Do you think they could unload the wagon for us?’
‘Certainly, ma’am, it’s what they’re here for. They will take your trunks up first, and then you may wish to direct them where to put your furniture.’
‘It will mostly go in our bedrooms. There are only a dozen pieces or so—also some china, glass, silver and linen. I have a beautiful spinet and a sewing table, also a pretty desk which may go in the parlour …’
‘We have several parlours. You must allow me to give you a tour, ma’am. You will want to decide which is for your personal use.’
‘How kind you are, Trent. I was afraid you might resent us because we’re not family,’ Selina said gently.
The old man looked sad. ‘We’ve lost our family, ma’am. All but the new earl. Until he decides to take a bride and bring the house back to life, we shall be glad to have a family like your own staying here.’
‘Thank you. Perhaps I may introduce you to Miss Amy Searles and Miss Millicent, known to us all as Millie.’
‘Pleased to meet the young ladies, I’m sure,’ Trent said, and turned towards the elderly lady standing behind him. ‘This is Nanny Barnes. Nanny had nowhere else to go, so like me she decided to stay while she was of use. Nanny is very good at preparing tisanes and the like—and she’s more than capable of helping