burst of sadness clogged her throat making it difficult to speak. She missed Nick so badly. ‘He is away for the moment.’
‘Then I wish him God speed to return to you, Mrs Wylder.’
Evelina wished it, too, but she could not allow Nick’s continued absence to fill her thoughts, there was too much to do. Letters had to be written, lawyers consulted and funeral arrangements to be put in place. Evelina left the running of Makerham to Mrs Harding while she busied herself with the rituals of bereavement. She sent off her note express to Hastings and wondered how soon she could expect a reply.
Two days later she was in one of the attic rooms, searching through trunks of her mother’s clothes for anything that might be altered and used as a mourning gown when from the open window she heard the sounds of a carriage on the drive. Her heart began to thud painfully at the thought that Nick had returned. She hurtled down the stairs, arriving in the great hall just as the door opened.
‘Oh I knew you would come! I—’
She broke off, fighting back a wave of anger and disappointment when she saw Bernard Shawcross stepping through the doorway.
‘I am delighted to think I have not disappointed you, Cousin,’ he said smoothly. As he straightened from his bow he put his hand to his neck. ‘You see, I have adopted a black cravat. Thought it fitting.’
‘Y-yes, thank you,’ she stammered. ‘You received my letter.’
He inclined his head. ‘I came immediately. I thought you would need me. This is a very distressing time for you. You have my deepest sympathy, dear Cousin. Such a shock for you.’
‘Shock? No…no. Grandpapa’s health has been of concern for some time. That is why we did not remove to my husband’s home in the north country. But you must think me very rag-mannered. Pray sit down, Bernard; you must be wondering why Captain Wylder is not here to greet you. He is away, you see. On business.’
‘Ah.’ His close-set eyes under their heavy brows were fixed upon her. ‘So you have not heard from him?’
‘N-no, not yet. It is my hope that he is even now on his way to Makerham.’
Bernard’s mouth stretched into a smile. ‘Let us hope so, indeed. But in the meantime I am here to support you. If you would ask Mrs Harding to prepare a room for me…’ He waved one hand. ‘I know, by rights it should be the master’s room, but perhaps it is a little soon.’
She knew a little spurt of anger at his presumption. ‘Far too soon,’ she retorted. ‘Grandfather’s bedchamber is still as he left it—’ She broke off, gathered herself and said more calmly, ‘One of the guest rooms shall be prepared for you.’
Eve was glad of the excuse to leave her cousin and she hurried away to consult the housekeeper. Mrs Harding’s reaction to his arrival was typically forthright.
‘So he’s turned up, has he? Like a bad penny, that one.’
‘He is the master here now, Mrs Harding,’ Eve reminded her gently. She ignored the housekeeper’s scornful look. ‘I must clear Grandpapa’s room for him, but not yet.’
‘No of course not yet, Miss Eve! Why, the master ain’t even in his grave. We’ll strip the room out completely after the funeral, miss, and we’ll do it together. It’s not a job for a young lady to take on alone.’
‘And…’ Eve bit her lip ‘…and will you join us for dinner, Mrs Harding?’ She could not explain her uneasiness, but the older woman nodded immediately.
‘Of course, miss, and I’ll be in the drawing room of an evening, too. You shouldn’t be left alone with that man.’
‘Oh, I am sure there is nothing…’
‘You cannot be sure of anything with that one,’ retorted Mrs Harding grimly. ‘He’s trouble, you mark my words. I just wish the captain was here, he would know how to look after you.’
Eve forced a smile. How easily the staff had taken to Nick.
‘Perhaps we shall have news of him tomorrow.’
It was not until the day of Sir Benjamin’s funeral that they received word of Nick and when it came, the news was shattering. Evelina was in the morning room with her cousin, waiting for the carriage to take them to Makerham church when Green announced that Captain Wylder’s valet had arrived and wished to speak to her.
‘At last!’ She gave a brief look of apology to her cousin as she hurried away to the great hall where Richard Granby was waiting for her.
‘Well,’ she greeted him, ‘what news have you from your master?’ She heard footsteps on the stairs behind her and knew a moment’s irritation that her cousin should follow her, but it was forgotten as she observed the grave look upon Granby’s face. ‘What is it?’ she said sharply. ‘Tell me.’
‘There has been an…accident, ma’am.’
Evelina stared at him. Bernard put his arm about her and guided her to a chair.
‘You had best sit down, Cousin,’ he murmured.
She kept her eyes fixed upon the valet. ‘An accident? Is he badly hurt?’
Granby shifted uncomfortably and Eve put her hands to her cheeks as a shocking idea forced its way into her head.
‘Not—?’
Bernard’s hand clenched on her shoulder. ‘Is he dead?’ he said harshly. ‘Out with it, man.’
‘Yes, sir.’
Eve could only stare at him. The world was shifting, unbalanced. She was having difficulty thinking. She heard Bernard asking what had happened and tried to concentrate upon Granby’s answer.
‘Drowned. Fell overboard from the yacht. On Saturday last.’
‘Perhaps he survived,’ suggested Bernard. ‘Might there not be some hope?’
Granby shook his head. ‘No sir. They were somewhere beyond the Rocks of Nore, too far out for an injured man to swim. But we did check the beaches…’
‘Yacht?’ Eve frowned. ‘But he went to Hastings on business. What was he doing on a yacht?’
Granby looked even more uncomfortable.
Bernard patted Eve’s shoulder. ‘There will be time for such questions later, my dear. For now I think you should lie down.’ His calm assumption of authority put new spirit into Eve.
Impatiently she shook off his hand. ‘I have no intention of lying down. I am not ill, Cousin, and I shall not fall into hysterics because my husband is—’ She could not bring herself to say the word. She knew her composure could shatter at any moment and she would not let that happen. She must stay strong. Eve took a deep, steadying breath. ‘You must have ridden half the night to reach here so early, Mr Granby. Thank you for that. I suggest
