“Is she quite well in body?”
“She suffered from apoplexy whilst I was last away; as you may have seen, it affected her left side. Her leg does not function so well, and her eyesight is poor. I may need to engage help for Southey.”
“Of course. But still, I hope it is speedily done.”
Thomasin cringed at the insensitivity of the remark.
“Tell me, Sir Hugh,” interrupted Cecilia, “do you dance?”
“Well,” he laughed, surprised at the change in topic, “I do, when I must, but it is not the sport at which I excel.”
“Hugh is an excellent archer,” beamed Ellen, unable to contain herself.
“Is that so?” Cecilia raised her brows.
“We witnessed his skill at Hampton Court,” Thomasin added. “The queen was most impressed.”
The Marwood carriage rumbled round the side of the house, pulled by the four familiar grey horses.
“Here we are,” announced Thomasin’s father, “all set and ready to go.”
“I regret that you must leave so soon,” said Hugh. “I cannot persuade you to remain a day or two longer?”
The women looked at Sir Richard expectantly.
“Nothing would give me greater pleasure, Sir Hugh, I assure you, but I am bound to the service of my brother-in-law, with whom I have promised to meet in two days’ time.”
“Then you must come again and stay longer,” said Hugh, smiling at Ellen.
“Thank you, we certainly shall,” said Lady Elizabeth quickly.
“Your journey should not be too arduous now that the rain has ceased. I have spoken with your coachman regarding the best possible route, suggesting that you avoid the road through the ford, as it will likely be wet and rutted.”
“You are most thoughtful,” smiled Lady Elizabeth, advancing towards the door. “The perfect host. Thank you again for your wonderful hospitality.”
Ellen was the last to climb into the carriage. Thomasin noticed Hugh walk her round the back to the other side, in order to gain a few extra minutes alone.
“Where is Ellen?” demanded Lady Elizabeth, wedged into her corner. “What is taking her so long?”
“Have a little patience,” said her husband, gently. “She is coming, and London is not going anywhere.”
The pair appeared on the other side, and Hugh handed Ellen into the carriage, both full of smiles.
“There, at last!” Lady Elizabeth pronounced. “Are we ready?”
Hugh stood back as the driver cracked his whip, pulling the coach away from Raycroft Court. An unexpected hope arose in Thomasin that it would not be for the last time.
The carriage bore them away down the leafy Sussex lanes, back through the village and now north again in the direction of London. Thomasin’s mother closed her eyes, trying to sleep, and Ellen retreated into her mind, to prolong her happiness for a little longer. Thomasin looked out of the window as much as she could, keen to see the passing world in all its variety.
They had not been travelling for a half hour when the first drops of rain began to patter on the carriage roof.
“Not again,” grumbled Sir Richard. “Let’s hope it’s just a passing shower.”
But as the horses proceeded, the skies darkened and threatened to drive the drops down harder.
“Pull up the window shutters, quickly,” he insisted, plunging them into darkness inside.
“Oh no, Father, that’s intolerable,” Thomasin objected at once. “We cannot travel like that, in complete darkness.”
