'Go on, I need to hear the worst. You're doing well, I'm proud of you.'
Rupert sniffed and continued. 'He met us in the Grand Hall, raved incoherently at our mother and then instructed the servants to lock us in the attics. I've no idea why but we were bundled up the stairs and pushed in as if we were of no account.'
Jonathan now chimed in. 'We were given meagre rations, lived like vagabonds for three weeks and then he died. We heard the shot. He killed himself.'
'I climbed out of the window and made my way downstairs. I am now Lord Upminster; they had no option but to follow my orders. I had my family released, our belongings packed, and we fled that place.'
'And your father's funeral? Who arranged that?'
'I don't know, he might well still be lying on the floor in his study. I saw him there, a pistol in his hand. If it becomes known that he died by his own hand then we'll all be in disgrace, my good name will be ruined,' Jonathan said.
'Thank you for telling me, boys, but now try and put it from your mind. I'll take care of everything.'
They looked relieved to have shared this appalling news with him. James changed the subject.
'Why don't you return to the stables and get Piper to show you the horses he thinks will suit you? In a few weeks I'll buy you something better, but not until you're more experienced.'
They needed no further urging and ran off laughing as if they'd not just told him about their father's suicide.
God knows how he'd sort this out, but he'd send Michael to Upminster Hall to arrange the funeral. The man had been dead for more than a week now, hopefully a member of his staff had at least put him in a coffin.
Now he had the full story he could speak to Charlotte. Eloise was a dear girl but needed her own nursemaid, she couldn't be allowed to wander about alone. James thought it likely the girl would never be able to live an independent life, marry, or have a home of her own. He'd willingly keep her safe, make sure at least she was content.
Eventually he located his sister in a little used room on the other side of the house, the windows here faced the woodland not the gardens, but were nonetheless pleasant to sit in.
'Charlotte, where's Eloise?' James asked as soon as he stepped into the room.
Her expression was sullen. 'I've no idea, she does as she pleases, that makes things easier for both of us.'
'That won't do. Your daughter's not safe to be alone, she must be with an adult at all times.'
'Good heavens, James, why the alarm? She's eight years of age, quite old enough to keep herself safe here. What could possibly harm her?'
'She's a simpleton, Charlotte, we both know that. Pretending she's not, isn't going to change things. Where is she now?'
'In the park somewhere. If you came merely to berate me then you may go away. Why don't you go and find her yourself?'
James ground his teeth. He'd not been close to his sister when he was a boy but had hoped now he was an adult they might find more in common. His sister was a difficult woman, but she was family, and it was his responsibility to take care of her and her children now her husband was dead.
'I shall do that. You're an unfeeling mother; you make it very difficult for me to offer my help.'
He didn't wait to hear her reply as he was more concerned about his niece. He met Sofia coming out of the blue room.
'Have you seen Eloise?'
'Don't look so worried, dearest James, she's safe and with Colette. She's taken her to her room to change her clothes as she was wet through, as were your dogs. She said that she fell in and they pulled her out.'
'God's teeth! I told her not to go near the lake and thought at the time that she was capable of understanding my instructions.'
'Such a shame as she's a delightful little girl. She needs her own retinue, but my sister will take care of her until she does.'
'Turnbull said she'd have candidates for us to meet today. Has she said anything to you?'
'No, we only discussed the arrival of my Aunt Jemima who's retired to her room and will rejoin us at dinner. Lucille is now upstairs with Annabel – they seem delighted to be sharing. We'll have to call the seamstress back for my aunt and my sister.'
'Speak to Smithers, he's got to go into Bath tomorrow to collect some legal documents for me to sign.'
'We need to talk, join me in the blue room before you rush off again.' This time she half-closed the door. 'Did you have the opportunity to speak to your sister about her moving to your empty property in Bath?'
