‘If you can, then so can I. You have your wish, Evelyn. I will divorce you and give you custody of Nicholas in exchangefor your silence . . . and continued friendship. But I have one condition.’
Evelyn’s heart skipped a beat. ‘What is it?’
‘That you break the news to your parents.’
Chapter Twenty-Six
Evelyn was informed by the butler that her parents were taking tea in the Rose Garden. She chose to delay the inevitable by meandering through the other gardens for one last time as she had no doubt that what she was about to tell them would mean they would not wish her to visit again.
It had been several years since she had entered the gardens. Her visits to Carrack House in recent years had been conducted either on the great lawn or in the house itself. The last time she had seen the orangery was shortly before her failed attempt to elope. The tall elegant building was missing Timmins’ proficient management. It was empty of orange trees, as an unchecked disease had ravaged the collection several years before. Even the woodwork required a fresh coat of paint.
The Italian and French Gardens had fared better. Drake had worked in them all, his tender care and management bringing life and freshness to the designs. She dipped her fingers in the fountain as she passed, fondly remembering the times she had watched him work. However, it was the maze that brought Drake’s presence vividly to life. She could see him now, as a young lad, waiting for her to step inside the tall green hedges and into his arms. Evelyn smiled and walked on.
The Fern Garden was next. Amongst the graves was Duchess’s. She hadn’t told Drake that Duchess had died or what had become of her kittens while he was away as a journeyman. They had so much to tell each other, but at least now they had the rest of their lives to share it.
Evelyn was pleased to discover that Lady May’s Garden remained unchanged. It had always been her favourite. She felt tempted to climb the lion for one last time and look out towards the country parkland to see its ancient trees where, in the shadow of an ancient ash, Drake had told her he loved her.She did not have time to visit the White Tower where they had secretly met. She wondered if other lovers would meet there in the future.
Her parents’ voices interrupted her memories and reminded her why she had come. She left Lady May’s Garden and approached the Rose Garden. This is where I first saw Drake, she thought, this is where it all began.
Rose fragrance filled the air. Her parents sat at a table covered in white linen and laid with tea and cake. She was not surprised to see they had company. Doctor Birch was with them — as he always seemed to be.
Her mother was the first to greet her. ‘Evelyn,’ she cried. ‘What a surprise.’ Her smile faded as her gaze lifted to her daughter’s hair. ‘Where is your hat and parasol, Evelyn? The sun is strong today.’
‘I am not stopping long, Mother.’
‘Even so,’ insisted her mother, ‘one cannot be too—’
‘I do not want to wear a hat or carry a parasol,’ interrupted Evelyn. Her curt response caused her mother to set down her cup and her father to look at her. There was no point in wasting time. ‘I have come here to tell you that Mawgan and I are getting a divorce.’
At first no one spoke or moved. They all looked at her dumbly as if she had spoken in a foreign tongue. It was Doctor Birch who spoke first.
‘On what grounds?’
‘Adultery.’
Her father finally found his voice. ‘That is no reason. So Mawgan has been indiscreet. He is young and inquisitive. He is not the first husband to seek comfort elsewhere and will not be the last.’ He selected a scone and proceeded to spread strawberry jam on it. ‘Turn a blind eye, girl. I will have a wordwith him to be more careful in the future.’ He lifted the scone to take a bite.
‘Mawgan did not have an affair,’ said Evelyn. ‘It was me.’
The scone hovered at the entrance of her father’s open mouth, before he dropped it onto his plate. ‘What are you saying?’
‘His friend is to be our witness.’
‘What friend?’
‘David Marsden. He is an old university friend of Mawgan’s.’
‘And who is the man you have supposedly had an affair with?’
‘It is not supposedly, Father. I did.’
‘I don’t believe it.’ He frowned. ‘Who is this man? Name the blackguard.’
Evelyn tilted her chin. ‘Drake Vennor.’
Her father abruptly stood, tipping the table in anger as he did so. Tea, plates, cups and saucers, tumbled to the ground. Her mother remained seated, staring up at her.
‘What is the meaning of this?’ roared her father. ‘Have you gone mad?’
