Evelyn had already reached the gravel path when she first heard her mother call her name. At first she ignored her, unwilling to listen to her mother’s scolding. However, the pleading in her voice when she called her name again, made her stop and turn to face her.
‘I will not change my mind, Mother,’ she said as her mother approached. ‘I love Drake and I want to spend the rest of my life with him. You cannot persuade me otherwise.’ Evelyn braced herself. She saw that her mother was slightly breathless and her hat a little askew, but she would not soften towards her.
‘I know,’ said her mother, coming to a halt.
Evelyn felt a sense of unease sweep over her as her mother straightened her hat and looked at her. Her mother looked odd.There was a flush to her cheeks and a light in her eye that she had not seen before. This woman was not like her mother at all.
‘What is it you want to say, Mother? That you are disappointed in me?’
‘No.’ Her mother heaved a sigh. ‘That I envy you.’
Was this a trick to persuade her to change her mind? ‘I don’t understand,’ said Evelyn warily.
‘You are far braver than I. I have spent my life being afraid,’ said Lady Pendragon. ‘Do you know why I married your father?’ Her mother did not wait for a reply. ‘I was afraid I would remain a spinster. Many of my friends were already married and I was led to believe that marriage or caring for my aging parents were my only options. Your father had not long been widowed and was keen to take a wife. He was wealthy, titled and my father approved of him, so when he asked, I accepted. It was not a love match, but it was acceptable to me as I was afraid I would not receive another proposal.’ She stepped into the shadow of a tree to seek shelter from the warmth of the sun. Evelyn followed her.
‘It was my duty to be a good wife and mother. I did my best to fulfil the role and prepare my children for adulthood. I have not been perfect, but I did what I thought was best.’ She reached out to touch Evelyn’s cheek. ‘I tried to mould you into a young lady,’ her mother’s eyes strayed to her hair, ‘but you were always losing your ribbons and not sitting still.’ She let her hand fall and smiled. ‘And being quiet in chapel seemed beyond you. The number of times I had to scold you not to turn and look at the staff. You were so inquisitive . . . so full of energy. The more I tried, the more you rebelled. I couldn’t understand where we were going wrong.’
‘I disappointed you.’
‘No! I was never disappointed in you. I was afraid for you. There is that word again . . . afraid. I feel I have spent my whole life being afraid.’ Uncharacteristically, her mother ignored thelichen that might spoil her dress and leaned against the trunk of the tree. ‘When I discovered Nicholas was so fragile, I had to be strong to protect him. Your father was no good. It was me who had all the responsibility of when to call the doctor and to ensure he had his medicine. I felt on constant guard for any deterioration. I was always in fear that he could die at any moment and it would be my fault. It was a heavy burden, but not as heavy as the burden a mother carries when she loses a child. My children were all I have, but I am losing them one by one.’
‘You do not have to lose me. And you still have Father.’ Her mother did not reply. ‘You do not have to be afraid for me, Mother.’
‘Is he kind to you?’
‘Drake?’ Evelyn nodded. ‘Yes, the kindest.’
‘Do you love him?’
‘With every fibre of my body.’
‘And Mawgan has agreed to this?’
‘At first he was fearful of what others might say. But now he is as eager as I am. I think we will become closer. We will no longer have to live the lie we have had to endure these past few years.’
‘And Nicholas?’
‘He is well. Drake will be a wonderful father to him. He does not wish to force his new role upon Nicholas and will take all the time Nicholas needs to build their new relationship. He understands that Nicholas will experience a lot of changes in his life and he wants to help him through it, not make the adjustment worse.’
‘He sounds an understanding man.’
‘He is.’
‘And can he support you financially?’
Evelyn smiled. Her mother was meaning well by asking such a question. ‘Yes he can.’
‘Then I can only wish you both well. You are far stronger than we believed you to be. And far braver.’
Her mother moved towards her and for a moment Evelyn thought she was going to hug her, but she should have known better. It was not her mother’s way. Instead her mother placed a rather chaste, awkward kiss on her cheek.
‘I hope you will still visit and bring Nicholas with you, but perhaps we should leave it until after you are remarried. Your father will have had some time to calm down and you will be Mrs Vennor by then, rather than a divorcee.’
Evelyn did not argue. Her mother was offering an olive branch in the best way she knew how.
Her mother looked towards Carrack House. ‘You accused Doctor Birch of malpractice. Is it true?’
‘Yes.’
