Evelyn let her hand fall and took a step back. ‘Whatever you decide, I will accept. I came here today to let you know that Nicholas’s absence today was not because he did not want to see you again, but because he couldn’t. I didn’t come here to pressure you into doing something you do not wish to do.’
‘You make it sound as if I’ve a choice, but I don’t. It was taken from me when you told me he was ill. Ihaveto seeNicholas. If something should happen to him, I know I will regret it for the rest of my life.’
* * *
Evelyn led Rose out to a waiting car on the other side of the road. The driver immediately started the engine and by the time they reached him, he was already holding the car door open for them to get in. The driver gave a sombre nod in greeting as both women climbed into the back seat.
Evelyn passed her a blanket. ‘Here, take this, it is rather cold travelling by car at this time of night.’ Rose hadn’t noticed the cold but still gratefully accepted the blanket offered to her.
‘Where is he?’ she asked as she tucked it about her legs.
‘At Carrack House, his new home.’ Rose stared at her. ‘It is quite a drive, but the time will fly by. We can talk on the journey. It will help occupy our minds. Worrying about Nicholas will help no one.’
Rose realised she had a point. The car journey would go faster if she was in deep conversation rather than drowning in her own fears for Nicholas’s health.
‘He never mentioned he owned a house.’
‘That does not surprise me. He was in two minds whether to keep it. His grandfather left it to him some months ago and he has only recently been to see it and move in.’ Evelyn tucked her own blanket about her knees. ‘My father and I did not see eye to eye and Nicholas was reluctant to accept the inheritance.’ She sat back in her seat and looked out of the window as the car pulled away. ‘My father never liked the man I fell in love with or understood my drive to improve women’s rights. He was rather old-fashioned in his thinking. Nicholas found his attitude difficult to understand and wanted nothing from him. I told Nicholas that Carrack House was his by birth right and that heshould accept it. Not accepting his new home does not benefit anyone or my fight for women to be treated as equals.’
‘Nicholas said you write articles and speak on the subject.’
‘Yes, under my maiden name of Evelyn Pendragon . . . which upset my father greatly. The Pendragon name has a long established lineage and carries more weight, you see. Besides, I did not want my activities to affect my husband’s profession. He has worked hard to get where he is today and although he is proud of everything I do, I feel he doesn’t deserve to have his contracts blighted because his wife is fighting for a cause that some of his male clients do not believe in.’
‘Your fight is every woman’s fight,’ said Rose without thinking.
The older woman turned to look at her, her eyebrows raised in interest.
‘I often say that at my talks. Have you been to one of my presentations?’
‘No, but I think I may have read one of your articles in the newspaper before the war. When Nicholas spoke of you I did not make the connection.’
‘I’m impressed that you still remember it.’
‘At the time I found it very inspiring.’
‘But not now?’
‘Now, I feel guilty that I’ve done nothing to help the cause myself since reading it.’
‘Nicholas tells me you run the tea shop by yourself. I think that is very commendable.’
Rose thought of her empty shop. ‘My brother rented it before he went to war. I took it over until he was able to return, but he died very soon after volunteering to fight. My mother wanted me to continue running it. I think she still hoped he would walk in through the door.’
‘But you run it successfully and you are a woman. That is something to be proud of.’
Rose had never really thought of herself as running a successful business before. She did not seek it — life just happened to her and she accepted whatever it threw in her path.
Evelyn patted her knee. ‘You should feel proud of yourself.’
Rose felt her cheeks burn with the other woman’s praise. Sam used to say she was like a frightened mouse. Maybe she wasn’t such a mouse after all. She had also helped with the war effort by knitting socks, mitts and balaclavas for the comfort packages sent out to the troops.
‘Women who lead by example are just as important as those who chain themselves to railings.’
They fell into a companionable silence as the flickering street gas lights receded into the distance. Silhouettes of sprouting, coppiced sycamore and ash laced the darkening sky as the noisy car travelled at a steady speed through the narrow roads of Cornwall. Eventually the engine’s roar quietened and Rose realised they were turning into a grand driveway, guarded by two dark shadows on stone plinths.
‘They are lions, commissioned to represent two warring brothers,’ explained Evelyn as they drove by them. ‘A fine welcome, don’t you think?’ she added with a sad smile.
The drive leading up to the main house was long and straight, with tall, leafless trees towering over them to form a wooden guard of honour above their heads.
