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Charlotte’s face was full of concern. ‘But I am so pleased. She is familiar to me. How could I wish for a better mother? I have Mama Mildmay and I now have Flora Lacey.’ Her face broke into a smile and she reached to take Mrs Priddy’s hand and Leonora’s. ‘Has she been happy, do you know?’

‘She says she’s married to a good man, a gardener. You must see her and ask her yourself.’

Charlotte appeared overflowing with feeling. ‘Perhaps they will come and live with me and George when we marry? He has so many planting schemes.’

Leonora laughed with delight. ‘Has he asked you yet?’

‘No, but he will. I know he will. And I will say yes!’ Charlotte was ecstatic. ‘I feel the sun, moon and the stars have all aligned to pour their benison down on me. How could I be any happier?’ They hauled Nanny P to her feet so that they could all embrace, laughing with the joy of it. ‘And I’m going to go to Beau Beacham’s party with him as his betrothed!’

Leonora smiled. ‘Mr Lockwood inadvertently has pleased his exacting stepfather, no doubt, by winning the hand of an heiress.’

Charlotte was suddenly serious. ‘Do you think my mother would mind living in the same village as Lord Rokeby?’

‘It was a different century and they were different people, children playing at life and getting burnt. I don’t think it will matter to either of them, especially as she seems happy with Mr Lacey.’ Leonora swung Charlotte around. ‘Oh, what pleasure this gives me! Lottie, you have found your perfect match and we can all go home! I’m longing for home, as a wave longs for the shore.’

Charlotte giggled, ‘And as Mr Lockwood longs for Hasterleigh too. He hates Town life and has only endured it until he found someone to love.’ She twirled with joy at knowing that the someone he loved was her. ‘How strange, though. We travel all the way to London only to discover that everything we need for happiness is to be found at home.’ She hugged Leonora. ‘You made all the difference in my passage from green country girl to someone happy to be married, able to run my own household and take my place in Society.’ Tears had filled her eyes with the thought of how much richer her life had become with a father and mother alongside the love of the Mildmays. ‘And do you really mean it when you say that you’ve always wanted it to be me to take your place at the Manor? Your family home?’

‘Of course, you goose. Who could be better? And I can come and plague you every day, as all your life you’ve done to me!’

Charlotte looked from Leonora to Mrs Priddy and said, ‘You don’t need to stay any longer. If you and Nanny P want to leave, I’ll travel down with Mr Lockwood once we are betrothed.’

They looked up to see Lady Bucklebury at the door, leaning heavily on her stick and supported by her maid. Leonora and Charlotte jumped up. Leonora came forward. ‘Lady Bucklebury, we thought you were resting. Which is the most comfortable chair for you?’

‘That higher one by the fire will do well.’ Her bird-like frame looked frail as she hobbled across the room.

‘I’m sorry Grandmama, if we had known you were no longer resting, we could have joined you in the drawing room and saved you the stairs.’ Charlotte looked concerned.

‘Oh, don’t worry yourself, my dear. It’s quite good for me to try the stairs occasionally. I’ve come to let you know, Charlotte, that Alistair has told me everything. What a naughty boy he was! But I’m glad he has become steadier with age and experience. Are you happy to have him as a father?’

Lady Bucklebury had always been forthright, and Charlotte flew to her side and knelt so their heads were on the same level. ‘I am very happy to have Lord Rokeby as my father. I’m particularly pleased that my father is alive. I felt cheated by fate when I thought he was dead before I could know him.’

Lady Bucklebury patted her arm. ‘Well that is a good thing then.’ She cast a piercing gaze at Leonora who stood before her. ‘Alistair also said I was to give every assistance to you, Miss Appleby, should you need it.’

‘It would be very kind if you could lend Mrs Priddy and me your coach to convey us home in the next day or so. Charlotte seems happy for us to leave her in your and Mr Lockwood’s care.’

‘Of course.’ The old lady’s face became thoughtful and with a knowing expression, she added, ‘If you wished to return home tomorrow, you could join Lord Rokeby in his carriage, much finer and more comfortable than any I could offer. He told me he is heading for Hasterleigh after his usual leisurely breakfast.’

Leonora felt her pulse quicken. She did not even check with Nanny P but said, ‘We would be very grateful for that. But Lady Bucklebury, would your grandson be happy to share his conveyance?’

‘It was he who suggested it.’

Leonora met Mrs Priddy’s bright eyes. ‘Well then, we will be delighted. Lady Bucklebury, I will not forget your generous hospitality.’ She took her hand. ‘Being here under your protection has taught me so much of life and also of myself. Thank you.’

The Countess inclined her head with a smile. ‘I felt rather put upon when Alistair asked me to sponsor Charlotte’s entry into Society, but I have been surprised myself that I’ve much enjoyed it. Having you young women in the house, the sound of music being played, your singing, the laughter, all reminded me of past times. It has been a pleasure, my dear. And to see Mrs Priddy again. Perhaps when you and Charlotte are married, Miss Appleby, I’ll come down to Hasterleigh again for a last visit. It has been so many years.’

12

LOVE ME AS YOU ARE BELOVED BY ME

Leonora settled with Mrs Priddy on the seat opposite Lord Rokeby in his luxurious coach. Beside him was Achille. They were on their way home. The carriage was even more handsome than the one he had lent to convey them to London. The seats were upholstered in navy-blue satin with the Rokeby crest embroidered in black and gold, and matching tasselled blinds hung at the windows. In the midst of such elegance, Lord Rokeby cut a striking figure: his good clothes so carelessly worn, his cravat askew, his dark hair ruffled rather than sleekly pomaded, the leather eye patch harsh against his pallor and his scar unmistakeable in the slanting light. Leonora thought he looked magnificent.

As they headed through the busy London streets, the talk was desultory. Mrs Priddy commented on the fashions of some of the more extreme dandies they saw as they crossed St James’s. Achille’s head poked out the window and caused some consternation to pedestrians who saw him pass. Lord Rokeby watched Nanny P knitting and enquired, ‘Mistress Priddy, that looks a most intricate piece of work; what is it and for whom?’

She twinkled back at him. ‘My lord, it’s an infant’s shawl, I don’t yet know for whom.’ Lord Rokeby lifted an eyebrow. He then turned to Leonora to tell her of his plans to revive the Rokeby estate and prevent the weeds and tares of his unhusbanded acres encroaching on Manor land. Leonora found it hard to meet his gaze as she feared her emotions were so tumultuous they would be written on her face. He looked puzzled by her evasiveness; he settled into the corner and seemed to prepare for sleep. Leonora’s nerves were as taut as an overstretched piano string; there was little chance she could succumb even to drowsiness as the coach swayed like a cradle on its well-oiled springs.

By Hounslow, Mrs Priddy’s head had fallen onto Leonora’s shoulder and she appeared asleep, although Leonora had her suspicions. Achille had also curled up on the fur blanket that covered the floor and closed his eyes. Suddenly alert, Lord Rokeby sat up and in a quiet, urgent voice said, ‘Miss Appleby, I have to know. Does my disfigurement cause you distress? In certain lights it’s very marked.’

Leonora’s eyes flew to his face, her cheeks colouring, appalled that he should think she found anything about him distressing. ‘No, no!’ She so wanted to put out a hand and grasp one of his but was afraid to wake Nanny P. She longed to blurt out, I love everything about you. You are embedded in my heart, have reshaped my world, and altered my aspect to the sun. But instead she said, ‘I barely notice it now, Lord Rokeby,’ in a voice restrained by fear of the feelings surging through her. However, she wanted to prompt him into saying more. ‘Why should it concern you, sir?’