Evander smoked his cheroot and nodded to himself as if carrying on a conversation. Only no one was interested in what he had to say. He pulled out a hip flask and took a deep draught of cheap brandy.

He laughed softly to himself. Liselle! That bitch had named her for his mama.

Chapter Thirty-five

Chapter Thirty-five

It was two months since the twins had taken over the East End of London. Briony had adjusted to the fact that the boys were now men, that she had very little say in what they did or, worse still, how they did it. Instead, she threw herself into the re-opening of Berwick Manor. The Manor represented a lot to her, it was the pinnacle of her achievements. She had had just about everyone who was anyone in there, and wanted it like that once more. She wanted it lit up like a beacon, with all the old crowd, and some new faces.

As she stood alone looking over the place she felt a tiny thrill of anticipation. The damage wasn’t too bad when you got used to it. Mainly the carpeting and the wall coverings. Most of the original mouldings were still in perfect condition. In the top bedroom, where prominent cabinet ministers had spent many a sleepless night, she found a letter wedged between the windowsill and a walnut dresser. Briony picked it up and glanced at it.

It was for a Flying Officer Byron, from his wife Juliette. She smiled as she read the endearments from her. The longing for her husband’s return home. The little anecdotes about the children. It was a lovely letter written in graceful handwriting by a woman whom Briony visualised as neat in body, mind and home. She hoped that Flying Officer Byron had made it home, she really did.

She sat on the bare mattress, clutching the letter. Trying to imagine what it must be like to love a man like that. To have his children and look after his home and just dedicate your life to that one person and their progeny. It was a strange thing to her, this being married. It was something she couldn’t for the life of her imagine. Bernadette had married her Marcus and overnight she’d turned into a household drudge. Oh, she enjoyed it, Briony knew and respected that. But there was no real reason for it. She had had the girls and now took care of them, Marcus and the home. Bernadette was happy just overseeing her family. Making sure meals were prepared on time, that the house ran smoothly.

Well, Cissy did all that for Briony, and before her Mrs H had done it. If she had had to stagnate in a house just waiting for a man to breeze in and out as it suited him she’d have gone mad. Stark staring mad.