‘They have missed their mama.’ Cassandra moved to the bedside and planted a kiss. ‘Still, we have managed plenty of sport in your absence and, as you now see, all is well. I shall not stay long, but – pray! – do tell me your news. How did you find the Godmersham family?’ Though her curiosity was all for the subject of Sir Edward.

‘They are all well and our time there was as pleasant as ever,’ Mary replied flatly. ‘As for Hatch – it was a joy to see that dear place again, and Fanny – my mother – was exceedingly kind. My father, however …’ A tear dropped on to her cheek. ‘Sad to report, we were alone together for a very short time …’ She spoke through her sobs. ‘No more than ten minutes.’

Cassandra felt utter dismay. All the way into Kent, and for that? She took Mary into her arms and let her weep on her shoulder. ‘Well, it is a beginning at least, is it not? You must try and take hope from it. Reconciliation is, in itself, a profound Christian act.’

Mary bit her lip, took back to the pillow and admitted defeat. ‘I fear we remain at some distance from being reconciled. My father wanted only to report that he still feels the offence of my actions, very deeply indeed.’

‘Even now?’ Cassandra could hardly believe it. ‘More than a whole decade on?’

‘From the way he behaved, you would think it all happened yesterday. The fury, the grief … It did not make for a comfortable interview, to that I can testify. There were moments when the distress became almost too much to bear …’ Again, Mary cried.

That he should put his daughter through such an ordeal, when she had been so lately unwell! Cassandra gathered Mary into her arms again and said, rather archly: ‘I am surprised that he should be so careless as to upset himself when so dangerously ill …’

‘Oh,’ Mary sniffed, ‘he is very much better. Almost himself.’

‘Then is that not a miracle?’ Cassandra raised a brow, pulled back, peered into Mary’s sweet face and thought: But you, my dear, are thoroughly spent.

‘Thank you, Aunt Cass.’ Mary gave a wan smile. ‘You are such a comfort to us in our various dramas. And, pray, do not worry yourself on my account. I now hold every hope that my father and I shall meet again. And something tells me that it will not be long till we do.’

CHAPTER XLII