‘She can tell fortunes,’ Sylvia added. ‘She probably has a crystal ball in her possession.’

‘Sylvia, that’s enough tittle-tattle,’ Sir Michael said firmly. ‘These rumours are spread, whether or not there is any truth in them, simply because Mrs Cottingham has Romany blood somewhere along the line. The world would be a dull place if we were all the same.’

‘Might I speak to Mrs Hardwick in private, Sir Michael?’ Rosalind chose her words carefully. ‘It might seem an unusual request, but there are things that the Farthing family might not wish to be known.’

‘Of course. I was just going to my study and Sylvia has to practise the pianoforte before her next lesson.’

‘Really? Do I have to, Papa? You know I have no talent for music.’

‘It’s an accomplishment you might value one day, Sylvia. Now, please do as I ask.’ Sir Michael walked to the door and opened it, ushering Sylvia out into the hallway. ‘Ah, here is Mrs Hardwick and the refreshments as well. I’ll leave you to talk in private, Rosalind.’

Chapter Sixteen

All the information that Rosalind was able to gather convinced her that Tommy was Bertie’s son. Mrs Hardwick had given a glowing account of Sally Farthing’s character and her sweet nature. The Farthing family, she said, had refused to have anything to do with their daughter in her time of need, but her elder sister, Emily, had stood by her. Rosalind gathered from her chat with Mrs Hardwick that Sally had been well-liked and everyone at Greystone Park was sorry to see her leave. A trip to Exeter with Hester had also confirmed that it was Bertie who had been named as Tommy’s father, even so far as giving his address as Rockwood Castle. Rosalind could only hope that Trimble would not think of checking the parish register, but if Emmie had not mentioned it to him before she was highly unlikely to do so now.

Rosalind finally explained the situation to Piers some weeks later when he came home after an extended business trip to Trevenor. He listened attentively, but to her surprise he did not seem shocked.

‘These things happen, my love,’ he said seriously. ‘Look at Patsy and that Yelland fellow. We had to chase halfway to Gretna Green to bring them back when they attempted to elope.’

Rosalind laughed. ‘Not quite that far, but I see what you mean.’

‘Bertie was a hot-blooded young fellow and it sounds as if Sally was a nice girl. You only have to look at Tommy to tell that he’s a cut above Trimble, and I haven’t even met the man.’

‘He’s a brute and a bully, Piers. He’s tried twice to get into the castle but Gurney and Hudson saw him off. If he discovers that Tommy is Bertie’s son, who knows what he’ll do?’