Page 25 of Scandal at Greystone Manor

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The funeral had been attended by almost the whole male population of the village and distant relatives and friends of the Wyndham family came from far and wide, including Drew. Although it was not usual for ladies to attend funerals, but to wait at home for the menfolk to return, Lady Wyndham had insisted on being present at the interment of her husband. She had been dry-eyed throughout and regally upright in her widow’s weeds. She had maintained the stance throughout the service and even afterwards when everyone gathered for refreshments in the long gallery at Broadacres. Helped to a seat by Mark, she sat accepting condolences and listening to the mourners recounting tales of what Lord Wyndham had said and done, some of which raised a wry smile. Mark was here, there and everywhere, being the perfect host, but Jane could see the strain in his eyes. To be suddenly catapulted into his inheritance years before he expected it must be a daunting prospect for him.

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One by one the mourners began to leave until only the family and servants remained for the reading of the will. Mark caught Jane as she was preparing to leave with the rest of her family. ‘Stay, Jane,’ he said. The look of dismay on Isabel’s face made him add, ‘And you, too, Isabel.’ He turned to Sir Edward. ‘I will see them safely home afterwards, Sir Edward.’

Leaving their parents, Sophie and Teddy to go home in the family coach, the girls took seats near Mark and Lady Wyndham as the lawyer cleared his throat to begin. There was nothing remarkable in the will. There were bequests to all the servants commensurate with their status, small bequests to nephews and nieces, a generous allowance for his widow and three thousand pounds to Jane to use for her orphans. The amount made her gasp. His lordship had promised a donation, but she had never dreamed it would be so much. It made her realise that she would have to go ahead with it; there could be no backing out now. Mark, who had been standing by his mother’s chair, bent and whispered in her ear. ‘I will match that, Jane. You shall have your orphanage.’

The lawyer was coming to the end. ‘Finally, to my beloved son, Mark, I leave the estate of Broadacres and all its lands and holdings, the London house in South Audley Street, the overseas investments and the residue of monies after all other bequests have been fulfilled.’ He looked round at his audience, but, as no one had any comments, he gathered his papers up and prepared to leave.

Some of the relatives, who had come a distance and would be staying at Broadacres overnight, went to their rooms to rest and change for dinner and those living locally took their leave of Lady Wyndham and Mark, leaving only Jane and Isabel.

‘Drew, will you be so kind as to escort the ladies home?’ Mark asked. ‘I must stay with my mother and my guests.’

‘It is not in the least necessary,’ Jane said. ‘It is a fine day and we can easily walk.’

‘Then I shall walk with you,’ Drew said. ‘I am staying at the Fox and Hounds. The Manor is not so very far out of my way.’

‘Oh, thank you, sir,’ Isabel said before Jane could protest again. ‘I, for one, shall feel more at ease with an escort.’

This was a strange statement from one who was accustomed to walking about the village with only Jane or Bessie as a companion. Jane looked sharply at her, but did not comment. With Drew between them they set off. No one spoke as they made their way down the drive and out of the huge iron gates on to the road to the village.

‘It has been a sad day,’ Jane said. ‘We were all very fond of Lord Wyndham. Her ladyship stood up to the occasion very well, don’t you think, Mr Ashton?’

‘Indeed, yes. She showed enviable stoicism, but underneath I am sure she was suffering. They were so devoted, an example of what a marriage should be.’

‘Yes, it is a pity all marriages are not like that,’ Jane said. ‘But I suppose it is down to finding your soulmate, someone you wish to spend the rest of your life with. So often marriage becomes a matter of convenience. Husband and wife lead almost separate lives, each with their own interests and circle of friends.’

‘Unfortunately that happens all too often’ he said.

‘You have never been married?’ Isabel queried.

‘No.’ He laughed. ‘I never found my soulmate. I thought I had once, but it was not to be.’

‘Why not?’

Jane held her breath for his answer, praying he would not mention her name. He looked at her and smiled. ‘We were both too young, too immature and I had yet to make my way in the world.’ He laughed suddenly. ‘Since then I have been too busy making my fortune to think of marrying.’

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