‘I hope it won’t be too long before I join him,’ said Virginia, ‘because, like Queen Victoria, I will mourn my dear husband until the day I die.’ The butler and two footmen appeared and began to unload the car. ‘I’ve put you in your old room for the time being,’ said Virginia. ‘But of course I will move out to the Dower House, just as soon as my dear Perry has been buried.’
‘There’s no hurry,’ said Clarence. ‘I’ll be returning to my regiment after the funeral, and in any case we’re going to have to rely on you to keep things ticking over in my absence.’
‘I’ll be happy to do whatever I can. Why don’t we discuss what you have in mind once you’ve unpacked and had something to eat?’
The duke was a few minutes late for lunch, and apologized, explaining that several people had telephoned, requesting to see him urgently.
Virginia could only wonder who had called, but satisfied herself with saying, ‘I thought we should hold the funeral on Thursday, but only if that meets with your approval.’
‘I’m happy to abide by your wishes,’ said the duke. ‘Perhaps you could also give some thought to the order of service, and suggest who you think should be invited to the reception afterwards?’
‘I’ve already begun working on a list. I’ll let you have it later today.’
‘Thank you, Virginia. I knew I could rely on you. I have some meetings to attend this afternoon, so I hope you’ll be around when Alice arrives.’
‘Of course. And when are you expecting Camilla and her family?’
‘Later this evening, but as I’ll be in Father’s study—’
‘Your study,’ said Virginia quietly.
‘It may take me a little time to get used to that. Would you be kind enough to let me know when Alice arrives?’
Virginia was working on the list of guests she wanted to attend the private reception following the funeral, as well as those she didn’t, when a taxi drew up outside the castle and Alice stepped out. Once again, she took her place at the top of the steps.
‘Poor Virginia,’ were Alice’s first words as she greeted her. ‘How are you bearing up?’
‘Not well. But everyone’s been so kind and understanding, which has been a great comfort.’
‘Of course they have,’ said Alice. ‘After all, you were his rock and soulmate.’
‘It’s so kind of you to say so,’ said Virginia, as she led Alice up the staircase to the guest bedroom she had chosen for her. ‘I’ll let Clarence know you’re here.’
She strolled downstairs and went into the duke’s study without knocking, to find Clarence deep in conversation with Mr Moxton, the estate manager. Both men immediately stood as she entered.
‘You asked me to let you know when Alice arrived. I’ve put her in the Carlyle Room. I hope you’ll be able to join us for tea in about half an hour.’
‘That may not be possible,’ said the duke, giving her a curt nod, clearly not pleased to have been interrupted, which Virginia found somewhat disconcerting. She left without another word and retreated to the drawing room, where Montgomery, Perry’s old Labrador, sat up and began wagging his tail. She took a seat near the open door, which allowed her to keep an eye on the comings and goings in the corridor outside. She intended to have a word with Clarence about replacing Moxton in the not-too-distant future.
The next person to enter the duke’s study was the butler, who didn’t come out for another forty minutes. He then disappeared below stairs, only to return a few moments later accompanied by the cook, who Virginia couldn’t recall ever seeing on the ground floor.
Another twenty minutes passed before Cook reappeared and scurried back downstairs. Virginia could only wonder what had taken them so long, unless they’d been discussing the menu for the reception, a responsibility she had rather assumed the duke would leave to her.
Virginia was distracted by a loud knock on the front door, but before she could answer it, Lomax appeared and opened the door.
‘Good afternoon, Dr Ainsley,’ he said. ‘His grace is expecting you.’
As they crossed the hall, Moxton came out of the study, shook hands with Dr Ainsley and quickly left the house. Although he couldn’t have missed Virginia standing in the doorway of the drawing room, he made no attempt to acknowledge her. She would get rid of him as soon as the duke returned to his regiment.
Virginia was pleased to see Alice coming down the stairs and hurried out of the drawing room to join her. ‘Shall we go and see your brother?’ she said, without waiting for a reply. ‘I know he’s been looking forward to seeing you,’ she added as she opened the study door and entered without knocking. Once again both men rose.
‘Alice has just come down and I remembered you wanted to see her immediately.’
‘Of course,’ said Clarence, giving his sister a hug. ‘It’s wonderful to see you, my dear.’
‘I thought we might all have tea together in the drawing room.’
‘That’s very thoughtful of you, Virginia,’ said Clarence, ‘but I’d like a few moments alone with my sister, if you don’t mind.’