Chapter 48
48
SETH TANNER. A WORLD AWAY…
Sir Hugo Fairchild could be a demanding master but he was a fair man. When Annie’s body had finally been recovered and the news broke that the daughter of the world-famous author Jasper Davenport was engaged to a man now suspected of a historic murder, the newspapers went wild. Journalists besieged the manor but Sir Hugo looked after his own. He even took the time to speak to Seth personally, acknowledging how trying the whole episode must have been. He gave his undergardener leave to attend the trial and allowed him to stay in Norwich for the week to save him undertaking the long journey every day.
Being at court, looking at Dunn’s indifferent face and smug expression, was infuriating, and equally tough on the Davenports. Seth got glimpses of Olivia across the courtroom and in the corridors. She looked pale and ill, and he wondered at her parents for letting her attend once she’d given her testimony. But then he knew she would not shy away from this, regardless of society’s expectations.
On the final day of the trial, he realised it was his last opportunity to speak to her before she returned to Suffolk. Who knew when, or even if, she would ever return to Merriford Lode. With all its horrific associations, she might choose never to head to Norfolk again.
‘I understand that you’re wary of me, miss, but you must appreciate that we have this connection now, however unfortunate. Your fiancé and my sweetheart were known to each other.’
He spoke to her in the corridor, pulling her to one side, and anxiously twisting his cap in his hands.
‘Is this what it has been about the whole time?’ she asked, her eyes narrowed. ‘Did you know that Mr Dunn was acquainted with Miss Taylor? Were your overtures to me in some way connected?’
‘Course not, miss. What are you even suggesting? That because he stole my girl, I can claim his?’
‘Is that not your thinking?’ she said. ‘Your bewildering attentions might make more sense.’
Seth shook his head. ‘Then you really don’t know me at all.’
‘No, I don’t, and that’s rather my point. Please forgive me, Mr Tanner. I should not have entertained you when you came to Windy Acres. I fear it’s given you false hope, particularly given the turn of events, when all I intended was friendship. This whole episode has been overwhelming and I would prefer that you didn’t try to contact me again.’
He was crushed by her words, despite her kindly tone, and nodded.
‘I understand and am sorry if I made you feel uncomfortable.’ He turned to go but hesitated and swung back to face her. ‘I appreciate I have no right to ask this, but please promise that you’ll remember the young girl you once were – so full of courage and daring. If you choose not to marry, then I wish you all the best, but it’ll be a mighty shame if no one gets to share their life with such a spirited young woman. Don’t let go of them dreams you once had just because one man wanted to marry you for your money and not your soul. Write the books. Go on the travels. Live the most fabulous life.’
She frowned at first, but then nodded, and he walked away, carrying the knowledge that he’d probably never see her again.
Because Seth had lied to Olivia through the wall. Miss Davenport would never be his. He’d been foolish to think he stood a chance with her, but hearing that Tanner had admitted his feelings, he couldn’t bring himself to stand in the way of their happy ending.
And he knew that Olivia would never let him go unless she thought he’d also found his.
He was a broken-hearted man but also remembered the relentlessly chirpy voice of Princess Cordelia through the wall all those years ago, and would instead throw everything into his career. Seth Tanner would become a figure of note in the horticultural world. In fact, who knew what he might achieve, because he would impose no limits on himself.
The sky, after all, went on forever.