The carriages bounced along the woodland path, their wheels kicking up dust and pebbles as they went. In the lead coach sat Lord Vincent Goddard, the fourth Viscount of Hasterley, and his new wife, Corrine. They had only been married a year, and first met in Paris while Vincent had been on holiday with his daughters.
Corrine was his second wife. His first wife, Charlotte, died whilst giving birth to their second daughter, Emily, nine years earlier.
They were returning to Hasterley after the death of Vincent’s father, so that Vincent could take up his seat as the new Viscount. His father’s death had come about somewhat suddenly and by the time word reached him in Paris, it was too late for Vincent to return in time for the funeral.
Both his daughters were particularly upset at the death
