The morning was dull and overcast, threatening rain. It seemed a fitting accompaniment for the sombre mood of a funeral.
Vincent had sent a rider out early that day to enquire from Father James at what time he intended to conduct Jasper’s service. It seemed odd to him as he relayed his instructions that he could not remember Jasper’s last name.
All servants at Mandrake were addressed by their surnames, but ever since Emily had insisted on learning Jasper’s Christian name, everyone else had just followed suit, and from that moment on he was simply known as Jasper.
Everyone, especially after the previous day, had expected the little girl to be inconsolable at the prospect of saying goodbye to her departed friend. In fact, Corinne had even suggested to Vincent that perhaps it would be less
