There were occasions that changed the course of one’s life. Ella’s marriage at fifteen to Francis Fortrose had been one such occasion. His death six years later had been another. When she hurried down to the entrance hall just after midday on a Wednesday, another life-changing moment occurred. A trunk, three portmanteaux, and several valises were littered about. Footmen converged on the luggage, the butler was issuing directions, and in the middle of all the noise and bustle stood Arthur.
A child held Arthur’s hand. He had unruly brown hair and freckles across his nose and huge eyes. Or perhaps his eyes only looked huge because he was gazing around the vestibule in awe.
Arthur spotted her. “Eloïse! Come and meet my great-nephew.”
Ella made her way through the portmanteaux and the footme
