TamzinMillemni:

At the end of the last episode we see that he’s alive so that answers that question. 

Ah, I'm only half way through the last episode, so not seen that bit yet. Thanks for the heads up.  Glad to know he's not dead!

Oh yeah, I think his plan all along was to make sure she could handle the place herself and protect herself. Lure out his enemies and learn who his friends (if he had any) were. Then come back.  I think you're right that S2 might be want he was doing during S1, and then uncle and niece reuniting at the end. 😊