‘Hopefully, but you never know with her. She’s very independent, lives by her own rules.’ Robert sighed and added, ‘I shall go and see my solicitor on Monday and give him the report. Let’s see what he advises.’

A moment later, Turnbull came into the breakfast room, where Robert preferred to have his daytime meals.

The butler was carrying a platter of deep-fried haddock. Behind him was one of the maids, with another tray on which there were dishes of chips and mushy peas, parsley sauce and malt vinegar in a cut-glass bottle.

Turnbull put the tray on the sideboard and asked, ‘Would you like two pieces of fish, Lord Adrian?’

‘Thank you, Turnbull, I would. And I’ll have chips and the peas. But no parsley sauce, thank you. I prefer vinegar.’

‘Very well, Your Lordship.’ Looking across at Robert, he went on, ‘And you will have your usual portion, m’lord?’

‘I will indeed, Turnbull. And please put the parsley sauce on the table with the vinegar. Thank you.’

‘I will, Lord Robert.’

Once the food had been plated and served, Turnbull and the maid left the morning room. Within seconds, the butler returned with two pints of beer and put a tankard in front of each man.

Robert said to Adrian, ‘I know you don’t like wine with fish and chips.’

He thanked Turnbull and picked up his knife and fork. ‘Neither do I.’ He grinned and said, ‘I’ve been looking forward to this meal all week.’

‘Nothing like childhood food,’ Adrian murmured. Now that they were alone, he said, ‘I’ve never seen you like this before. Besotted, I think might best describe your condition.’

‘True, I am smitten. I am going to marry her, Addy.’

‘Do you want the key to the Farm Street house in the meantime?’

‘No, I don’t. I’ve told you that before,’ Robert said.

‘You have. But I also wonder how you’ll manage over the next few months.’

‘I will! And that’s that! I’ve put off going back to Yorkshire for the time being, and I’m staying in town. Listen to me. You’ve known me most of our lives. Once I’ve made a decision, I stick to it. I rarely change my mind.’

‘Enough said, old chap. Don’t get your knickers in a twist. I will not mention the bloody house again.’

‘Thank you,’ Robert muttered, and concentrated on the food.

The two friends fell silent as they ate, both sinking down into their own thoughts.

Adrian’s mind had suddenly leaped to a cemetery in Kent, where he intended to go in the coming week. Annabel, he thought, my beloved Annabel. He needed to go and visit her grave. How he had loved her. To utter distraction, even though she had been married.