Adrian came to a halt, and took hold of Robert’s arm, a strained expression flashing across his face. ‘Caroline? No, it’s not quite right for me,’ he said, a tenseness in his voice. ‘I like her enormously, and she’s good-looking, smart, modern, all the things a man likes. Yet I hesitate, and feel I should break off with her. Not that there’s been any understanding between us; nothing has ever been voiced.’

‘You’re not in love with her, Addy, is that it?’

‘You’re correct. And by the way, there hasn’t been an affair. I’ve been a perfect gentleman, not made a move in that direction.’ Adrian stared at his friend and added, ‘So you can wipe that smirk off your face, old chap.’

Robert laughed. ‘I believe you. After all, you’re the man with a key to a private place, so the odds were all in your favour if you’d wanted to go in that direction.’

Adrian chuckled with him, and they both walked on to the wood, letting the subject drop.

‘I plan to have four bedrooms, and bathrooms, on the top floor, and two sitting rooms downstairs for general use, along with a small kitchen and scullery, just so their maid or valet can make them a tray of tea or prepare a light supper. I want it to be small but comfortable,’ Robert told him. ‘A kind of lodge.’

‘It doesn’t sound small,’ Adrian muttered.

‘Medium-sized, I suppose,’ Robert replied. ‘Young O’Neill is going to build it for me. He was here yesterday, to show me his drawings. I decided to give him a chance, try him out, and he’s a darned good draughtsman, by the way, unusually talented. He is in partnership with his uncle, and they have taken the job, much to my relief.’

‘When are you going to start on the project?’

‘In about a week, I believe – it’s up to O’Neill and his uncle Patrick Kennedy. They are now in charge. Anyway, do you like this spot?’

‘I do, yes, as long as you don’t put me in the guesthouse,’ Adrian said, his tone jocular.

‘Only if you ask for it, perhaps if you’re with a lady friend,’ Robert teased him back.

‘None around at the moment,’ Adrian answered. ‘At least none I’m bowled over by.’

‘Things can change in the blink of an eye, as I so recently discovered …’ He paused, and then said swiftly, ‘I see my butler, coming out onto the terrace. I think he must be looking for me.’ Without another word, Robert hurried towards the long terrace above the lawns, leaving Adrian to follow. As he rushed forward, he called, ‘Are you looking for me, Camden?’

‘Yes, Your Lordship. A young lady has just arrived and—’

‘Did you show her into a sitting room?’ Robert cut in.