‘I’m not normal, can’t you see that? I destroy everything … I should have died. It should have been me, not my mum … not my mum …’ She sobbed, and Tom placed his hand on her shoulder. This time, she didn’t shrug him off.

‘Don’t ever say that,’ he said softly. He applied gentle pressure, turning her to face him. Her eyes were on a level with the front of his white shirt.

‘Even my brother hates me. He said a man would have to be mad to love me.’

‘Then, your brother’s a fool.’

Tom’s arms were around her, pulling her to him. She should push him away, send him back to the billiard room. She certainly shouldn’t be talking about her family and definitely not about love. She buried her face in his shirt. How easy it was to accept his strength rather than rely on her unsteady legs. He smelled of cologne. Woody and spicy. She could stay smothered by the comfort of his warmth forever.

‘Is this a private conversation, or can anyone join in?’

Lou tensed. Tom pulled away, although his hand stayed on the small of her back. ‘Louisa is feeling unwell,’ he said. He removed his handkerchief from his pocket and pressed it into Lou’s hand.

‘Oh, you poor dear.’ Emma rushed to Lou’s side. ‘Tom, be a sweetheart and leave us alone, won’t you? Us girls don’t need chaps around when we’re feeling under par. And you might arrange for some coffee while you’re at it. Strong and black.’

Lou felt Tom’s hand slip from her back as he left. She tried to object when Emma encouraged her to sit on the sofa, her words sounding like gobbledegook. She didn’t notice anybody enter the room, but a coffee pot and cups appeared. She tried to refuse the cup held to her mouth, but Emma was insistent so she gave in and took a sip of the black liquid. ‘The bitterest pill,’ she grinned, wiping a dribble from her chin with a handkerchief that had somehow found its way into her hand.

Emma forced her to take another mouthful. ‘You are a dark horse, Louisa.’

‘What do you mean?’ Lou slurred. Had Emma read more into Tom’s hug than an act of sympathy? Did she think Lou had designs on him?

‘A suffragette and a drinker,’ Emma smiled. ‘I suppose I should have guessed. You are slightly … unconventional. You intrigue me.’

‘Do I? I don’t know why. But I promise to help you marry Tom, really, I do. It’s important. Very, very important.’

‘I don’t doubt it,’ Emma said. ‘Now, come along and have another sip of this coffee. I confess, I’ve been in your position enough times to know what you need.’

‘Have you?’ Lou laughed and hiccoughed in the same breath. ‘I don’t think so. You see, I’m a traveller. Did you know that? I’m on a journey.’ She put her finger to her lips. ‘But it’s a secret, shhh.’ She tried to focus on Emma’s face. ‘Why have you got four eyes?’