‘Are you pleased, Miss?’

‘Pleased? I’m … speechless. You’ve performed a miracle.’

‘I don’t know about that.’ Sally smiled modestly.

Lou thought for a moment. If she was going to spend time in this dream world, she might need an ally to help her navigate her way through. ‘Can I confide something in you, Sally?’

‘Of course, Miss.’

‘It’s just … well, you see, I’m normal. That’s to say, I’m only a guest here by some strange stroke of luck.’

‘Because you’re a friend of Mrs Hart’s acquaintance in India?’

‘Yes, something like that. But since I’m not the lady everybody seems to think I am, I may need some help, especially in how to behave. You seem to know exactly what to do.’

Sally’s cheeks flushed. ‘Well, it is my job to look after you while you’re a guest, not only to dress you.’ She paused, and Lou could practically hear the cogs in her brain whirring. ‘If it’s not too forward, Miss, may I say something else? It’s just that you’ve nothing to be ashamed of. You’d give any of the grand ladies who have stayed at Hill House a run for their money.’

The sound of a gong rang throughout the house. Sally smoothed down the skirt of Lou’s dress. ‘You’d best go down now, Miss. Lady Mandeville doesn’t like latecomers. The family assemble in the drawing room, which is the next door along from the morning room.’

6

Lou paused outside the door to the drawing room. She took a deep breath – not easy in the bone-crushing corset – and stepped inside the dark panelled room.

‘My dear Louisa.’ Mrs Hart rose from a chair beside the fire. ‘How lovely to see you looking so refreshed. You know Charlotte, but may I introduce you to my brother’s wife, Lady Mandeville.’

The woman seated on the sofa beside Charlotte rose. She had the same wide eyes as her daughter, and although her face had lost the plumpness of youth, she was handsomely beautiful. Her fair hair was flashed with soft grey, and she wore a dignified dress in a dark blue lace. She took hold of Lou’s hand and shook it warmly.

‘Welcome to our home, Miss Arnold. My husband’s sister has told me something of the unhappy circumstances that have brought you here. I hope that, in some small way, we can provide a pleasant distraction.’

‘Thank you, your Ladyship,’ Lou said. ‘I’m very grateful to you for letting me stay.’

‘How sweet. Please, Miss Arnold, won’t you walk into dinner with me.’

A footman opened a connecting door for them to pass through. The long table in the centre of the next room was set for five with silver and crystal and a vase of beautiful purple flowers in the centre. Lady Mandeville sat at one end with Charlotte beside her. Lou was shown to the seat beside Charlotte with Mrs Hart opposite. An empty place remained beside Mrs Hart.

‘My son, Edward, will join us,’ Lady Mandeville said, ‘just as soon as he returns from town. He knows my feelings on tardiness, but recently…’ She glanced at the footman who was pouring wine. ‘Well, he has been busy, and sometimes forgets.’