‘I must apologise for my daughter, Miss Arnold. She is rather too inquisitive in nature and often too forward. Traits that I do not encourage.’ Lady Mandeville glanced briefly at Mrs Hart. ‘Charlotte is never satisfied until she knows the business of everybody in the house. But do try to remember, my dear,’ she said, addressing her daughter, ‘that not every person you meet will want to be as candid with you as you would like them to be.’

Charlotte slumped back in her chair. Lady Mandeville gave her a sharp warning to sit up straight; nobody liked a girl with rounded shoulders. ‘Sorry, Louisa,’ Charlotte said. ‘I didn’t mean to be so forward.’ She appeared so deflated.

‘Thank you for your consideration, Lady Mandeville,’ Lou said. ‘But I’d be happy for Charlotte to come to my room any time she likes.’

The frown that had darkened Charlotte’s features turned into a broad smile. She sat forward. ‘I knew you wouldn’t mind, Louisa. But, of course, Mama is right, I can’t deny that I like to know what makes people think and behave as they do. Have you read any books on the subject of psychology? It’s fascinating. Take Edward, for example. I should like to know what caused him to get into such an appalling state yesterday that he made a spectacle of himself and sits here now like a ghost in—’

‘It is as well to leave science that you do not fully understand alone,’ Mrs Hart said flatly. ‘Meddling in a discipline with only half-formed theories leads to incorrect and unsubstantiated conclusions.’

But as determined as Mrs Hart seemed to be to quiet her niece, Charlotte seemed just as determined to press on. She left the table and helped herself to a plate of food from the silver warmers on the sideboard. On her way back to the table, she stepped closer to Edward than was necessary.

‘Mmm, kippers, my favourite.’ She paused to waft the fishy scent towards her nose, breathing in deeply. Edward threw back his chair so that Charlotte had to jump out of his way. He grabbed a napkin and held it to his mouth.

‘If you’ll excuse me,’ he said, rushing for the door.

‘Will you be joining us at church?’ Charlotte called after him. But it was too late; he was already gone.

Charlotte took her seat and began to flake the flesh from the fish’s bones.

‘Really, Charlotte,’ Mrs Hart said. ‘I had thought you old enough and sensible enough to appreciate that there are times when we need those we love to understand what it is like to inhabit our skin. I can see that I was mistaken.’

‘But, Aunt—’

‘Never forget that it takes compassion as well as intelligence to make a fully rounded human being. Now, if you will excuse me, I am going to prepare for church.’

After William closed the door behind Mrs Hart, Lady Mandeville turned to her daughter. ‘Your aunt is right,’ she said. ‘Edward has been punished enough for his behaviour last night. Perhaps he found a dead squirrel out on his walk yesterday. You know how the smallest thing can upset him. So, for the sake of my nerves, please leave him be.’