‘Say hello to Great-Great-Grandfather Thomas Mandeville,’ Captain Mandeville said. The spark of mischief in his eyes reminded Lou of the spark she had seen the day before when he bounced Albert up and down on his shoulders. He turned to the side and stuck out his jaw. ‘Do you think I inherited his chin?’

Lou grinned. Should she …? Why not? ‘I’m sure I’ve seen a better likeness somewhere else … Oh, yes, now I remember. There’s a painting down in the hall, below the stairs, which you left off your tour. It’s of a cavalry officer on a horse. He looks a bit haughty and has a large nose and –’

‘Miss Arnold!’ Captain Mandeville interrupted, his eyes gleaming. ‘You do know that teasing your tour guide attracts a forfeit of an extra guinea, don’t you? Remind me to add it to your final bill.’ His smile bowed to a frown. ‘It’s truly dreadful, though, isn’t it? I can’t believe I let my mother talk me into posing for that god-awful portrait. If I had my way, I’d chuck the abomination up into the attic. I ask you, who wants to look at my face every day?’

Lou laughed, lost in the banter with Captain Mandeville. In the space of a single sentence, he was able to turn from faux-haughtiness to self-deprecating humour. His face was open, expressive, with fine lines around the eyes. It was a friendly face. When he touched the tip of his nose and asked whether it really was so big, a quite unexpected sinking sensation hit Lou in the pit of her stomach. She lost her footing and fell against the wall.

Captain Mandeville stepped towards her, blocking the top of the stairs. ‘Are you all right? Shall I call for a glass of water?’

‘It’s nothing. Really ...’ She could have blamed the fainting spell on her tight corset, but thought better of bringing up the subject of her underwear.

‘Is it your mother?’ Captain Mandeville asked awkwardly. ‘I hope you don’t mind, but Aunt Leo told me. I’m sorry if anything I said …’

‘It’s not you. It’s just ... sometimes, when I’m enjoying myself, I forget. And then I remember again. Sorry, I’m not making any sense.’ How could she even begin to explain that the sudden pang of sadness which had knocked the wind from her, had more to do with his future than her own recent past?

‘Let’s get out of here,’ Captain Mandeville said. ‘I don’t know how you women stand to be cooped up inside for so long. Fresh air is just the tonic you need.’

Lou let Captain Mandeville take her by the elbow and guide her down the stairs. He opened the front door, and an icy chill penetrated the enclosed space of the vestibule.

‘I’ll send for Bainbridge to bring you a coat?’ he said.

‘No. Thank you,’ she said. She wanted to feel the ice bite her cheeks, let the cold freeze the thoughts in her head.