‘Somewhat,’ Lou said. She understood that entailment meant an inheritance had to remain intact to pass on to an heir. But what this had to do with her, she had no clue.

Emma made a play of pointing out Pan’s exquisitely carved fingernails. ‘My father has made it clear that when I marry, he’ll send me packing with a hefty dowry. Old-fashioned, but that’s Daddy all over for you. And I know from Lady Mandeville that you are in on our little … arrangement. If it comes off, Hill House’s money worries will be over. Sir Charles could hardly refuse a helping hand from his new daughter-in-law, now could he?’

Lou couldn’t speak. Was this marriage being plotted behind Tom’s back some kind of business transaction? Was he being auctioned off to swell the family coffers? ‘You do feel something for him, don’t you? For Tom? It isn’t all about money, is it?’

‘I don’t give two figs for money,’ Emma said, her eyes wide. ‘I’d never marry for something as vulgar as cash.’ She took hold of Lou’s hand and practically dragged her up the hall. She stopped before Tom’s portrait. ‘I defy any woman to look at that man and not feel something.’

Lou dipped her eyes to the floor.

‘I have adored him since we were children.’ Emma’s voice took on a softer tone when she said, ‘I can pinpoint the precise moment. Tom was fourteen, I was nine. He hardly knew I existed. He was home from school for the summer holidays and spent almost every day running amok in the grounds of Caxton Hall with George. They were as thick as thieves then. I remember it so well because it was the year that my darling kitten, Sissy, went missing. Tom dropped everything and spent hours scouring the house and grounds, helping me look for her. George was furious. He wanted Tom to go fishing with him.’

Emma’s voice drifted away as she gazed up at the portrait. ‘I’ve never forgotten how Tom comforted me when I cried, promising to buy me another kitten one day. He was so kind, so gentle, so gallant … Have you noticed that when he looks at you, he seems to be looking inside you? Sort of rummaging around in your thoughts?’ She turned to Lou. ‘And there’s my problem. You and I both know that men like Tom don’t marry women whose lives are played out in the pages of Tatler. Which is where you come in.’

‘Me?’

‘He clearly respects your opinion, so I need you to plead my case. I need you to show him that I’m a serious person, that the person filling the gossip columns isn’t the real Emma Caxton. If I miss the chance to convince him this week, it might be months, years even, before I get another opportunity. Hill House can’t wait that long. I can’t wait that long.’

‘Does your brother approve of Tom?’ Lou asked, surprising even herself. Why was she trying to put obstacles in Emma’s path? Why couldn’t she just say, yes, she would be happy to help?