Tom made to move away.

‘Surely you’ve heard what’s been going on here in your absence,’ George said. ‘That brother of yours, sniffing around the help.’

Tom stopped. His brow creased. Don’t, Lou thought. Don’t let him see you react. Too late.

George grinned. ‘I suppose it was only a matter of time before a Mandeville sank back to the level from where you came. But taking up with a servant.’ He tutted exaggeratedly. ‘Even I didn’t think one of you would stoop quite that low. Oh, sorry, we mustn’t call them servants here, must we? Staff, isn’t that what we say?’

Tom’s fists tightened. It was clearly taking all his willpower to hold back. But his lack of response gave George the chance to press his advantage.

‘Good old Edward, finally dipping his wick,’ he laughed. ‘Mind, it doesn’t say much for his prowess that the little floozy came to her senses and went screaming off into the sunset. And who is that woman you have staying here? I’ve never heard of her people. What is she? Some waif you’ve dragged in to keep your own wick wet?’

Like a clockwork toy wound one too many times, Tom snapped. He grabbed George by the scruff. ‘If I were less of a gentleman, I would whip you,’ he seethed.

George allowed himself to be manhandled. But it was more than that, Lou thought. He actually appeared to be enjoying it; to be feeding off Tom’s anger.

‘If you were more of a gentleman, you would have better control over the household that is to be yours,’ George said. ‘And if you think you can engineer a marriage to my sister to save your pointless family, then you can think again. I’ll make it my life’s work to wipe the name of Mandeville from the history of my family. Forever.’

‘I’d be cold in my grave before I let that happen.’

‘All in good time, Mandeville. All in good time.’

Still holding his cousin by the scruff, Tom pulled back his arm and raised his fist.

‘Go on.’ George offered up his cheek. ‘Show the world that you are the powerful man in that laughable portrait. What are you waiting for? Be sure to leave a nice big bruise. You never know, you might still be in the police cells on the night of your mother’s ridiculous party. Don’t worry, you can thank me for that later.’

Tom’s fist began to shake. Lou willed him to hit his cousin, to beat him until he couldn’t stand. Instead, he pushed George away with such force that he landed on his backside on the ground. He stayed down, looking up at Tom.

‘Trust a Mandeville not to have the balls for a real man’s fight. You prefer to sneak around, telling tales like a schoolgirl, don’t you?’

Tom marched towards the stable yard.

George pulled himself to his feet and brushed the snow from the seat of his trousers. ‘That’s it!’ he called after Tom, ‘Run away and play with your horses, soldier boy.’