I realized then that she had really loved the man who’d betrayed her. It’s hard for us women to get a man out of our minds and hearts.

“So when will you go, do you think?”

“Before Christmas, I hope. Christmas alone in London would be too utterly bloody, and of course I can’t go home. The wicked stepmother would notice, I’m sure. I couldn’t do up my trousers yesterday. I can’t tell you what a shock that was. Made it all so real suddenly. So I’m aiming for Christmas in Italy.” She reached across to me. “Why don’t you come with me? We’d have fun together. It would be like the old days.”

“We certainly would,” I agreed, “but I can’t leave London in case Darcy needs me.”

“Why didn’t you go to Ireland with him?”

I stared into the glowing bars of the fire. “He said he didn’t want me there. Or at least that his father wouldn’t want me there at such a terrible time.”

“Poor Darcy, having to face such an unpleasant matter all alone. What was his father arrested for?”

“Murder,” I said.

“Crikey. No, you’re probably wise to keep well away. There’s nothing you could do and the newspapers will be waiting like hawks. Your family would probably be furious.”

“I don’t see why. Darcy has done nothing wrong. He is not responsible for his father’s behavior.”

“But you know what newspapers are like. King’s cousin linked to murder?”

“Darcy is clever. I’m sure he’ll find out it was all a mistake.” I said this to convince myself as much as her. “So what is going to happen to this place when you go?”

She smiled then, the first time I’d seen a real, happy smile. “Brilliant. I’ve managed to let it for a really good amount. An American professor teaching at LSE. So what with the money from Grandmama and the rental I’ll be living rather nicely for once. Not having to worry where the next penny is coming from.” She broke off and looked up at me. “Sorry, that was rather thoughtless, wasn’t it. You’re obviously still worrying where the next penny is coming from.”

“I do happen to have a little stashed away at the moment. Besides, money isn’t everything,” I said, then wished I hadn’t.

“No,” she said. “Money isn’t everything.”

I stood up. “I should be getting back. I just stopped by to see if you were all right.”

“Are you staying with your brother?”

“That’s right,” I said. “With my brother.”

We hugged. “Write to me when you have an address,” I told her. “I have no idea where I’ll be going after this, but if you send it to Castle Rannoch I’ll get it eventually.”