Julia shrugged. “In September or October at the latest. I presume you are aware that he lost his brother in February?”

“Please accept my condolences.”

“Thank you. To be honest, I hardly knew Maurice, but Mervyn was very fond of him and took his loss badly. I hope when he comes home he will be over the worst of his grief.”

Margaret was feeling more uncomfortable by the minute. “I am sorry to have been foisted on you at such an awkward time.”

“My mother-in-law, Lady Londonderry, believes I am in need of female company.”

“I expect you’d have preferred to choose your own company, all the same.”

Julia frowned, fussing with one of the large tassels that tied back the curtains. “My sister Anne, who is next to me in age, does not wish to interrupt her London Season. Gertrude, my next sister, was married in April, and Mary, my next, is planning to make her debut. Besides, she’s five years younger than me. You, I believe, are twenty, so we are more of age.”

“I’ll be twenty in October.”

“Lady Londonderry speaks highly of the duchess, your mother.”

Which begged the question of what Lady Londonderry had said about her. Margaret braced herself. “I don’t know if you are aware of my circumstances, but—”

“I know nothing,” Julia interrupted, abandoning the tassel, “save that you are in need of a period of rustication. Pray do not feel the need to elaborate. I am happy to oblige Lady Londonderry, and hope you will feel at home here. Apparently you are a keen horsewoman. Please feel free to make use of the stables.”

“You are very kind,” Margaret said, mortified to find her eyes smarting.

“Your bags will be sent up as soon as they arrive, and I’ll have some hot water brought straightaway. If there’s anything else you need, you only have to ask. The bell is by the fireplace. Now, I’ll leave you to get settled, and we’ll have tea in half an hour, if that suits? Don’t worry about getting lost, I’ll come back and fetch you. There’s chocolate cake. A favourite of yours, I believe.”