“As I was saying, the point about going abroad—and I don’t mean Europe, that is too close to home. The point is, Margaret, that you don’t know anyone and more importantly, no-one knows you. You have no past, and the future is yours to write. I thought of going to America myself actually, and of acting on Broadway which is where all the theatres are, so Ira tells me, but now I have given up that career.”

“Perhaps you will become an explorer. Like Dr. Livingstone.”

“And disappear forever? Mervyn would like that.”

“I still don’t understand why your brother dislikes you so much. I like you very much.”

Lewis pressed her hand. “Because, like me, you are a maverick, though being a female, you are forced to disguise it more.” He was silent for a few moments, and when they reached Bray Head, turned towards the sea, leaning on the spray-damp railing of the promenade. “It’s not so much what I do that makes Mervyn dislike me, it’s the fact that I won’t settle to anything. He thinks I’m capricious, and he’s probably right, but I don’t see anything wrong with that.”

“You like to test yourself, that’s all.”

“Ah, Margaret, you have a generous soul.”

“Your brother is worried that if you inherit Powerscourt, you will not be interested enough to maintain it—is that it?”

Lewis shrugged. “I suppose, and I expect he is right about that, too.”

“Do you like him?”

“Do you know, I don’t think I’ve ever asked myself that question. Not particularly, is the answer. Mervyn is extremely worthy. But so very boring. I mean, deer, honestly? Shall we change the subject?” Lewis took her arm again, and they began to retrace their steps. “What does Julia make of our friendship?”

“Julia doesn’t judge.”

“Don’t bristle. I admire Julia, I’ll have you know. I admire anyone who puts up with my brother.”

“She is reserved, but just because she doesn’t wear her heart on her sleeve doesn’t mean she is cold. And she’s been very good to me, Lewis. I don’t know what she thinks of our friendship. I don’t even know what I think of it. Will it last beyond this visit?”

“You mean, will I forget all about you when I am gone from here? Out of sight, out of mind? No, I am generally thought to be a loyal friend, though the chances of my paying another visit here are low. I don’t like to stay where I am not welcome. Mervyn would never deny me my right to come to Powerscourt, but he much prefers if I don’t. And Julia—oh, poor Julia, I am afraid I am a constant reminder of her failure to produce an heir.”