“Don’t say that,” Margaret snapped. “It is not Julia’s fault that she has not yet had a child.”

“Don’t bite my head off. As it happens, I agree with you that it is in all likelihood not Julia’s fault.”

“What do you mean by that, Lewis?”

He opened his mouth to answer her, then clearly changed his mind. “Shall we see if they serve tea at the Turkish baths? I had planned to take you to the International Hotel, but I heard that the baths have reopened as some sort of assembly rooms. When they were first built, the staff wore scarlet dressing gowns and Turkish slippers. It would be fun if they still did. What do you think, Margaret?”

She thought his attempt to distract her glaringly obvious. What was it he had decided against telling her about Lord Powerscourt? But though Lewis had a vicious streak, and though there was clearly no love lost between the two brothers, he had refrained. She respected him for that. “It sounds fun,” Margaret answered. “Will I be permitted to smoke a Turkish pipe?”

He pressed her arm, smiling down warmly at her. “Back in the day, one could loll about on velvet divans and smoke. I was never there in its heyday, but I’m told there were fountains and palm trees and domed ceilings set with glass stars. Let us hope the new owners have not stripped it of all its ambiance.”

“And let us hope they serve tea. The sea air has made me very hungry.”

A WEEK LATER, MARGARET WAS ensconced in the octagon library, at the desk which she had claimed for her own. The door to the room was decorated to look like one of the bookshelves, complete with imitation books. The Key to Paradise was the tome covering the lock, hinting at a sense of humour, which ruled out the current viscount being responsible. She was staring into space when it opened, and Lewis entered.

“I thought I’d find you here. I came to tell you that I’ve decided to leave tomorrow.”

“Tomorrow! That’s rather sudden, isn’t it? You’ve been here for less than a fortnight.”

He began to pull books at random from the shelves, pursing his lips at each one before replacing it. “Mervyn is due back soon.”

“Not until next week. Can’t you stay a few more days?”

“My mind is made up. I won’t risk being here if he decides to arrive early. Does Julia always turn the house upside down and inside out when her husband is due home?”

“She likes everything to be perfect. Is there anything wrong with that?”