“It’ll be dinner-time soon. There’s roast goose and clootie dumpling.” Molly crossed the hallway to stand beside her, staring at the space where the Christmas tree should have been. “We’ve a tree downstairs. I spoke to Mrs. Mack. It’s not right that you eat your Christmas dinner alone. We’d be delighted to have you eat with us in the servants’ hall.”

Touched, Margaret blinked furiously as tears started in her eyes. “Oh, Molly, that’s so kind, but I couldn’t.”

“Why not? You’ll be miserable on your own.”

“Not as miserable as I’ll be if I think you’re going to spend the day fretting about me,” Margaret said, forcing herself to smile, “especially when there is no need. I’m perfectly used to taking my dinner alone after all this time, and, anyway, you know that my presence below stairs would put a damper on the occasion.”

“But—”

“No, Molly. I might pop down later for the sing-song as usual, though. I’ll be fine, I promise.”

“But what are you going to do with yourself in the meantime?”

“I told you, take a walk. Pay Spider a visit. Perhaps I’ll build a snowman.” Margaret gave her maid a brief hug, then a small push. “‘Go and enjoy yourself. That’s an order.”

Outside, the snow was falling far more thickly now, though a glance up at the sullen sky showed that it would probably clear in half an hour or so. Deciding to wait it out, she headed down the hill, by-passing the stables, for the sanctuary of the orangery.

Set on the banks of the River Esk, it was the centrepiece of the formal parterre gardens and one of Margaret’s favourite spots. The circular building was neoclassical in style, with an elaborately moulded cupola roof and ornately carved columns. The boiler housed under the tiled floor, installed by Papa to heat the exotic plants and fruits grown inside, kept the place warm even on a bitter winter day like today. The multicoloured parakeets squawked a greeting as she closed the glass door gently behind her, breathing in the smell of the warm, damp earth mingled with the lush greenery of the palms. She could be in a jungle, far away in Africa or South America, save that outside snow lay thick on the ground.