“Oh, it is faulty, I know. I should have told you when I lent it to you. Thank you, Margaret. It is not a particularly valuable piece, but it is of great sentimental value to me.” Tucking the bracelet into a pocket, her mother resumed her seat. “Now,” she said briskly, “let us to business. First and most importantly, I must ask you to retain a dignified silence regarding the events of that evening.”

“I am more than happy never to have to discuss that evening ever again.”

“Good. Officially, it remains the case that you were taken suddenly ill and have been recuperating at Dalkeith. You are now fully restored to health. The first and most immediate priority is to put an end to any speculation that your innocence has been compromised. Therefore we need to show you off in public. There are not many opportunities until the Season starts, of course, but we will accept every invitation and I shall make a point of hosting a soirée myself. You will naturally be the focus of attention. Stand up and let me take a look at you.”

Studying her closely, the duchess’s expression lightened. “I do not have my measuring tape to hand, but it looks to me as if you have finally managed to refine both your appetite and your figure into a form more befitting a lady. However, it would do no harm to lose another inch or two. Fortunately, we have a few weeks before Parliament resumes at the start of February for you to go on a strict reducing diet as of now. In the meantime, Molly must spare no effort in lacing you up as tightly as can be managed. The next few months are critical. You may leave it up to me to make the overtures to Killin. I beg of you, Margaret, don’t let us down again. A cat, however endearing, has only so many lives.”

Chapter Ten

Chapter Ten

London, February 1866 (Six Weeks Later)

DONALD TOOK LADY MARGARET’S ARM as they set off from Montagu House.

“Thank you for being so obliging as to come to my assistance once again, Lochiel,” she said. “In fact I am doubly grateful to you, not only for arranging this meeting with Mr. Scott on my behalf but for acting as my escort.”

“Would an additional female chaperone not be considered appropriate?”

“Normally, yes, but on balance I decided that having Molly trail in our wake where we are going would attract unnecessary attention, which I definitely wish to avoid at all costs.”

“That is a good point.”

“And beside, you are all the chaperone I need,” she added. “A respected diplomat and a friend of my father’s to boot.”

Donald grimaced. “I am younger than your father by some decades.”

“Really? Perhaps it is the beard.”

“You don’t approve of it, then?”