And then everything went silent. Guy didn’t protest or try to defend himself. Nory could imagine his expression: sullen yet resolute in his unwillingness to show any kind of vulnerability. A hangover from an outmoded upbringing where to be a man was to be indomitable.

Camille left an hour later. When the bedroom door had first slammed and they’d seen Guy striding across the lawn in the direction of the stables, Nory had felt that at least one of them should go and knock to see if Camille was okay. She felt strongly it ought not to be her, just in case.

Jenna had immediately fetched Charles and Jeremy to go after Guy. Guy might be a misogynist and a cheat, but he was also their friend. Losing Tristan had left them all afraid, unable to trust that the people they loved would stick around to wait for better days.

The women were still deciding who among them should check on Camille, when she came back into the morning room carrying a suitcase and a holdall.

“I suppose you heard all that?” she said.

They nodded awkwardly and tried and failed to start comforting sentences, but Camille cut them off.

“It doesn’t matter,” she said. “I just wanted to say goodbye. And thank you. You’ve all been very kind. Lovely, actually. Even though Guy is your friend and not me.”

“We don’t approve of his behavior,” said Ameerah, and the others nodded emphatically.

“No. Well. Nothing’s ever simple, is it? As much as I don’t want to be the pathetic, pitied wife of a cheating husband, I still love him. I can’t seem to turn it off.”

“Maybe he’ll change,” said Nory.

Camille smiled at her. “Yes. Maybe he will. Or maybe I will. Anyway, I’ll be off. I’m sorry not to see you get married, Jenna. I’m sure you’ll be a beautiful bride. I know the meal and everything is already paid for, so feel free to bill my husband for my share.”

“Oh my god, that’s the last thing on my mind,” said Jenna. “Honestly, don’t worry about it. I completely understand. You need to get back to your babies.” Jenna pulled Camille into a hug, and then the others each took a turn at hugging the poor, rich, beautiful wife of Guy Bailey, the stupidest man in England.

“Keep an eye on him,” Camille said as she turned to leave. “He’s not as tough as he makes out.”

The butler, having brought the car round to the front of the castle, loaded her luggage into the boot, and Camille drove away. Nory, Jenna, Ameerah, and Pippa stood and waved on the stone steps until she was out of sight.

“Do you think she’ll be all right?” Nory asked.

“She’s close with her mum,” Jenna replied. “She mentioned it when we were chatting last night.”