‘So tell him that. When you see him tomorrow, tell him.’

‘How can I? He’ll think I’m feeling sorry for him.’

‘Feeling sorry, my backside,’ said Olive forcefully. ‘From what his sister has said, he’s not going to say anything to you, is he, not feeling as he does about himself? So it’s up to you to make the first move. Look, lass, if you love him like you say you do, what have you got to lose? Better telling him and him still clearing off, than not telling him and always wondering whether it might have worked.’

She had nodded. Put like that it seemed her only option. Now, though, doubt had crept in. Clarissa had seemed so sure that Edward still loved her and that it had been that which had ended his engagement, but could she really be as sure as she claimed? He must have felt something more than affection to get betrothed to the American girl so quickly? Actually ask her to spend the rest of her life with him? Would they have got back together if the Wall Street Crash hadn’t happened and then Edward had become so ill? It might have been a lovers’ tiff that would have got sorted out but for the catastrophe that had followed.

She made a sound of irritation in her throat and straightened, winding up the window and starting the engine. Enough. At this rate she’d drive herself mad before she got to Foreburn. Feeling as though she was teetering on the edge of a precipice she drove on, vitally aware that the next few hours would determine the rest of her life.

‘You’ve done what?’

‘I’ve invited Ruby for lunch.’ Clarissa faced her brother calmly. ‘You know she often dines with us on a Sunday when we’re at home.’ For a moment she thought he was going to explode – certainly he had more colour in his cheeks than he’d had thus far – but then she watched him take control of himself.

‘Of course,’ he said stiffly. ‘This is your home and you are free to do as you please, but I will take my meal upstairs if that is all right.’

‘No, it’s not all right. That would be positively insulting and you know it. I know things were difficult between you when you parted but surely you can be civil to her?’

Much as he loved his sister, right at this moment he could throttle her. Edward glanced at Godfrey who shook his head. ‘Don’t look at me, old boy. I had no idea either.’

‘It’s Sunday lunch, for goodness’ sake.’ Clarissa hid behind annoyance. ‘Don’t make such a drama of it, the two of you.’