“Yes. Lord Breksby sent a note about two weeks ago saying that I should not worry, and the project was taking longer than planned. His tone was not—entirely nice. The worst of it was that I had the distinct impression that he felt the mess here was so awful that Alex was making the project take longer than it need have.”

“I doubt that,” Sophie replied. “For one thing, how would Alex know about it?”

“I don’t know, I don’t know. But I keep thinking that even though they didn’t tell me exactly where he is, probably those men in the Foreign Ministry know his location. And what would stop one of them from sending over a copy of that terrible Tatler article?”

There was a moment of silence. “That would be difficult,” Sophie agreed. “Do you know where Alex’s brother has gone?”

“No. He said he was going to Leicestershire,” Charlotte said. “But what good could he do even if he were here? I don’t want to see him again! The Tatler made it sound as if he may have stayed in our house all night—when he was there only an hour at the most! Oh, dear …” Tears fell down her face.

Charlotte had spent so much time keeping up a serene front that it was a great relief to see Sophie. For example, she was acutely aware that none of the neighbors had called, as would be normal. They must think that I am a scarlet woman, she thought miserably. She instinctively placed her hands on her growing tummy.

Sophie interposed. “You’re probably right; Patrick Foakes would just make things worse.” She decided to change the subject. “I must say, you don’t show the baby very much,” Sophie said. “Are you sure that you are eight months along?”

“I saw a doctor, and he seemed to think so. My mother said her condition didn’t show much until the very end.”

Thank God, Sophie thought, Mama has no idea that Charlotte is enceinte. That would be the straw that broke the camel’s back. Sophie could just imagine the scandal that Charlotte’s rounded belly was going to provoke.

“Perhaps you should write a letter informing Alex of the pregnancy, and send it to him care of the Foreign Ministry,” Sophie suggested.

“I thought of that,” Charlotte answered. “But what if Alex isn’t planning to come back at all? He told me once that he was on the point of leaving his first wife for good when she proposed the annulment. He was going to join the army, or something of that nature. I’m afraid that someone told him how shocking I am, and he has simply decided to stay in Italy.”

She was sobbing hard now, her face buried in a sofa cushion. Sophie moved over and stroked Charlotte’s shaking shoulders. She wasn’t sure what to say.