“Oh, yes, true. Sterling effort. I’m sorry I drenched him.”

“It was probably for the best.”

Pat caught Miss Singh’s eye at that point. They both started laughing at once, Miss Singh’s shoulders shaking, Pat forced to put down the toast she was buttering. “Oh goodness,” Miss Singh gasped, wiping her eyes. “One shouldn’t laugh, but really.”

“Laugh or cry. Still, he leapt to your defence in a most impressive way. Or are you a pacifist?”

“Not when it comes to Maurice Haworth,” Miss Singh assured her. “And...well. As it happens, Preston asked me to marry him last night.”

“Good heavens. Will you?” Miss Singh nodded, the look in her eyes saying everything. “Oh, congratulations. How wonderful.”

“I haven’t told anyone else. The atmosphere is hardly appropriate, and to be honest, I don’t want Haworth’s opinion.”

“I do understand, and I shan’t say anything. But I’m thrilled for you. He seems awfully decent.”

“He is. I suppose you must think it’s a rather peculiar match.”

One couldn’t argue with that on the face of it, but Pat shook her head. “Not at all. Nobody could possibly think that when you look so happy.”

Miss Singh flushed becomingly. “Thank you, Miss Merton. That’s very kind.”

“Pat, please.”

“Victoria, then. Thank you. Oh, don’t let me keep you from your breakfast.”

“I can congratulate and eat at the same time,” Pat assured her. “Have you known each other long?”

That led Miss Singh—Victoria—into an account of how she had met Preston at a different country house party. She looked about five years younger when she wasn’t forced to guard herself, and very pretty. She was speaking with great animation when they both heard a tread on the floorboards. Pat whipped around; Victoria clamped her mouth shut.

Fen came in, looking somewhat wary. “Good morning. I’m sorry, am I interrupting?”

“No! Not at all.” Pat glanced at Victoria. “We were just discussing, uh—”

“Really, I can go.” Fen had dark rings under her eyes. She smiled with a hint of effort. “I don’t want to intrude.”

“You aren’t, Miss Carruth,” Victoria said. “I was just telling Pat, between ourselves, that Preston and I are engaged to be married.”

“Oh!” Fen clapped her hands to her mouth, then scurried over to the table, and wrapped Miss Singh in a heartfelt embrace, which she returned, looking startled but pleased. It was the kind of open-hearted reaction Pat was never very good at; she wasn’t one for hugs.

Fen was damp-eyed when she released the other woman. “Well, that is wonderful. I suppose you’ve already told Pat all about it, so...you’ll just have to tell me all about it over again.”

“I will.” Victoria glanced between them. “Thank you both. I didn’t expect to have people to share this with.”

Fen’s eyes rounded. “Does the Countess not approve?”

“I haven’t told anyone else.” Victoria briefly repeated her situation. “So if you could keep it under your hat for now, just until things calm down?”