‘It has its advantages.’ Gloria always spoke as if the Stannards were a titled family. Her pretentious ideas irritated him. Not wishing to talk to her any longer, he turned to listen to something the person next to him was saying. That should get rid of her, he thought, as a chuckle of amusement rose inside him. It had been obvious for some time that Gloria was trying to attach herself to him. John was too serious; Luke too fond of chasing the girls – any girls; and that left him as her way into the Stannard family. She was wasting her time, though. He couldn’t stand her. She was a snob, and, having been educated at the Templeton School for Young Ladies, useless except as a hostess. He preferred girls who had depth to them, some conversation and knowledge of what was going on in the world. Living with someone as shallow as Gloria would be purgatory for him.

Through the chatter he heard the Wall Street crash mentioned and the suffering it was causing some families. He strained to hear what was being said further down the table.

‘Terrible business,’ Lady Arlington was saying. ‘They can’t find a trace of the Winford daughter. One dreads to think what might have become of her. Only sixteen years of age, I’m told.’

‘That’s right,’ Gloria announced. ‘I knew her. She was at my school. Always was on the wilful side, though I cannot understand why she wanted to run away when Albert Greaves would have married her. I never thought she was lacking in good sense. The stupid girl – she could have had a life of luxury.’

Matt bristled at her scornful tone. ‘I don’t know the man, but perhaps she didn’t want to marry him.’

Gloria gave him a withering look that said quite plainly that he didn’t know what he was talking about. ‘He is said to be immensely wealthy.’

Matt ignored her; he didn’t know the girl they were talking about anyway. His mind kept going back to their under housemaid. He hoped she was feeling better. He couldn’t understand why he felt so concerned about her; she was little more than a schoolgirl and he hardly knew her. Still, he’d had the impression that she was frightened about something. He gave a wry grimace. His father always said that he had a romantic nature and a too-vivid imagination. He was beginning to think his father was right.

The master had sent down beer, wine, lemonade and even a bottle of whisky for the staff to welcome in the New Year. There was also plenty of good food – cook had seen to that – and everyone was determined to have a boisterous party to see in 1930.