For her part, Louisa felt achingly envious of his obvious solicitude for Marnie, which she knew was unreasonable, since not long ago it had been Adam’s protective attitude that she’d found so stifling. She was miserably aware that she was behaving unfairly and ungraciously, but that knowledge didn’t help her to snap out of her mood or make her feel any happier. The fact that Isobel had invited Neil Dunbarnock – not Louisa’s favourite man – to dinner, in order to make the numbers even, did nothing to soothe her spirits, especially when she found herself seated between him and the Colonel. She felt very much the odd one out – a state that might be familiar to Marnie, but was not one to which Louisa was accustomed. She wondered ruefully if she looked as ruffled as Mr Brown when he was in a huff. If she’d had feathers instead of hair, no doubt they would be standing on end for all to see. She had a choky feeling that she might be going to cry, and for the first time for ages longed for Adam to be with her. Perhaps I’ll ring him later, she thought, just for a talk; just to let him know how much I still value him and need to keep in touch even though I don’t want to get back together. Then she thought, but I can’t ring him just because I want solace and reassurance about another man’s lack of interest in me, especially when I’m not prepared to give anything in return.

I’m behaving like a spoilt child, she thought wretchedly. How can I rush to Adam for comfort only to abandon him if the going grows smooth again? She decided to make a real effort with Lord Dunbarnock, for Isobel’s sake. She knew Isobel had endured a terrible day and had no wish to add to her difficulties by being a disruptive influence at her dinner party.