‘Oh well.’ Louisa shrugged. ‘Adam knows Christopher anyway, so they could have a nice reunion and talk about tax and company law and the market and other thrilling topics of that ilk while Marnie and I talk castles. Is there any hope of you and Giles being in London next month? Then we could be six for dinner and that would make it really perfect. Do try . . . and you could see for yourself how beautifully I can behave!’ she added.

‘Doubtful, I’m afraid . . . you know what a pair of old stay-at-home country bumpkins we’ve become,’ said Isobel, ‘and we’re always so busy up here in the summer anyway . . .’

She did not mention to Louisa that she had a pressing reason to go up to London in the very near future, but not one that would combine with social engagements.

And Louisa did not tell Isobel that she had decided to postpone rather than abandon any hopes of getting together with Christopher Piper. He was plainly in thrall to Marnie at the moment but she wondered how much they would have in common away from the hothouse atmosphere of Glendrochatt. Although her conscience would not have allowed her to make a deliberate attempt to win him away from Marnie now, she couldn’t help secretly hoping that once back in the setting of the London social scene that was so familiar to both Christopher and herself, things might change of their own accord . . . and she would be there in the wings, waiting.

Louisa had not so far cast out a lure and had it spurned.

Part Three

Eilean Dobhran

Chapter Twenty-six

It was with a sense of adventure but some private apprehensions that Marnie and Christopher drove away from Glendrochatt on Thursday morning. Both felt very aware that this expedition could produce a marker in their lives at which they might look back in later years and say, ‘That was our turning point.’ Glendrochatt had brought them together in the first place and provided them with the chance to develop their acquaintance. Now they were on their own

Before he had telephoned the hotel recommended by Giles, Christopher had asked her: ‘One room – or two? Entirely your choice . . . I know what I would like, but no pressure, I promise. I shall quite understand if it would be too soon for you,’ and she had only hesitated for a moment before answering: ‘Shall we go for one then?’ and been rewarded by his swift look of pleasure. It had seemed to both of them, two people who had both been injured in past relationships, to express an important exchange of trust.