‘Aren’t I the lucky one then?’ he enquired, eyeing Louisa in a way that set her teeth on edge. ‘I’ve stolen a march on the other chaps and landed myself next to the bonniest young lady in the room. Maybe I’ll be able to give you a hint or two – seeing as I’ve had previous experience,’ and he winked at her knowingly, though whether he was referring to his writing skills or his success as a self-styled Romeo, Louisa dreaded to think.

His wife went over to Marnie, who had sat herself down on the far side of the table with an empty chair on either side of her. ‘Can I come and sit by you?’ she enquired, unfazed by Marnie’s unapproachable air. ‘Catherine particularly told Stanley and me not to sit together.’

‘Oh yes, please do. Of course you can.’ Marnie treated Win to the smile that had so transformed her face when she had turned it on Catherine the previous night and she made room for Win to pull out the chair next to hers.

Across the table Christopher Piper noticed the smile and wondered what it required to receive one. He had certainly not been favoured with one the evening before, and although Marnie had been perfectly civil she had remained ill at ease and he had not managed to break through the barrier of her reserve. Since he was sometimes considered aloof himself he regarded her reticence with some sympathy but couldn’t help thinking that the engaging Louisa would have been much more enjoyable company. He’d had his own reasons for not wishing to encounter any previous acquaintances at Glendrochatt and had been extremely surprised and far from pleased to bump into someone who knew him. However, now that it had happened and there was nothing he could do about it, he must make the best of it; he remembered how attractive he had thought Louisa when they’d met before. Marnie might prove to be interesting if you got to know her, he thought, but Louisa certainly looked as if she’d be a great deal more fun.