A woman was hurrying down one of the paths from the castle, waving frantically to get their attention, and Josephine smiled at Marta. ‘Looks like your education will have to wait. This must be our welcoming party.’

Sure enough, the woman introduced herself as Nora Pendean, the castle’s housekeeper. ‘Welcome to St Michael’s Mount,’ she said when Josephine and Marta had given their names, ‘and a very happy Christmas to you both.’ She paused to get her breath back, and Josephine wondered if her agitation was down to the general workload of a house party or the arrival of one guest in particular. ‘I hope you’ll be comfortable with us,’ she continued, ‘and please don’t hesitate to ask if there’s anything you need – anything at all. I’ll take you up to the castle now and show you to your rooms, and Miss St Aubyn would be delighted if you would join her for drinks in the library at six. All our guests should have arrived by then. In the meantime, we’ll bring you some tea.’ 86

She glanced behind them at the open museum door, and Josephine felt obliged to explain. ‘We thought we’d have a look round while we were waiting,’ she said. ‘You’ve obviously got a fascinating collection.’

‘Oh yes, there are one or two things here that you won’t find anywhere else, but I’m very sorry – it’s closed now until after Christmas.’ She reached inside to turn the sign round and shut the door firmly behind her. ‘Family commitments. This shouldn’t have been left open today, but I’m sure there’ll be time for you to have a look round before you leave. Now – shall we go up and settle you in?’

Trannack had returned and was by the car with the Lancasters; other than an embarrassed glance towards Marta and Josephine, they made no reference to the earlier conversation, and when Mrs Pendean began the steep climb to the castle, they followed her without another word.

87

4

The temptation to call in at his uncle’s house and introduce his travelling companion to his family was almost too much for Archie, but their progress through Devon had been hampered by icy roads and snowbound villages, and he wanted to reach Marazion before the causeway closed. In spite of sending luggage on separately as she had promised, Marlene could never be described as someone who travelled light, and the idea of transferring everything she had brought from his car to a boat was a mountain which he would prefer not to face at the end of a long journey.

Contrary to his expectations, the hours spent together on the road had been relaxed and enjoyable, and Marlene was excellent company – gracious and undemanding, and appreciative of everything that was arranged for her. Knowing that nothing he booked could compete with the hotels she was used to, Archie had chosen simple country inns to break their journey, full of English charm but suitably anonymous, and he would never forget the look on a Wiltshire landlady’s face when the actress marched into her kitchens to demand the recipe for a venison and chestnut casserole. They talked constantly while they drove, and yet – while Marlene had quizzed him expertly on everything from his job to his favourite foods, teasing him gently at times and flirting when the mood took her – Archie would have been hard pressed to say that he knew her any better now than he did when they 88left Claridge’s; only once, when she had talked again about the letters that were causing her so much concern, did he glimpse someone more vulnerable beneath the natural self-assurance.