‘And here, let me correct you. Lady Banks is very much not.’ The familiar, short, untidy figure pushed through and barrelled into the bedroom. ‘My opinions on waiting are more than well known.’ Shooing Booker out of the armchair, she sat down with some heaviness. ‘My dear, I am come to celebrate your significant— Oh my good Lord, what on earth have they done to you?’

Mary recited the facts of the morning, while expressing no comment.

‘Well, I have not heard such nonsense in all of my days. And where is her ladyship now, pray?’ She thumped her cane on the carpet. ‘I demand her presence at once!’

‘Pray, Aunt, I beg you do not.’ Mary rose and went to her side, bent to kiss her dry cheek. ‘’Tis done now and I believe her intentions were perfectly good.’ The last thing they needed was a conflict over which her papa was made to rule, for he would never upset the Wife in her interesting condition. ‘And, anyway, what does it matter?’

‘Oh, you naïve little creature.’ Such a fine day, yet Lady Banks’s voice rolled like incoming thunder. ‘It matters a great deal, or why would it have happened? I must express my pr-r-rofound disappointment, after all that I said to her. And when you were becoming so lovely … Bah! Second wives, Mary.’ Her jowls shook with dismay. ‘Second wives. Will the good Lord not spare us from …’

She let the mysterious thought hang, then rose to her full height, which these days did not quite meet Mary’s shoulder. ‘Ah, I must away to your father before he takes offence – never takes much with him, as we have all found to our cost. But first let me say this.’ She took both hands in hers. ‘If there is ever – and I stress ever – a time when you need my support, then please promise you come to me. No matter how major, or trivial. I married a Man of Science, remember. Nothing can shock me. I remain where I have always been: right on your side.’ Lady Banks shot a look towards Booker. ‘Somebody has to be, is that not so?’

She moved to the exit but, on reaching the door, something else struck her. ‘Why on earth do they still stick you out here in the nursery? Yet another indignity! You are now a young lady and I expect you to be treated as such. Where is Sir Edward?

‘He shall get a piece of my mind.’

Mary and Cassy sat down on the bench at the edge of the field and prepared to watch play.

‘How lucky you are.’ Cassy sighed heavily. ‘Your very own cricket pitch! My dear brothers are near demented with envy.’

‘Ah, the poor Knights of Godmersham.’ When Mary laughed, the ridiculous ringlets bounced on her face. She brushed them away. ‘So deprived of amenities. Can we not start a fund?’