The house comprised an impressive four-storey central building from which immense wings reached out on either side. This may well have been the first domestic residence which Adam designed, but Fanny could appreciate that it still stood as an almost perfect exemplar of the architect’s style.

‘And do look! All the servants assembled to meet us.’ Indeed, the staff was so very enormous – well over twenty in uniform! – as to strike fear into Fanny’s young heart. Having run Godmersham entirely alone, she had thought of herself as experienced. But here were many more than she was used to. How was she to cope?

The imposing façade of red brick was broken up with decorations of stucco. Either side of the great portico – and the wide flight of stone steps that led to it – were alcoves housing large, white, beautifully carved figures of marble. Fanny, whose once-favourite governess was almost over-fond of all things classical, was able to identify them at once. ‘The Four Seasons!’ she exclaimed.

Sir Edward alighted from the gig, walked around to offer Fanny his hand and said: ‘The figures you see before you represent the Four Seasons.’ As if he had not heard her, although Fanny could not see how that could be.

Sir Edward lowered her to the drive, tucked her hand under his arm, and proceeded to guide her. With her eyes on the central elevation, Fanny opened her mouth with the intention of speech.

‘Although,’ her fiancé cut in, ‘this is the first such residence to be completed by the Great Architect.’

Fanny glanced at him sideways. Not only was this acceptably common knowledge among Kent’s landed families, but Sir Edward had already mentioned the fact to her several times before. Might she remind him?

‘… exemplar of Robert Adam’s style.’

She decided she should very much not. ‘Is that so?’

Sir Edward, she realised, was at his happiest when in the position of being able to explain.

They met every member of staff, with Fanny pursuing a short chat with each, at the same time as trying to memorise every name she was given, before Sir Edward could send them all back to work and the couple was once more alone. And for the next half an hour, they walked peaceably around the grounds to the front of the establishment, while Sir Edward explained, at length, to his kind heart’s content.

‘The brick wall that runs around the kitchen garden is in fact more than just an attractive feature …’

‘Indeed?’ Fanny obliged.

‘It also performs the vital function …’

Her interested ignorance seemed to bring so much pleasure Fanny found it hard to begrudge. ‘How very clever that is.