Rupert arrived home three days later and was immediately aware of the invisible mist of sorrow that had drifted through the house, invading every corner, ever since Justin had been brought home. Servants moved silently about their business, voices were low, the sounds of the living quieted by grief for the dead.

Fran had heard the carriage bringing her brother home from the station and was out to greet him before the coachman had had time to let down the steps and open the door. Rupert was tired after the uncomfortable journey by train, ship and coach, but as soon as he saw Fran’s eyes, glistening with unshed tears, peering up at him from her strained, pale face, he jumped down from the coach and enveloped her in a bear hug.

‘My poor girl!’ he murmured. ‘Tell me what happened. Was he thrown from his horse?’

‘No,’ said Fran. ‘He fell by the weir, hit his head and was drowned.’

‘Drowned? But he could swim like a fish.’

‘He was fishing, he missed his footing on the rocks and hit his head. I found him face down in the river.’

‘You found him? Oh, Fran, my poor Fran.’

‘Let’s go indoors so we can talk properly,’ said his sister, taking his arm. ‘We need to discuss the arrangements I’ve made so far.’

‘You? Has everything landed on you! Never mind, I’m here now and we’ll sort things out between us. How’s my father? And dear Mama, how is she?’

‘Papa is well enough,’ Fran replied as together they turned towards the front door. ‘He’s very sad, of course, but determined to show no emotion. He seems to carry on as normal, but spends most of his time in his library and has left all the arrangements to me. Mama, on the other hand, is all emotion. She is prostrate and has retired to bed.’ Fran bit her lip before she went on softly, ‘Rupert, I’m so glad you’ve come home.’

Rupert gave her hand a squeeze. ‘So am I,’ he said. ‘I’m sorry it took this long. Where is he?’

‘In the morning room,’ replied Fran, ‘but you can’t see him. I’m afraid we had to close the coffin.’

‘Of course you did,’ said Rupert gently. ‘Anyway, I’d rather remember him as he was last time I saw him, young and vigorous and in good health.’

Together they went up the steps into the house, where Mitchell stood in the hallway waiting to welcome Rupert home.

‘Good afternoon, sir,’ he said. ‘Sir Philip asks you to find him in the library as soon as is convenient.’

‘Thank you, Mitchell,’ Rupert replied. ‘Perhaps you would tell him I’ll be with him just as soon as I’ve washed off the dust of the journey.’

Rupert went up to his bedroom, where he found Parker already waiting for him.

‘Your luggage will be brought up directly, Mr Rupert. Will you change your clothes, sir?’

‘No, for the moment I’ll just get washed and then I must go to Sir Philip.’