‘Indeed I was, but the countryside there was so beautiful I stayed on a while to explore.’

‘He did wonder why you didn’t come home when he wrote and told you about our engagement. He hoped you would.’

‘I know, and of course I wish now with all my heart that I had, that I hadn’t left it too late, but such regrets are of no use. Now I must do all in my power to ease my parents’ sadness. I shall stay at home and try to learn what Justin was brought up to know.’

It was on the tip of his tongue to confide the secret of his understanding with Hélène St Clair, but as he hesitated the moment was lost as Lady Blake came back into the room, followed by Campbell with a tea tray and a dish of cakes and biscuits.

They drank their tea and ate the sweetmeats, and as soon as he decently could, Rupert left Marwick House with a promise to return to call on Sir James in the next few days. As he rode home, Rupert thought about Kitty and her reaction to Justin’s death. Her mother had described her as ‘distraught’, but Rupert had seen no sign of that. Kitty had been dignified in her determination to attend the funeral in two days’ time, and she had spoken of Justin in a tone of affection, but without the depth of love he would have expected from a fiancée. Perhaps, he thought, it is the only way she can get through the days, the only way she can hold herself together until the ritual of the funeral is over and Justin is committed to the ground.

When he got home again, he and Fran went over all the arrangements she had made.

‘How did you find Kitty?’ Fran asked.

‘Calm, dignified, determined.’

‘Determined?’ Fran looked at him sharply. ‘Determined about what?’

‘Determined to come to the funeral. Well, to the church, anyway. Her parents don’t approve.’

‘She usually gets what she wants,’ remarked Fran. ‘So I’m sure she’ll be there.’

The following day Lord and Lady Devenish arrived and the house was in a flurry of welcome. Lady Chalfont, encouraged by Rupert and Fran, made the effort at last to get dressed and come downstairs. It was the first time she had left her chamber and she walked unsteadily down to the drawing room, leaning on her son’s arm.

‘Amabel!’ cried Lady Devenish. ‘How do you do? You look very pale, my dear sister.’

‘I’m very tired, Grace. I haven’t slept in days. There’s been so much coming and going in the house and poor Justin lying in his coffin in the morning room.’ She let go of Rupert’s arm and sank into an armchair as if her legs would no longer hold her.

Dinner was a quiet affair, with little conversation from either side of the table. Sir Philip had always found his sister-in-law difficult and tonight was no exception. The men did not linger in the dining room and the ladies retired to bed soon after the tea tray was brought in.