There was, he decided, only one way to find out and unknowingly following Justin, he made his way out to the stables, where Jack saddled Rufus, and without a word of where he was going, he rode to Marwick House.

This time Kitty was alone when she received him. She offered him refreshment, but he turned it down. Having got here and able to speak to her privately, he wanted to get their conversation over before they were interrupted by her parents or one of the servants.

‘Kitty,’ he began, ‘we need to talk.’

She watched him pacing the floor and said, ‘Do we, Rupert? If that’s the case, do stop pacing about and sit down, you’re making me giddy.’

Rupert did as she asked, perching for a moment on a chair by the fire, before getting to his feet again and walking the floor once more.

‘It’s difficult,’ he began.

‘Is it? Well, I shan’t know what you’re talking about unless you tell me, so do come straight to the point. I always think that’s best when you have something unpleasant to say.’

‘It’s not unpleasant, it’s just difficult.’

‘For goodness’ sake, Rupert, tell me.’

‘Right.’ And Rupert took the plunge. ‘My family think it would be beneficial all round if you and I got married.’

‘I see,’ Kitty responded coolly. ‘But you don’t want to.’

‘It’s not that exactly…’

‘Then what is it… exactly?’

‘I wanted to know what you thought of the idea,’ Rupert said, then continued without giving her time to answer. ‘I mean, it’s far too soon for you to be thinking again of marriage. You loved Justin and you can’t simply take me instead, like replacing a pair of lost shoes.’

‘So why are we talking about it?’ asked Kitty quietly.

‘My father is dying,’ Rupert told her. ‘He has the wasting sickness, like my grandfather. He knows he hasn’t long to live.’

‘I’m so sorry,’ murmured Kitty.

‘He is anxious to see me settled at Pilgrim’s Oak.’

‘Well, you are, are you not?’

‘Of course. It’s my duty to stay.’

‘And you feel it’s your duty to marry me?’ Kitty gave him a quizzical look.

‘It’s something we both wanted once,’ he replied quietly.

‘And now you don’t, because of Justin’s death.’

‘Something like that, I suppose.’

‘I do understand, Rupert,’ Kitty said. ‘If Justin hadn’t died there would be no question of our being married. But we can’t bring him back, much as we’d like to, so we have to look to the future. If we agree that we should marry at some time in the future and it is only the speed with which we are contemplating it that concerns you, well, that is nobody’s business but our own. Wishing to be married before your father dies puts a completely different complexion on the whole thing; it can give offence to no one.’

‘But what about you, Kitty? It may not be something you want, ever.’

‘I want to be married,’ she answered. ‘I want to have children. With you I could do both. Of course it would be more seemly to wait, but in the circumstances, it would be unkind to your father to do so.’