So like him, she thought as she sat at her dressing table preparing to visit Lady Charteris, to vanish into thin air without a word to anyone. Well, Justin knew he’d gone, but he had no idea of his whereabouts in France. Still, he’d disappeared before for weeks at a time and always come home again with stories of the places he’d been and the people he’d met.

She was surprised that Parker, his man, had not accompanied him when he left London, but she did not know that Rupert had sent Parker home to bury his father. It was none of her business to know such things.

‘Take a couple of weeks,’ Rupert had said to Parker. ‘I shan’t need you, and I’m sure your mother will be glad of your support. I’ll send for you if I want you.’

Justin heard his mother and sister being driven away in the chaise and went out to the stables. Jack the stable lad saddled up his horse, Rufus, and having checked that he had the ring box in his pocket, Justin set off to Marwick House to propose to Kitty. As he rode he wondered exactly what he would say, but decided to wait until the moment arose.

How ironic it would be, he thought suddenly, if she tells me that I’ve kept her waiting too long and turns me down, saying she’s going to marry someone else.

The thought suddenly seemed totally unacceptable and he kicked Rufus into a canter.

Kitty Blake was sitting in the garden reading when Campbell came out to ask if she were at home to Mr Justin Chalfont.

‘Of course, Campbell,’ she replied, setting aside her book. ‘Bring him out here. We’ll take tea under the oak.’

‘Very good, Miss Kitty,’ answered the butler, and he disappeared into the house. Moments later Justin appeared and Kitty rose to her feet to greet him. He took her outstretched hands, bowing over them.

‘Kitty,’ he said, ‘I trust you’re keeping well?’

‘Very well, thank you, Justin. As you see, I have been enjoying the afternoon sun. Have you come to see my father?’

‘No,’ Justin replied, though he realised at that moment that he ought to have done so before speaking to Kitty. Everyone assumed he and Kitty would ultimately make a match of it, but he had never actually asked her father’s permission to pay his addresses.

‘I’ve asked Campbell to bring tea out here,’ Kitty said, waving Justin to another chair as she sat down again. ‘I thought it would be most pleasant.’

‘It certainly would.’ Justin sat down and then immediately got up again. ‘But before he returns, Kitty, there’s something I want to ask you.’ Now the moment of asking had arrived, Justin found himself at a loss for words. He looked down at her sitting peacefully in her chair, looking up at him enquiringly, waiting for him to speak.

‘Kitty…’ he began and then stopped.

‘Kitty,’ he started again, ‘we’ve known each other from childhood…’