“Except that I’d really like to be close by to supervise the work on the cottage,” Belinda said. “For that the position is ideal. I’ll just have to be grown-up about it, to be cool but civil to Tony and polite to Rose. Mrs. Summers.” She shook her head. “Can you imagine anyone less suited to being mistress of Trewoma?”

“You may be surprised,” I said. “She had the gumption to go up to London and become a secretary. She didn’t just marry the nearest fisherman down here. And she certainly dresses well.” I wagged a finger as an idea struck me. “You can design a wardrobe for her. As a thank-you for her hospitality. She’ll be thrilled and impressed.”

“I suppose I could.” Belinda toyed with the idea. “Oh well. She wants time to prepare the staff for our invasion. We’d better take that stroll down to the harbor,” she continued as I fell into step beside her. “I wonder how she handles staff in a big house like that. They must all know she was a cook’s daughter. I bet that doesn’t go down well.”

“Poor Rose,” I said. “I’m beginning to feel sorry for her.”

“Sorry for her? My dear, she’s just landed the plum. The nicest house for miles around and Tony Summers. What more could one want?”

“You’re jealous. That’s why you’re so miffed,” I teased.

She nodded. “You’re right. Absolutely green with envy!”

“Except you wouldn’t want to be stuck down here all the time, would you? I’ve just found that being mistress of a great house can be boring and lonely. You always were such a party girl.”

“Not anymore, darling.” She sighed. “Remember. Pure and virginal. In fact the convent is the only future that may be right for me.”

I looked at her face and saw it twitch into a smile. “You’re pulling my leg again. Anyway, it’s like falling off a horse. You have to get right back on again. It should be like that for you and men. You had a bad experience. Now you can start dating some good eggs.”

“If there are any that haven’t been snapped up by people like Rosie Barnes!” she said and stomped ahead of me.