We drove in through a white-painted gate and up to a field of cream-colored cows. They were adorable with their big dark eyes and long lashes.

“I’m not sure I’m cut out to be a farmer,” Tony said as we complimented him. “It’s been a good challenge to get the herd up and running, but doing this every day, for the rest of my life when there is a big world out there? We have properties in Barbados, you know. Sugarcane. That might be fun.”

“I’m not sure I’d like Barbados,” Rose said from the backseat. “It’s awfully hot, isn’t it? And all the servants would be natives.”

“Oh, Rose, you are so horribly provincial,” Tony said. “Travel broadens the mind, you know. Belinda knows that, don’t you?”

I was glad Belinda had put me between her and Tony on the seat as I saw him sneak glances in her direction. Poor old Rose in the backseat, I thought.

TONY JOINED US for luncheon in a dining room down yet another corridor. I began to feel I might lose my way if left to wander unescorted in this house. The dining table could easily have seated thirty and we four sat at one end of it. I couldn’t help thinking how lonely it would be if just Rose and Tony sat there. Perhaps they had a less formal room when no guests were present. Then I remembered that we always ate in such a room at home in Scotland. It’s what aristocrats do. The lunch itself was a gammon steak with parsley sauce followed by a blackberry and apple crumble. Both delicious.

“Would you like a little rest?” Rose asked. “I usually have one.”

“No, I think I’m going to see if we can get a closer look at Trengilly,” Belinda said. “Now I know there is nobody in residence, I think we might be able to get into the grounds along the shoreline and up the rocks.” She paused. “You don’t think he has watchdogs or anything, do you?”

“Not that I’ve heard,” Rose said.

“At least we’ll be able to peek in through the windows and Georgie can see a taste of what it was like.”

“I bet you won’t even recognize it,” Rose said. “I hear it’s frightfully modern now.”

We found our way back to the foyer, rescued our coats and set off. The day had clouded over, as so often happens after a fine start. “Let’s hope it doesn’t rain before we can see the house,” Belinda said.

“Do you think it’s okay, sneaking in like this? I didn’t like the look of that great padlock on the front gates.”

“We’re not going to burgle the place, only to take a look at it,” Belinda said. “If there is a watchman, I’ll tell him who I am and he’ll understand.”