We went up to change for dinner. Belinda paused outside her door. “Uncle Francis really is the last straw, isn’t he, darling,” she muttered. “I can tell you, I nearly died of embarrassment. It was all I could do not to tip the teapot over his head.”

I had to chuckle at this image. “I suppose he was using your being here to try and get more favorable terms from Tony.”

“Of course he was. What a slimy snake he is. No wonder Granny didn’t trust him. How dare he come here. First thing tomorrow we go.”

As I entered my room I started in surprise. Mrs. Mannering was standing beside my bed.

“Ah, here you are, my lady,” she said. “I came up to help you dress again. I have laid out the blue gown, or should I find you another choice for tonight if you don’t want to wear the same thing twice?”

“Oh, Mrs. Mannering, this is very good of you,” I said, “but I am quite happy to wear that beautiful dress again.”

“It certainly suits you,” she said. “It was made to compliment blond hair.”

I had to stand there, feeling strangely embarrassed, while she eased my jumper over my head, helped me step out of my skirt and then put on the blue evening dress. I felt her cold fingers as she hooked at my bare back. There was something reptilian about them and I tried not to shudder or to push her away.

“If you’ll take a seat at the dressing table I will take care of your hair, my lady,” she said. She almost pushed me onto the stool, took the brush and started to brush my hair in long, even strokes. I saw my reflection in the looking glass, my tense uneasiness. My hair was short and easy to manage. A few strokes would have sufficed, but Mrs. Mannering went on brushing, stroke after stroke until I wanted to cry out.

“How I have missed this,” she said. “I always brushed Miss Jonquil’s lovely hair until it shone like spun gold. The current mistress of this house is not worthy of my ministrations. She would not appreciate them. It takes a true lady to allow a servant to do her job.”

“She is trying hard, Mrs. Mannering,” I said. “It must be very strange for her and she needs encouragement. You could help her fit in and learn this way of life.”

“You have to be born to it, my lady. Breeding counts. That’s what I’ve always known.”

She slid a jeweled hair clip to hold back a curl. “Very nice. I will now go and make sure all is ready for your dinner.”