‘Well, they’re polite, of course, but things are quite different in the wider world. I know it’s not your fault that you don’t know any differently – why should you? – but decorum and good taste are held in high regard. Women scrambling over cliffs like monkeys . . .’ He pulled a face. ‘No. It’s important to think about the impression you make on these visitors and how you and your neighbours will be conveyed in their onward conversations. I’m sure you wouldn’t want to embarrass Sir John, would you?’

She had never met Sir John. ‘. . . Of course not.’

‘Very well, then. So we’re agreed there’ll be no more fits of vanity on the ropes. We must strive to make sure the guests are not made to feel uncomfortable by what they witness here. Best foot forward, yes?’

She stared back at him, shivering with cold and anger. ‘. . . Aye, sir.’

He looked over her shoulder, along the Street. ‘How is your father, anyway? Still lame?’

Her eyes narrowed. ‘And always will be.’

‘Which only makes him all the luckier to have you,’ he nodded, oblivious to her terse tone. ‘But please tell him I shall need to find him later and discuss the rent arrears.’

‘Arrears?’ Alarm shot through the word.

‘As I recall, you were short thirteen Scotch ells of tweed last year. Your uncle picked up some of the slack, but you were also down nine gallons of oil and seven sacks of black feathers.’

‘It’ll be fine this year,’ she said quickly. ‘We were only short because I twisted my ankle and couldn’t walk for ten days. It was just bad luck that it happened when we were fowling.’

The factor looked unconvinced. ‘I’ll need to reappraise the quota with him. You will remember I extended a great kindness in not reducing the oatmeal bolls after your brother’s accident and as a result you have enjoyed more than your share for nigh-on four years now—’

Effie looked at him with wild panic. What he said was true, but it still wasn’t enough. The past few winters had been hard ones and their harvests had all but failed, save for a half-dozen potatoes and those oats that were only half blackened by frost.

‘—I have been both generous and patient, but it’s not fair to expect others to compensate for your shortfalls. Accidents will always happen, Miss Gillies. You cannot expect to be fit and well every day of the year.’