‘And all is progressing well?’

‘Very well. My father and I shall be able to move in after tomorrow. Mr Felton is just finishing up.’

‘Ah yes, Mr Felton. A hard worker and out in all weathers. He’s an example to us all. Some of our footmen don’t even like to get their hair wet.’

The comment appeared to be pointed and Effie was aware of William shifting in his seat beside her.

‘Mrs McKenzie,’ Jenny piped up. ‘I went to do the fire in the library just now, but the door was locked.’

The housekeeper straightened up. ‘Yes, that’s correct. A bird came down the chimney earlier. We tried to get it out but it is being very aggressive. We’re letting it settle before we go in again and try to capture it.’

‘That’ll make a fine mess,’ Barra tutted.

‘Felton’s the man to get it out,’ Mr Graves said. ‘I’ll speak to h—’

‘No, not to worry, Mr Graves,’ Mrs McKenzie said quickly. ‘I’ve already spoken with him. It’s all in hand.’

The butler nodded, but he wore a light frown. ‘As you wish.’

The housekeeper’s gaze flitted quickly in Effie’s direction and immediately away again. Billy looked up the table and grinned at her. He could hardly have been more indiscreet, that smile implicating her without words.

‘And I’ve been given to understand, Miss Gillies, that you have an invitation for dinner tonight?’ Mrs McKenzie’s face was stretched just beyond a benign expression so that it looked like her skin and the muscles around her mouth were being pulled back. ‘Upstairs.’

So that was it. Every set of eyes was upon her. She swallowed nervously. ‘. . . Yes. Lord Sholto says the countess wishes to hear more about my home.’

‘Does she now?’ Mr Graves enquired.

‘Her ladyship has already informed me,’ the housekeeper said. ‘Though I must say, I would have appreciated hearing it from you first.’

‘I didn’t know myself until . . .’ Her voice trailed off as she remembered Sholto’s peremptory manner outside the cottage. He had resented having to ask her. She knew he didn’t want her to be there – but why? Did he hate himself for kissing her? Did he hate her for kissing him back? Or was it simply that her presence here, in the same house as Lady Sibyl, was a constant reminder of his infidelity? ‘I’ve not met her ladyship yet.’

‘Well, now you will.’

‘Yes.’ Effie stared down at her plate, forgetting to eat. She was going to meet Sholto’s mother. It didn’t matter that she already knew his father and he was kind to her – she had met him when she hadn’t understood the gravitas of this family. But sitting here, with their small army of servants . . . there was no escaping their importance now.