‘No, thank you, Margaret. There is much to be done at home.’

‘Of course, of course.’ Margaret nodded.

‘Would you please accompany me to my study?’

Ann stood. ‘Thank you, Archibald.’

He gestured towards the door and she followed him, crossing the corridor to the study. Archibald shut the door behind them and pointed at the seat in front of the desk, which he went behind and waited for Ann to sit.

He sat down then leant over the desk, clutching both hands together. He had an expression she had not noticed before. One of compassion, yes, of deep sorrow. But there was something else, something hidden.

‘Ann, we alluded to this before but now I must be frank and tell you that whatever financial assistance you require is yours.’

He removed a tiny key from his pocket and unlocked the drawer in front of him. He pushed aside some pills and small phials and stretched in towards the back, removing some bank notes.

‘Are you in need of much in terms of cash, Ann?’

Ann began to fan herself with a black fan. ‘I am sure that, once things are settled, I shall be able to speak to Robert’s lawyer in Union Street. There is surely some way that I can access the money in his account, but for now, I should be most grateful if I might have a small loan.’

‘Think nothing more of it.’ Archibald began to count out notes in front of him and looked up at her, expectant. She said nothing, just continued to gaze into his warm brown eyes. He continued counting until a substantial pile sat there.

‘Thank you, Robert, that is most kind. I shall repay it just as soon as…’

‘Do not worry at all. You have enough to consider at this moment. All in good time.’ He replaced the few remaining notes at the back of his drawer and hesitated. ‘Are you sleeping better, Ann?’

‘I must confess that I am not. Indeed, not well at all.’

He withdrew a phial of dark brown liquid from the drawer and handed it to her. ‘Take only a couple of drops of this tincture at night. No more than three drops, in water. You will sleep like a baby.’

Ann pushed the phial into her bag and stood. ‘Thank you. I do not know how I would manage without such devoted neighbours.’

Archibald locked the drawer then came round the desk to stand in front of her. ‘Not just neighbours, Ann, but friends, dear friends.’ He leant down towards her. He was very close to her face. She felt his warm breath as she gazed up at him, her ice-blue eyes shining. He withdrew a little and inhaled deeply.

‘What is your perfume, Ann? It is intoxicating.’

Ann stood up. She flicked the veil back down over her face and smiled. Now she knew what his hidden expression was. Desire.

‘Jasmine. Do you like it, Archibald?’

* * *