There was a tap at the door. She took a deep breath and opened it. He stood there, a quizzical expression on his face.

‘Come in, Archibald. I do apologise for the disarray in here. It is usually used to store things for the lawn in summer but I found two chairs for us to sit on. And there are warm blankets, should we require.’

She shut the door softly behind him and pointed to a seat. He sat down and stared at her beautiful face. ‘Why have you asked me here, Ann?’

He frowned, looking apprehensive. She must take things slowly. He was attractive and sensitive, but in an unhappy marriage – well, who would be happily married to dumpy, dull Margaret?

‘Archibald, do not look quite so scared.’ She laughed then turned to the table where she had placed a decanter of Madeira and two glasses earlier. She poured and handed him a glass, the crystal sparkling in the candlelight. She never took her eyes off his face as she raised her glass to her lips.

He was buttoned up tightly in his overcoat.

‘Might I take your coat?’ She smiled and reached to help him shrug it from his shoulders. Underneath he had a tweed jacket and the mustard waistcoat she loved.

‘Is there a problem, Ann?’

‘Nothing at all. I simply wanted to see you, to have a conversation. How is the work at the morgue?’ She took a large sip from her glass.

‘Unpleasant. We received two more bodies today; we now have twenty-four.’ He was staring at the floor. ‘Still no sign of Robert.’ He looked up at Ann who was taking off her redingote. She leant down to flick something off her slipper and as she slowly raised her head, she knew he was staring at her décolletage but when she smiled at him he averted his gaze.

‘Archibald, you and I have been friends for so long and I know there is more than a neighbourly connection between us.’ She leant over to his chair and placed her hand over his, not taking her eyes from his face. He flushed red. ‘Are you warm? The hot water bottles at our backs are delightful, do you not think? It reminds me of picnics by the stream at Kirkmichael House when the children were little. They ran about splashing in the water while we sat on chairs lined with blankets with hot water bottles tucked in.’ She tilted her head to one side and smiled. ‘Let me help you remove your jacket, you will be more comfortable, I think.’ She leant towards him and slipped her hand inside his jacket and pushed it off his shoulders. She looked up at him and knew her intoxicating perfume was beginning to take effect.

‘Ann, I…’