“Lord Harcourt.” As always with Louis’s father, I find I am on my guard. Will this continue, I wonder, when I become his daughter-in-law?

“You have been left a very special legacy. Rest assured, should you find your inheritance … burdensome … there are those who would be only too happy to relieve you of it.”

“And you would no doubt count yourself among them.”

“Each of us must play to our own strengths, don’t you think?”

“I have no intention of playing at anything. Now, if you’ll excuse me…” I turn on my heel and walk briskly from the room. I will not, must not, let him see how anxious I am about taking up my father’s position in the coven. Any sign of weakness would be seized upon. I can never afford to give him the slightest cause to claim I am not up to the task. Never. One day he and I will be of the same family, a family of which he is the head, but even then I will remain his superior in the coven. He makes no secret of how uneasily this sits with him. I will not allow him to bully me into deferring to him where coven matters are concerned, however much deference I will be required to show him in society.

It is a blessing to see my dear friend Charlotte Pilkington-Adams stepping lightly into the room. Dressed as always in the very latest fashion she somehow succeeds in making even funereal attire look becoming. The fabric of her gown is not the heavy crape Mama insisted we both clad ourselves in, but the lightest devore velvet, the cut of which allows her to move freely, while still softly enhancing her youthful curves. Though the outfit must be uncomfortably warm, she gives no outward sign of suffering any discomfort at all. Her abundant blond curls are pinned decorously beneath her hat, but still manage to peep out attractively. Charlotte’s pretty face lights up at the sight of me, so that she has to quell her natural exuberance in order not to seem too cheerful for the occasion.

“Darling Lilith.” We exchange kisses. “Such a horridly difficult day for you, and yet you look wonderful.”

“And you are a very welcome drop of sunshine, Charlotte. Thank you for coming.”

“Have you been endlessly cornered by bores? I would have rescued you sooner, but there is such a crush at your front door I could scarce get in.”

“We’ve never been so popular. Funerals hold a morbid fascination for some, I suppose. And an opportunity to gossip.”

“Your father was greatly admired. And people want to support you. Is there anything I can do?” She takes my hands in her own. “You must be utterly exhausted.”

“You can keep the countess of Framley away from me. She’s bound to make cutting remarks about Father not being laid to rest in a mausoleum.”