Charlotte looks at me as if I have taken leave of my senses. “Lilith, darling, these are my parents we are discussing. They have no notion of ‘managing’ when it comes to servants. They think the setup you have here quite extraordinary. No, it will be down to me to save them, I fear. I shall simply have to marry well, marry quickly, and marry money.”

“Well, that sounds straightforward. Have you a lucky groom in mind?” I ask, sitting on the chair next to her.

“Don’t tease me. All very well for you to be smug. You know you’ve bagged one of the few decent bachelors going. How is darling Louis?” Charlotte settles deeper into the chaise and savors more gin.

“He’s very well, thank you.”

“Counting the days to the wedding, no doubt. Should be quite an occasion. Though so sad he won’t have his dear father there.” She pauses for form’s sake before adding, “Still, nice to be marrying an earl instead of a viscount, one would imagine.”

I know I should disapprove of so many things about Charlotte, but she has been a stalwart friend to me through difficult times, and she does make me smile.

“I’m sure the perfect knight, armor gleaming, will come galloping up to your door any day now, begging for your hand,” I tell her.

“Huh! I’ve had precisely two proposals of marriage since the beastly war ended. One was from a friend of Father’s who is more than twice my age, and the other from Sticky Stackpole. I mean, really. Someone has to tell him that cultivating an abundant mustache will not disguise the fact that he has a weak chin and an even weaker mind.”

“But he is ridiculously rich.”

“There is no such thing, Lilith. Which you should very well know. Once you and Louis unite the Montgomery and Harcourt fortunes you will be quite the wealthiest couple in London, shouldn’t wonder.” She is thoughtful for a moment and studies me closely. “You are looking a little thin. Are you eating properly?”

“Now you sound like Mama.”

“You won’t do that gorgeous gown justice if you’re all thin and scrawny.”

“I’ll bear that in mind.”

“Most likely wedding day nerves getting to you.”

“It’s weeks away yet.”

“But it will be a splendid event. Any girl would be a bit jittery, I’d have thought. So long as that’s all it is?”

“What do you mean?”

She sits up and puts her hand on mine. “You are happy about marrying Louis, aren’t you? Oh, I know I joke about marrying for money and all that, but you understand what I truly believe, Lily. One should marry for the right reason. You do love him, don’t you?”

“Of course I do,” I reply with practiced ease, though I no longer know whom I am trying to convince more, Charlotte or myself.