It was a fine plan. A helpful one. Mr. Tremayne might have said that they needn’t go out of their way, but he could only be in one place at a time. Surely it would be to his advantage to have them asking questions too.

She dressed quickly and put her hair into a utilitarian braid that the wind wouldn’t be able to ruin in a matter of minutes. Today she meant to test the temperature of the water too. She had a bathing costume packed away, and she wanted to put it to use.

But for now she opened her door as quietly as she could, hoping Mabena had taken her advice and meant to sleep late. She deserved a holiday too, and there was no reason at all for her to be up at the crack of dawn just to assist Libby.

When she stepped into the living area, though, she saw her friend already at the stove, and Mabena greeted her with a grin. “I tried, my lady. It was no use. The sun seemed to work its way through my curtains and find my eyes within minutes of rising.”

She didn’t look at all unhappy with that, so Libby smiled back. “Sly thing. Did you sleep well?”

“Mm. Well enough. You?”

“Perfectly.” She moved to Mabena’s side to measure out their tea. “I mean to go down to the beach as soon as I can so I’ll have a bit of time for collecting before the other tourists arrive.”

“Good. I hate to think that you’ve promised away all your time.” Rather than shooing her from the kitchen as Mrs. Pepper had done on Wednesday night, Mabena handed her a spoon. “I’ll start at the bakery this morning and pick us up a few treats as well. I daresay Beth frequented the place while she was here.”

Libby spooned out the tea leaves and stole a sidelong glance at her friend. “How well do you know her?”

Mabena lifted a single shoulder in a shrug, but somehow it didn’t look quite right. “Well enough, as I do everyone on Tresco, especially those of an age. We always got along. She is, in fact, how I learned to dress hair and whatnot. She provided my recommendation when I applied for the position with you.”

Libby set the spoon down again, frowning at Mabena. There had been a strange undercurrent between her and Mr. Tremayne the other night, to be sure. But not the sort that came of having been employed by his household—that undercurrent was one Libby had plenty of experience with. No, it had been something else. Something she’d told herself not to wonder about.

But she had the hardest time not wondering about things. “I didn’t realize.”

“No reason you should have. What would we like for breakfast this morning?”