“In Marcus’s case it seems to me more like an excuse for running away.”

“But there’s a time for that, too, for escape. Marcus needs to get away from this place, from the job, from the Manor, from you.”

“From me?” It was a quietly spoken response, without anger, as if this was a suggestion he needed to think over. His face gave nothing away.

She said, “From your success, your brilliance, your reputation, your charisma. He has to be his own man.”

“I wasn’t aware that I was stopping him from being his own man, whatever that means.”

“No, you aren’t aware. That’s why he has to go and I have to help him.”

“You’ll miss him.”

“Yes, George, I’ll miss him.”

He said, anxious not to sound intrusively curious but needing to know, “Will you want to stay on here for a time? If you do, I know Helena will be glad of help. Someone has to take over when she makes her trips to London. But I suppose you’ll want to get back to the university.”

“No, George, that isn’t possible. They’ve decided to shut down the Classics Department. Not enough applicants. And they’ve offered me a part-time job in one of the new departments they’re setting up—Comparative Religion or British Studies, whatever that may mean. As I’m not competent to teach either, I shan’t be returning. I’m happy to stay on here for at least six months after Marcus leaves. In nine months I should have made up my mind what I’m going to do. But with Marcus gone I can’t justify continuing to live here rent-free. If you’ll accept some rent, I’d be grateful to have this place until I’ve settled where I’ll go.”

“That won’t be necessary. I’d rather not establish any kind of tenancy here, but if you could stay on for nine months or so, that would be fine if Helena’s happy about it.”

She said, “I’ll ask her, of course. I’d like to make some changes. While Father was alive he so hated any fuss or noise, particularly workmen coming in, that there was no point in doing anything. But the kitchen is depressing and too small. If you’re going to use this cottage for staff or visitors after I’ve left, I think you’ll have to do something about it. The sensible thing would be to make the old pantry into a kitchen and enlarge the sitting room.”

Chandler-Powell had no wish now to discuss the state of the kitchen. He said, “Well, have a word with Helena about it. And you’d better speak to Lettie about the cost of redecorating the cottage. It needs doing. I think we could manage some renovations.”

He had finished his coffee and discovered what he needed to know, but before he could get up she said, “There’s one other thing. You’ve got Rhoda Gradwyn here, and I understand she’s coming back in two weeks for her operation. You’ve got private beds at St. Angela’s. London’s more appropriate for her anyway. If she stays here she’ll get bored, and that’s when women like her become most dangerous. And she is dangerous.”