I knew the polite thing would be to excuse myself and leave them alone. But I couldn’t tear myself away, so I just stood there like a spare dinner, not knowing what to say or do. I was saved when Beatrice came in and said she’d laid out a light supper for the two of them.

“Mrs. Shaw said you’d be on your way soon. No sense going anywhere on an empty stomach,” Beatrice said.

Ben got up from his chair. He turned to me and smiled. “It was a pleasure to meet you, Selkie,” he said. “I hope to see you again soon,” and went out to the dining room.

I nodded, disappointed at the news they were leaving so soon. Sinclair lingered after Ben left. “I’m sorry we have to leave,” he said, “but we have an engagement in the city.”

I realized then I’d been showing my feelings too much, so I gave him a wide smile. “It was lovely meeting you and Ben,” I said. “I hope you will visit again soon.” I reached out my hand to shake his, but he ignored it. I wondered if I’d made another mistake; did young ladies shake hands with gentlemen they’d only just met? I was busy scolding myself when he bent down and kissed me on the cheek.

“The pleasure was all mine,” he said softly. “And I intend to visit you again very soon.”

It was all I could do to hide the excitement that filled me. I managed a shaky “Goodbye, then,” before I walked, weak-kneed, out of the library, defying every instinct in me to clutch him and kiss him back.

* * *

In the days after Sinclair left, I hardly knew what to do with myself. I spent long hours watching out the window, hoping for a glimpse of the blue roadster roaring up the driveway. I didn’t want to ask Mrs. Shaw when he was expected back for fear she’d think me too forward. Besides, I didn’t want to give away my feelings for him.

I went back to my usual habit of spending time in the garden every afternoon with Silver. At first, she wanted nothing to do with me, running away every time she saw me. But, after a while, she began to sidle up beside me as I walked, and then one day she jumped back on my lap, purring louder than ever. I knew she was afraid Sinclair would be with me, and even though I’d tried to put that memory out of my mind, deep down inside me, it still bothered me. What was it that made her hate Sinclair on sight? I shrugged. Sure, how would I ever know what was in a cat’s mind?