I stayed where I was in the half-light that heralded the passing of the day and breathed in the strange new air of Iskar.

From my bag, I took out the photograph that Miss Gillies had sent – a little curled at the edges – and peered into its image. The picture was of the twins and Hettie; none smiled for the camera. I had spent so much time over the past weeks in examination of their faces that I knew them by heart, but it was to Mary’s that I went again and tried to paint the information that I now held on to her features.

My gaze went to the mouth where her silence gave it new shape. Behind them stood Hettie, her eyes dark and intelligent, a twist of hair falling against a cheekbone. Peering closer, I saw that the surface of the picture was spoiled – that some flaw in the development had left William’s likeness slightly darker and more blurred than his sister’s.

I shivered – it was as if the photo itself foreshadowed the coming tragedy.

2

I was woken the next morning by the sound of waves rushing against shingle and the cry of gulls. Sun slipped in through a gap in the curtains. It took a few moments to orientate myself but checking the clock, I leapt from the bed, anxious that I had slept through and failed to emerge for supper. I washed and dressed quickly and made my way to the hall, where a maid I hadn’t seen before hummed quietly as she worked.

‘Good morning. Which is the dining room, please?’ I asked although the aroma of coffee already signalled the direction.

She ceased her tune and looked me up and down without a smile. ‘This way.’

Downstairs, Mrs Lenister was already dusting crumbs from the table. ‘I hope you slept well, Miss Swansome. Miss Gillies said that she will see you in the drawing room after breakfast.’

‘I didn’t mean to sleep through –’ I began, but she waved a dismissive hand.

‘Miss Gillies is always tired after visiting day; she said it was a blessing that you could both meet fresh this morning.’

I helped myself to bread and fish. The coffee was hot and welcome and I ate and drank quickly, keen to meet my new employer.

When I had finished, I brushed nervously at my skirts and knocked at the drawing room door.

She called for me to enter and I stepped inside. The corridor had been chilly, but here the fire warmed the air and caught in its glow the polished edges of occasional tables and elegant desks. Two large windows let in the autumn light, and my eye was drawn to a glass case of brightly coloured birds standing on a lacquered table.