Leo shoots me a look then that reminds me so much of my parents that I feel another chill run through me, and I cross my arms defiantly across my chest.

“Sir Hugh is a guest here, Beatrice,” Leo says, and there’s a note of steel in his voice. “I trust that I can rely on you to remember your manners.” With that he turns on his heel and walks away. I exhale slowly.

I watch my uncle move through the crowd and somewhere behind me I can hear Hero laughing at whatever Klaus is saying to her.

“Are you all right?” Ben asks.

“Oh yes,” I say brightly. “I’m fine. Disappointing my family members is something of a full-time occupation for me.”

“He shouldn’t be disappointed,” Ben says. “It’s a very good thing that you didn’t agree to model for Hugh Falmouth.”

“Filomena modelled for him,” I point out.

“And she didn’t seem keen to repeat the honour, did she?” Ben looks at me.

“No, I suppose not,” I admit. “And to be quite honest, the man gave me the heebie-jeebies.” I nudge him. “Not to mention that I’d be a complete disaster as a model. Can you imagine? I’d get bored and end up doing something outrageous.”

Ben grimaces. “God, that’s true.” He runs a hand through his hair and sighs. “I’d almost feel sorry for the man.”

“Hey!” I exclaim.

“You said it,” Ben retorts.

“Just because I said it doesn’t mean you have to agree with me,” I reply, biting back a smile.

“I can’t win.” He’s smirking now. “Even when I agree with you, it seems I’m in the wrong. It’s a special talent.”

“You’re a very talented individual,” I say. “Just too simple-minded for the subtleties of our conversation.”

“Ah, there you are.” Ben’s dimples appear, distracting me. “I was worried that you were being a bit too nice to me.”

“Trust me,” I say cheerfully, “that’s not something you ever need to worry about.”

Chapter Twenty-Seven

CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN

The next day I am surprised to find Filomena in the drawing room, taking tea with Sir Hugh.

“Oh, sorry,” I exclaim, checking my stride and coming to an abrupt halt. “I came in for my sketch pad.”

“Not at all.” Sir Hugh gets to his feet with a gentlemanly little bow. “It’s lovely to see you again, my dear. Won’t you join us?”

“Please do, Bea.” Filomena gestures to the chair beside her.

I hesitate, but I am curious about Sir Hugh, and Ben’s dislike for him. Ben himself has not been at all forthcoming on the matter, even muttering something about “curiosity killing the cat”, but I am a scientist and, as I pointed out to him, curiosity is one of my defining characteristics

Which is probably why I say, “Thank you. A cup of tea would be lovely.”