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Chapter One

Summer 1816, Number Nine

Mockingbird Square, Mayfair

Olivia was in tears again

Margaret Willoughby hesitated outside her cousin’s bedroom door Should she knock and ask what the ht before, and after a brief pause—no doubt to stifle her heartbreaking sobs—Olivia had answered that she was perfectly well Just a slight headache Nothing to worry about!

Williaaret tried to , but he seearet since she’d arrived in London from Northumberland

Olivia’s husband, Rory Maclean, said that William knew a kind heart when he met one He’d smiled when he said it, and Rory had the sort of smile that would make most women’s hearts flutter

As far as Margaret are, Rory had never looked at another woman, not since he’dThe reason was farhusband

They had been so happy up until a week ago, but then Olivia’s father had paid thee of disaster and Margaret didn’t knohat to do about it She wasn’t sure there was anything she could do, which was a pity For purely selfish reasons, she had very bird Square

She knocked “Livy? Open the door Please”

A sniffle and then footsteps approaching The door cracked open on Olivia Maclean’s woebegone face

“Oh Livy”

“There’s nothing you can say,” her cousin spoke in a strained, husky voice “I know you told e, but I was so sure”