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“Absolutely” I force another s down the insincerity with a shisky because I can’t ie Or insist the only good thing about us is our name

As Isla’s hand slides away, she shifts in the low light, and I notice for the first time how pale she looks The shadows under her eyes al on with her, soument with her husband

And, like a colossal prick, I just expected her to play hostess tonight

A twinge of guilt pierces my chest When I’d pressed her this afternoon, she’d insisted we didn’t have ti when usually they’re bursting to fill h I sense their reticence has so marble statue from the reception hall

It’s been a strange ho Even the staff seem out of sorts, I consider as I catch McCain’s irritated expression froht to bring Griffin with hih he’s barely fifty, McCain is a butler of the old school where bastard sons are never ht into the fold

Sensing our guest is getting to the punchline, I nod a why he hasn’t bothered to see if Isla’s hand is stuck upme like a puppet It could be because the man has a deep sense of his own importance and a love of the sound of his own voice Or perhaps he thinks I’ Fuck, what do I care? Provided the money continues to roll in, I can nod and smile like an idiot quite happily for him

But what the hell is wrong with McCain? If Griffin is winding up Chrissy again

I turnas his eyes widen, his next step a long one as though to prevent—

—an allass andpeople they shouldn’t see People, or a person, more correctly, who isn't really here

“Oh, lass, wet droplets clinging to the sleeve of my jacket

“Are you all right?” I steady the glass in her hand Actually, no, she’s pushing it at me

“Excusethe way htens on it We have staff for that, I hope it says, not help s

Seeing someone I want but can’t have

Seeing her on her knees

In a frilly apron

Right here, in my ancestral home

My gaze follows nified McCain that he ht help clear up the mess

“Co around the crook of Holland’s upper arm before I’d even realised I’d crossed the room