Best Kept Secret

stifle a laugh. ‘But I’m afraid you’ll have to count me out. I have to
get back to Cambridge as I have a supervision to prepare. In any case,’ she added, ‘I came dressed for a funeral, not a dinner party. Don’t bother to show me out.’

    Giles was waiting in the drawing room when Harry and Emma came down for dinner.
    Marsden poured them each a dry sherry, then left the room to check that everything was running to schedule.
    ‘A sad occasion,’ said Harry. ‘Let’s drink to a great lady.’
    ‘To a great lady,’ said Giles and Emma, raising their glasses as Virginia swept into the room.
    ‘Were you talking about me, by any chance?’ she asked, without any suggestion of irony.
    Giles laughed, while Emma could only admire the magnificent silk taffeta gown that swept away any memories of Virginia’s mourning weeds. Virginia touched her diamond and ruby necklace to
make sure Emma hadn’t missed it.
    ‘What a beautiful piece of jewellery,’ said Emma on cue, as Giles handed Virginia a gin and tonic.
    ‘Thank you,’ said Virginia. ‘It belonged to my great-grandmother, the Dowager Duchess of Westmorland, who bequeathed it to me in her will. Marsden,’ she said, turning to
the butler, who had just returned, ‘the flowers in my room are beginning to wilt. Perhaps you could replace them before I retire this evening.’
    ‘Certainly, m’lady. When you are ready, Sir Giles, dinner is served.’
    ‘I don’t know about you,’ said Virginia, ‘but I’m famished. Shall we go through?’ Without waiting for a reply, she linked arms with Giles and led them all out
of the room.
    During the meal, Virginia regaled them with stories about her ancestors, making them sound like the backbone of the British Empire. Generals, bishops, cabinet ministers, and of course a few
black sheep, she admitted – what family doesn’t have one or two of those? She hardly drew breath until the dessert had been cleared, when Giles dropped his bombshell. He tapped his wine
glass with a spoon to ensure he had everyone’s attention.
    ‘I have some wonderful news to share with you,’ he announced. ‘Virginia has paid me the great honour of consenting to be my wife.’
    An uneasy silence followed, until Harry eventually said, ‘Many congratulations.’ Emma somehow managed a weak smile. As Marsden uncorked a bottle of champagne and filled their
glasses, Harry couldn’t help thinking that Elizabeth had only been in her grave for a few hours before Virginia had fulfilled her prophecy.
    ‘Of course, once we’re married,’ said Virginia, touching Giles gently on his cheek, ‘there are bound to be a few changes around here. But I can’t imagine that will
come as much of a surprise,’ she said, smiling warmly at Emma.
    Giles appeared so bewitched by her every word that he simply nodded his approval whenever she came to the end of a sentence.
    ‘Giles and I,’ she continued, ‘plan to move into Barrington Hall soon after we’re married, but as a general election is on the cards, the wedding will have to be put off
for a few months, which should give you more than enough time to find somewhere else to live.’
    Emma put down her glass of champagne and stared at her brother, who didn’t meet her gaze.
    ‘I’m sure you’ll understand, Emma,’ he said, ‘that we’d like to begin our married life with Virginia as the mistress of Barrington Hall.’
    ‘Of course,’ said Emma. ‘Frankly, I’ll be only too happy to return to the Manor House, where I spent so many happy years as a child.’
    Virginia glared at her fiancé.
    ‘Ah,’ Giles eventually managed. ‘I had intended to give Virginia the Manor House as a wedding present.’
    Emma and Harry glanced at each other, but before either of them could speak, Virginia said, ‘I have two elderly aunts, both of whom have recently been widowed. It will be so convenient for
them.’
    ‘Giles, have you even considered what might be convenient for Harry and me?’ asked Emma, staring directly at her brother.
    ‘Perhaps you could move into one of the cottages on the estate?’ suggested Giles.
    ‘I don’t think that would be appropriate, my darling,’ said Virginia, taking his hand. ‘We mustn’t forget that I plan to have a large household, in keeping with my
position as the daughter of an earl.’
    ‘I have no desire to live in a cottage on the estate,’ said Emma, spitting out the words. ‘We can afford to buy our own home, thank