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softly I could only just hear her words, ‘But darling, she is a mouse.’
    ‘Don’t be unkind, Kerensa,’ were my husband’s words.
    I fled back to the morning room, my heart racing. I would show my husband and Miss Kerensa Templeton that I could indeed be anything but a mouse.

 
    3
     
    Sunday morning arrived and so did Justine just as Megan was arranging my hair. I knew we were to attend chapel today in the grounds of the castle, for Justine had told me only yesterday.
    ‘Good morning, Barbara,’ my sister-in-law said cheerily as she looked at Megan.
    It’s all right, Miss,’ said Megan to Justine, ‘I’ll just finish securing this pin and I’ll be gone.’ My maid obviously sensed that Justine wished to speak with me alone.
    ‘How are you today?’ Justine asked of me. ‘And is there an improvement in your relationship with my brother?’
    ‘Sadly no,’ I answered, ‘if it weren’t for Kerensa I feel there may be a chance.’
    ‘Why do you say that?’ asked Kieran’s sister.
    ‘Because Justine, I saw them together in the hall last evening,’ I told her honestly, recalling last night’s incident.
    What I failed to comprehend were Kieran’s words, ‘Because I cannot marry you.’ it was a very strange thing to say; little did I know that in the weeks ahead I would come to understand it.
    ‘No matter now,’ said Justine dismissing the problem, ‘I’ve come to ask you if you would like to choose one of my gowns to wear to chapel today?’ she asked looking at my dull brown dress.
    ‘I couldn’t,’ I uttered, the proud part of me coming to the surface.
    ‘I understand how you feel, but whatever you choose you are welcome to keep. I have gowns aplenty and it would tide you over until we are able to visit Mrs Harding, the dressmaker,’ Justine said kindly.
    ‘Very well,’ I agreed, for I knew that to go to the chapel in my present gown meant I would feel akin to one of the servants, who I knew from Megan would attend the morning service.
    ‘Splendid, come along to my room where we can assess the situation.’ Doing as I was bid I followed Justine further along the corridor and around a corner where we entered a smaller bedroom than mine, which was in truth a very feminine one, everything was pink, the heavy damask curtains, the bed hangings, the carpet and wallpaper boasting large pink roses, and the figurines dotted here and there on the mantel and small table were pink also.
    The only thing not pink was the white marble fireplace from which a fire burned lazily in the hearth. I stepped over to where Justine was opening her large wardrobe door, I gasped at the sight of its contents. Gowns of all hues and colours and various materials hung closely together.
    ‘This side of the wardrobe is where my winter gowns are hung,’ Justine told me, and I could see some were darker in colour. My eyes rested on a wine-coloured velvet gown with a white sable collar. ‘You have chosen I can tell,’ said my sister-in-law. Now tell me which one your eyes have alighted on for at last I can see a sparkle in their depths.’
    I laughed as I lifted out the gown, it was sumptuous and heavy and would no doubt keep me warm. The skirts were full and the back of the jacket fell over the skirts to a point, the buttoned bodice nipping in at the waist and the white sable sitting snugly at the neckline.
    ‘Can I really have this one?’ I asked.
    ‘Yes indeed, you have good taste, Barbara. Now let us get you into it,’ ordered my sister-in-law, already helping me out of my brown merino day dress. As I slipped into the velvet jacket, the material of the sleeves felt luxurious on my bare skin, the white sable at the wrists feeling soft and warm. Justine walked me over to a full-length mirror set in the wardrobe door.’
    ‘It’s beautiful!’ I enthused, ‘And the colours so rich and warm looking. Thank you,’ I said and gave Justine a well deserved hug. Never had I been dressed in something so sumptuous and