And then I knew I had to go.

I considered what I should say. It gave me something to think about. The wedding plans were going ahead, as Lady Harriet did not see why there should be any delay. I might not be exactly in love with Dougal, but I did not want to hear about them.

I said to my father, "I think I will go and see Polly."

"I know." He smiled. "You want to go and see that child they have adopted. You are very fond of her, are you not?"

"Well, yes ... and I am very fond of Polly."

"A good woman," he said. "Somewhat forthright, but good at heart."

I went, and as usual Polly was delighted to see me. I did not tell her where I intended to go, for I felt she would try to dissuade me. She would think I should not involve myself further in Lavinia's affairs. I had done so once and that had brought them Fleur and she could not regret that; but, as she would have said, once is enough.

I took a cab to Fiddler's Green. The driver looked at me in surprise but did not comment. I asked him to wait for me—not outside the house, but a little distance away.

He looked at me as though he thought I was on some nefarious mission. I wondered whether Lavinia had had the same experience.

I found my way to No. 20 Fiddler's Green. It was a tall house showing signs of what must have been an attempt at grandeur; but now the stucco was broken away and what should have been white was a dirty grey. Four steps leading to the front door were broken away; two mangy-looking stone lions stood on guard. Lavinia had told me to knock three times, which meant that I wanted Janine, who was on the third floor.

I did so and waited. It seemed a long time before Janine appeared.

She stared at me for a few seconds in amazement. Then she cried, "Drusilla! Whatever made you come here?" She lifted her shoulders. "You'd better come in," she added.

I was in a dingy passage with a staircase facing me. The carpet on the stairs was showing signs of wear and was threadbare in places.

We went up three flights and the carpet grew shabbier as we rose. She threw open a door to disclose a fairly large room, sparsely furnished. She turned to me, grimacing. "Now you see how the poor and needy live."

"Oh, Janine," I said, "I'm so sorry."

"Just my luck. Everything went wrong for me."

"I've wanted to know what happened since I heard of the fire."

"Everything lost ... Aunt Emily dead ... and all those people with her. That stupid George. It was his fault, you know. I told her how dangerous he was and that we should all be burned in our beds one night."

"Yes, he was certainly dangerous."

"Dangerous! He destroyed everything for Aunt Emily ... and for me, too. I was going to marry Clarence ... Oh, I know he was simple, but he adored me. He would have given me anything ... anything I asked. And then he died ... killed by that stupid George."

"He didn't know what he was doing. Oh, Janine, what a blessing that you weren't there on that night."

"Sometimes I've almost wished I had been."

"Don't say that."

"I do say it. How would you like to live in a place like this?"

"Do you have to?"

"What do you mean ... do I have to? Do you think I would if I didn't have to?"

"Surely there is something you can do? People of education usually become governesses."

"Well, I don't intend to."

"What will you do then?"

"I'm planning. It made me mad when I saw all that fuss over Lavinia Framling. When you think of her ... and that child ... and there she is queening it over everyone. It's not fair."

"One has to make up one's mind that life never is fair."

"I intend to get something out of it anyway."

"She told me you had asked her for money."

"She would! And why shouldn't she give me something? I helped her. Where would she have been without me? I reckon the noble Earl would not be so keen if he knew he was getting soiled goods."

"Don't be bitter, Janine."

"It's not so much bitterness as sound thinking. She has everything. I have nothing. Well, then, I think it is about time I took a share."

"You will regret this, Janine."

"I am sure I shall not. I want to start a business. I could, I am sure. Making hats. I think I'm quite clever at it. I know someone who has a little shop. If I could find the money I could go in with her. I have to have the money and I don't see why Miss Lavinia Framling should not provide me with some of it."

"You'll need more than fifty pounds."

She looked cunning. "I intend to have it."

"It's blackmail, you know, and that is a crime."

"Would she take me to court? That would be nice, wouldn't it? Miss Lavinia Framling bringing a charge against someone who knew she had an illegitimate child whose existence she was keeping secret. I can see her doing that, can't you?"

"Janine, it is not the way."

"You tell me another."

"I should think you could work ... work and save. You'd be happier that way."

"I certainly should not. In some ways you are a simpleton, Drusilla. The way you've worked to keep that little matter a secret ... and all for her. She's thoroughly selfish. Do you think she would have helped you in the same way?"

"No."

"Then why bother? Let her pay up or take what's coming to her."

She looked fierce and very angry, and I knew there was nothing I could say to divert her.

I looked round the room and she noticed my glance.

"Grim, isn't it?" she said. "You can see why I want to get out of it."

"I do, of course, and I am very sorry. Where were you that night?"

"You remember the Duchess?"

"Yes, I do."

"Her family decided they would take her back. They might have been ashamed of themselves dumping her on Aunt Emily like that—but I think perhaps it was something to do with money. They wanted to have her under their noses so that she couldn't make a will leaving it all to someone else. They didn't trust Aunt Emily. They weren't far wrong on that one. I had to take her home. There was no one else. It was too long a journey to make in one day, so I was to stay the night at the family's stately home. It was a bit different from this, I can tell you."

I nodded.

"So, you see, that's what happened. Everything gone in the fire. The house would have been mine. That was worth something. I could have started some business. But I wouldn't have had to because I would have married Clarence. I'd have been set up for life and now ... nothing. The place wasn't insured. How could Aunt Emily have been so foolish with madmen like George about!"

"But you were lucky not to be there."

"If you can call it luck."

"I've come to ask you to think again."

She shook her head. "No, she's got to pay. She has to give me some of what she's got."

"She doesn't have a large allowance."

"Then I want a share of what she's got, and when she marries her noble lord ..."

"Do you mean you will go on demanding money? You told her that the fifty pounds she gave you would be all."

"Well, it's not. I'm desperate, Drusilla. I'm not going to let a chance like this go by."

"You won't do it, Janine, I know you won't. You'll stop it. Whatever you feel—and I do understand your bitterness—it is wrong."

"It's right for me. It's time someone taught Lavinia Framling a lesson. She always thought she was superior to the rest of us because of that red hair."

"Oh, Janine! Listen. I shall come to see you again. I could take you back with me to the rectory. You could have a holiday with us. We might be able to find some work for you to do. We know a number of people, and if you were recommended by a rector it would be a help. You could stay with us until you found work. Leave this place ..."

She shook her head. "You are good, Drusilla," she said rather gently. "You are worth twenty of Lavinia."

I smiled. "My value has gone up. You told Lavinia twelve."

"I overestimated her. Actually she's not worth anything at all. I'm sorry for this earl. He's going to have a nice dance with her. She's one who can't leave the men alone. I've seen one or two of those in my time."

"I think she may settle down when she marries."

"I know you were top of the class, Drusilla, but you are a babe in arms when it comes to the facts of life."

"Do listen to me."

"I have."

"So you are going on with this ... blackmail."

"I'm going on getting money until I set myself up."

"It's a mistake."

"I'll be judge of that. Did you keep a cab waiting?"

"Yes."

"You'd better go then. He might not wait. He wouldn't believe anyone who came here would be able to pay him. He'll think you've made off."

"He didn't seem to think so and he said he would wait."

"I appreciate what you have done."

"If I hear of anything I shall come along and let you know."

She smiled at me and shook her head.

And that was all I could do at the time with Janine Fletcher, but I did not give up hope.

I avoided telling Polly where I had been. I knew she would have disapproved and told me to keep away. But I was sorry for Janine. I think in a way I always had been. She had had such a strange life; there appeared to have been little affection from Aunt Emily. Janine had been sent to an expensive school because Aunt Emily had had plans for a rich marriage and she must have intended to select one of her clients for her. Poor Clarence had been an ideal young man for the case. Oblivious of what was going on, affectionate to anyone who showed him kindness and rich into the bargain. He was like a puppet to be manipulated, and Aunt Emily had performed the manipulation with skill. And now ... instead of making a desirable marriage, poor Janine was alone and penniless; so she had taken to that most despicable of crimes: blackmail.