Faro was wondering how he was expected to respond to this burst of enthusiasm when she sighed deeply, troubled no doubt by thoughts of her royal friend and companion.
'We're all doing as much as we can, miss, to find your mistress,' he reminded her gently.
Straightening her shoulders, she said sternly, 'And that is precisely why I am here, Inspector. I am absolutely certain that she must have reached Her Majesty by now. That was the prime intention of this visit. Lethie was to be an overnight stay only, renewing old acquaintance with - with my family who have served hers so well. Why then has there been no word to them - or to me? She is such a thoughtful person, I assure you. She cares deeply about her friends and those who serve her.'
Again she looked at Faro, who could think of no answer beyond nodding in agreement.
'I keep thinking of her sitting in Balmoral Castle - at this very moment, Inspector, perhaps believing that I was drowned that awful night. Do you think it is possible, as I suggested to you, that she has sent word to Lethie Castle and some misfortune has befallen the messenger? Have you any means of finding out?
When Faro didn't respond, she put a beseeching hand on his arm. 'I must find her. Please, Inspector - you must take me to her. She will be so relieved to know that I am unharmed.'
Faro stared at her, at a loss for appropriate words. Or any words, in fact. His hesitation was mistaken and she went on hastily: 'Oh, I'm not reproaching you in any way, Inspector, please don't think that. I do regard your efforts most highly. I'm sure you have our best interests at heart. Indeed,' she added with an engagingly shy smile, 'I think of you as a friend almost.'
Faro bowed, and playing for time and some suitable response to Miss Fortescue's proposal, he removed the fireguard and attempted to light the fire which Mrs Brook had set in readiness. As it smoked dismally, he said: 'I'll just go and see how your cape is drying, miss. If you'll excuse me.'
She smiled. 'I imagine that your wife is used to such weather and dealing with emergencies like drying wet garments.'
'I'm not married, miss.'
'Oh, I'm sorry.' She looked round with a puzzled frown. 'Then you have a very good housekeeper - this room has a woman's touch.'
'That is so. This is her day off. However, I shall endeavour to make you a cup of tea.'
Having put on the kettle, he returned to find her looking out of the window. 'This is such a pretty house, Inspector. I love these small rooms. Such lovely windows and what a delightful view,' she said, pointing across to the commanding mass of Arthur's Seat.
Faro suppressed a smile. The rooms with their high ceilings could only be classed as small by comparison. 'Hardly what you're used to in a palace, miss.'
'I know. But it's all so charming. Palaces are hateful places to live in, I assure you. There is so little comfort, vast rooms with inadequate fires to heat them, miles and miles to walk every time one wants something that isn't there.' She clasped her hands delightedly. 'I would give anything to live in a little house like this.'
'Excuse me, miss - the kettle -'
When he returned, she was sitting close to the dead fire, her arms clasped tightly together.
Faro sighed. 'I'm afraid that's beyond redemption, miss. It is chilly in here.'
Politely she suppressed a shiver. 'Just a little.'
'It's warmer in the kitchen, miss, a good fire down there. Would you care -'
'I would indeed.' And seizing her bag, she followed him downstairs. There her admiration of his home now extended to Mrs Brook's domain. She looked around at shelves and cupboards as if she had never encountered a kitchen before, exclaiming with delight over gleaming brass saucepans and rows of china plates.
'You should see our kitchen in the castle. It's a terrible place, big and gloomy as a dungeon. Oh, do please - allow me -'
And Faro, rather relieved, handed her Mrs Brook's precious tea-caddy. Watching her, he suddenly laughed out loud.
'What is so amusing?' she asked.
'You're better than I am at tea-making. Of course, I should have expected that in a lady-in-waiting. I suppose it's part of your duties.'
She smiled. 'Not really. It's usually brought in all prepared. And as he took out Mrs Brook's cake: 'I'd love a slice of that -
As she ate, Faro, having reassembled his thoughts, decided he must escort her back to Lethie Castle immediately. Her impulsive action involving a wearisome double journey was a nuisance and a waste of his time, but he could sympathise with the anxiety and boredom that had driven her to escape for the day.
The Lethies, he guessed, would by now have discovered her absence. Perhaps she did not realise in her sheltered life in Luxoria that in respectable society, ladies of gentle birth did not promenade the streets and shops of Edinburgh, even during the day, unescorted or without a maid in attendance. And despite the note she had left, Sir Terence and his wife would be frantic with anxiety when they realised she had gone off alone.
He sighed. Somehow on the way to Aberlethie he must tactfully get her to understand that he had no authority to set out for Balmoral Castle with her and make an impromptu visit to the Royal residence on the assumption that her mistress was already there.
If only he could believe that were true, what a happy man he would be.
He smiled at her, so pretty and gentle. And safe too, when just a few hours ago, while she was promenading along Princes Street, he feared she might have been in grave danger. What an opportunity the
