Novella looked blankly at the stranger.
“I am sorry, have we met before? I do apologise if so, but understandably, I am not quite myself.”
“No, my Lady, I have not had that pleasure. But it is a fine house you have here. Well worth the asking price.”
Novella stared at him in horror.
“I do beg your pardon?” she said, but the man had disappeared to catch up the rest of the group.
Just then, Mrs. Armitage appeared.
“Ah, my Lady,” she began.
“Mrs. Armitage,” interrupted Novella, “who are these strange people wandering around? Surely they have not come to see Mama’s lying in?”
“Oh, no, my Lady. That would not be possible at any rate, seeing as how her Ladyship’s body has already been taken to the undertakers.”
“But – but, how can that be when we have not had the lying in? People from t
