“And that goes for all of us,” Harry added.
Cyril cut a piece of linen the size of a handkerchief and handed it to Valessa.
“I hope that this is not going to hurt,” she said to Lady Barton, “but I must get the wound clean!”
Lady Barton looked at her for the first time.
“Who are you?” she asked. “And what are you doing in this empty house?”
“I am – leaving,” Valessa said quietly.
She started very gently to wash the gash on Lady Barton’s arm, who gave a little scream.
“That hurts!”
“I am sorry,” Valessa said.
“Have another drink!” Harry suggested.
“All right, anything is better than feeling pain!” Lady Barton agreed.
Harry handed her the flask and she poured a great deal of its contents down her throat.
“Dammit!” she cried. “That was a fine run for the beginning of the Season. I
