Soon after dawn Petula climbed out of bed and dressed.
She had not been able to sleep despite the fact that they had come home early.
Her uncle had been angry with her. Just as she joined Lord Crowhurst, he had come from the house with a black look on his face which told her that he was incensed.
“Where have you been, Petula?” he asked sharply. “There was someone I wished you to meet and I could not find you.”
“It was so hot, Uncle Roderick,” Petula began, only to be interrupted by Lord Crowhurst who said,
“I am afraid your niece felt faint, Buckden, and it is not surprising seeing that as usual there are far too many people crushed into far too small a space.”
Her uncle did not answer, he merely took her by the arm and led her back towards the house.
As they neared the entrance, he
