Hecate put on her dressing gown and left the room. Leaning over the banister to see a piece of black jacket, she decided that she was fed up of waiting and felt uncharacteristically vindictive towards the interrupter. She descended to find Jenny waiting for her with a teapot.

'Does he always do this?' She asked.

Jenny sighed.

'He has been known to drop in at unwanted moments. Mainly mornings.'

'How long will he keep her?'

'Who knows?'

Hecate felt a rush of irritation, stronger than usual. She had to examine this new swell of emotions unleashed by Ada's kiss, for no doubt that was what had changed her. She sipped her tea and listened but her mind was not on business. She grew impatient and stalked off towards the sitting room, Jenny in tow.

'Sorry Hecate, we'll be finished quite soon' said Ada sweetly, her expression signalling that she was already fed up. It was a hint that Mr Blossom seemed to register but he was still shuffling his papers in a way that made Hecate want to tear them up throw them out of the window.

'We've got a bit to get through' he warned. Hecate registered a tiredness in Ada's eyes that made her want to slap him.

'Mr Blossom, if it is going to take more than another few minutes, you should have made an appointment' said Ada. 'Hecate has already started to be involved in matters of the manor so from now on, we should be both present. If I had realised that it was going to take more time than you had me believe...'

Mr Blossom wasn't sure of what to make of the new wife in the manor. Before this, Hecate never would have appeared before anyone (who wasn't her family) in her dressing gown but today she was not in the mood to be polite. She slid her hands up Ada's shoulders and rested them there, staring at him like an owl. He shuffled his papers a tad nervously. Ada tried not to laugh. She reached up and stroked Hecate's hand, feeling a twitch, a tremble of the fingers. She dared to hope that Hecate was impatient to get back to bed.

'Well it is important.'

'If you insist on turning up unannounced, you shouldn't expect people not to feel inconvenienced' said Hecate. Behind her, Jenny raised her eyebrows. Ada felt like she really was going to laugh. Mr Blossom looked at her with his mouth open.

'Mr Blossom, how about some breakfast while we get ready? We won't be long' said Ada. Jenny installed him in a cosy spot overlooking the grounds and served him breakfast while Ada and Hecate went upstairs to make themselves a little presentable.

'I'm sorry about that.'

'Are you always this accommodating to drop-ins?'

'What excuse do I have not to?'

'You can tell them to come back another time' instructed Hecate.

'No wonder you failed at etiquette lessons.'

Hecate acknowledged that it was so. Ada sighed.

'I've already slid into doing what I've always done without considering you.'

'I understand your duties. I'm just frustrated that you are expected to be available without question.'

'That's what happens when you're not married.'

She stopped, feeling how odd that sounded now. She couldn't say it anymore. There was a whisper in the air that was different to how it was before, like the kiss had changed the direction of the wind. The invisible weathervane had swished above their heads and it was now pointing the other direction.

Ada apologised.

'Ada. I will do whatever is required of me in dealing with the estate. I will accompany you to parties and I understand the need for the guided tours. But if a visitor becomes too much, let me deal with them. You need to set a boundary and if they are so willing to take your time, it has to be worth your tiredness. I know Jenny is invaluable but you pay her to be polite. There are times where you need not be.'

Ada thought about it.

'You're right. I'm not doing enough to make time for you. I need to act like a married woman.'

'Ada. Neither of us have, we've taken time to adjust. But this morning has changed things. I've never been in the position to dislike someone so intensely after being interrupted. I'm way in over my head with the way I feel right now which would normally discomfit me but not when it's with you. I want some time alone with you once he leaves.'

Ada blushed. No one had ever spoken to her like that before.

Mr Blossom couldn't wait to leave after that.

'In future, do us the courtesy of scheduling an appointment first' Hecate reminded him on his way out. 'Do not take advantage of Ada's patience.'

Jenny had to fight to keep her face under control as she ushered him out, his face alight with shock. She was starting to see how Hecate and Ada would be good for each other.