I was more than a little surprised to hear from Lucy soon after the wedding. It seemed that she intended to visit Moonacre with her brother the following week. I was a little disturbed by something that she wrote,

"My brother has expressed a desire to spend time with you, dearest Maria, and I am eager to encourage this, in the hope that time will allow us to become even closer than we are now."

I could only take this to have one meaning and it was not one that I was prepared to consider at the moment. I liked Adam, it was true. He was very handsome, tall, dark and impeccably dressed, but I wasn't sure that I desired any increase in intimacy with him. I wasn't sure how someone like him could fit into my Moonacre world.

However, the invitation had been issued in London and now it was being accepted, there was little that I could do except wait for my friend and her brother. Indeed, after the excitement of the wedding had worn off, it might even be thought of as a welcome diversion, and I did enjoy Lucy's company.

I explained to Robin that my friends were coming and that I might not be able to see him as much as possible. He had heard me mention both Lucy and Adam before and he suggested that we would all be able to go out together and perhaps even borrow the open carriage for a day trip to the beach. I was relieved to know that he would help me entertain Lucy and her brother as I felt certain they would be disappointed with the lack of society here.

He asked me numerous questions about them, he was always very curious about the parts of my life that he wasn't involved in. I found myself having to describe their appearance and manners, and in Lucy's case, her likes and dislikes. I couldn't offer much information about Adam as I didn't know him that well.

On the day of their arrival, I stood in the doorway as the carriage made its way up the drive and I only made my way into the daylight as Adam jumped down from it. Digweed appeared and took the horses and carriage away as soon as Adam had helped Lucy down. My friend looked shaken by the journey and I immediately bore her into the house, where refreshments were waiting for them.

Lucy was soon revived by the treats which Marmaduke had prepared and so I suggested that they might like to freshen up after, what I knew only too well to be, a long and tiring journey. The rooms that they were to occupy had wonderful, uninterrupted views over the valley. In the distance, the sea could be seen sparkling as it met the sun's rays.

"It's beautiful, Maria." Lucy said, "but isn't it frightfully empty?" I assured her that it was easy to get used to the peace and tranquillity of the valley, and then having seen that their luggage was brought up and that they had everything they required, I left them to restore themselves.

As I waited in the conservatory with Uncle and Loveday, there came a tapping at the window and I looked over to see Robin. I ran to let him in and he presented me with a small bunch of marigolds tied with something that looked suspiciously like another one of my ribbons. I was about to tease him about this, when a noise from the other end of the conservatory drew our attention that way.

Lucy was standing in the doorway, Adam at her side. Until that moment, I hadn't realised how beautiful Lucy really was. She had blonde ringlets framing her perfect oval face. Her blue eyes glittered and her white teeth sparkled. She shone and I felt plain and dowdy. It took me a moment to remember my manners and then I mentally shook myself and stepped forward.

"Uncle Benjamin, please allow me to introduce my friends Lucy and Adam Fairchild to you."

My uncle rose in greeting and I was struck by the difference in his greeting me on my arrival and his greeting of my friends. Loveday joined Uncle in welcoming them and wishing them a pleasant stay. A small cough behind me reminded me that Robin was still there and I introduced him to the visitors. I looked on in amazement as Lucy blushed when Robin pressed her hand to his lips and felt more than mild irritation when he held her hand for a trifle more than was absolutely necessary.

Adam claimed my attention by asking me some trivial question about the house as Digweed served tea, and soon I found myself sitting by Adam while Robin and Lucy sat at the other side of the room. I found it difficult to concentrate on Adam's words because I was busy trying to listen to a different conversation. I found it most vexing that they were both speaking so softly and I finally had to admit defeat.

Adam continued to ask me questions about the house and now he moved onto the gardens. It suddenly occurred to me that women are often accused of being overly curious, but both Robin and Adam had to be worse than any woman. Did they ever stop asking questions? I took the opportunity to propose a stroll around the gardens before dinner and Adam readily agreed. I was mortified when Lucy protested; she was tired and would prefer to stay indoors. Adam suggested that Robin might like to stay and keep her company and I was forced to endure his company alone as we wandered around the gardens.

It was no better at Dinner. I was placed next to Adam and Lucy sat with Robin. My two best friends laughed and joked together and I was left to entertain Adam. He made every attempt to amuse me and I became conscious of my lack of manners and determined to make more of an effort. By the time dinner ended and we made our way to the Drawing Room, Lucy and Robin weren't the only two people laughing and joking, but I knew my laughter was superficial. I was unbelievably jealous as I followed them.

We did not stay up late on that first night, Loveday knew how tiring the journey from London was and she insisted that the party broke up fairly early so that Lucy and Adam would be sufficiently rested for the next day.

Robin took his farewells, pressing a kiss to Lucy's slender fingers, shaking Adam's hand and ruffling my hair as if I was his little sister. I felt rage rise up in me and I looked at him in fury. He didn't appear to notice as he left smiling and waving.

I walked with Lucy up to her room without speaking. I couldn't think of anything to say to her. She broke the silence as we reached her door,

"Why didn't you tell me there was such a handsome young man here?" I looked at her dully. "Oh come on, Maria, surely you have noticed?" I shook my head. Of course I had noticed Robin and yes, I liked the way he looked, but he was my best friend. I didn't want anyone else noticing him. Especially not someone as beautiful as Lucy.

"He has invited us to the de Noir castle tomorrow," she went on eagerly, "and I agreed, as long as that is alright with you. He said they have been making all sorts of changes and he was going to show us."

"No it's not!" I wanted to scream at her, but I swallowed my words and replied that it was a good idea, the castle was very impressive and Adam was sure to find something to ask questions about. She looked at me in surprise,

"Has Adam been annoying you?" she asked.

"No," I regretted my outburst immediately. "He just asks so many questions. I felt like I was being tested, Lucy."

"I think he just wants to get to know you better. I'll tell him to stop, if you like." She offered, but I shook my head. I might need Adam and his interminable questions if Robin and Lucy were going to desert me.

We hugged and I wished her goodnight. I trudged sadly up to my room. What was I going to do if Robin fell in love with Lucy? Who would I roam the woods with? Who would I dance with and laugh with? I couldn't see Adam filling that place. I felt so alone.

When I reached my room, I saw that the marigolds which Robin had brought for me had been placed in a vase on my dresser, usually I loved to have his flowers around me but tonight, this only increased my angst. I was tempted to smash them on the floor, but it wasn't the flowers' fault I was so miserable, so instead I removed my little robin from its ribbon and threw it across the room.

It was petulant, but it made me feel better for a short while until sadness overtook me and I lay on my bed and cried pathetically. Jealousy wasn't an emotion that I had ever really encountered before and I wasn't prepared for the way it made me feel so wretched now.