I will not dwell on the remainder of that night. I will only say that I returned to Thistle Street in tears, with one shoe missing, and my hair a-tangle under my broken hat.
Mrs Macfarlane nodded. "The night did not go well, then. Come with me, Miss Flockhart," she brought me into the drawing room and poured me a large glass of claret. "This may help."
I stared at her, saying nothing as my mind turned somersaults.
"Where is the elegant Captain?"
I shook my head, holding the glass in shaking hands.
"Drink," Mrs Macfarlane lifted my hand, so the glass pressed to my lips. "Did he misuse you, Miss Flockhart?"
I shook my head again.
"There"s been bad work though," Mrs Macfarlane nearly poured the claret down my throat. "Bad work." She grunted. "Will you be seeing Captain Rogers again, Mi
