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Maggie’s face fell. “What would you advise, then?” she asked slowly.

“That you keep Frank on tenterhooks for a while,” Lizzie responded promptly. “Let him court you a bit and tell him you do not mean to be worn to a frayed edge serving his family.”

Maggie flushed. “I couldn’t leave you to shoulder the burden, Lizzie,” she said awkwardly.

“Me?” Lizzie gave a short laugh. “I’ve done no more than brew a cup of tea for my in-laws. Benedict told me from the outset that we were our own separate concern.”

Maggie regarded her with round eyes. “You mean, you do not live all together?” Lizzie shook her head. It seemed to take Maggie a few minutes to absorb this startling news. “Then forgive me, but how can you know that Frank and Daphne – ”

“Frank and Jack shared one wagon and Ma Toomes and Daphne the other. Besides, Benedict told me himself that Frank had never so much as looked at Daphne that way. He could not be deceived.”

Maggie’s shoulders relaxed. She stared down at her cup and saucer a moment and then back at her valise. “But if I have not come back to Frank, then I do not know where I will go,” she said hopelessly.

“Well, as to that, I’m sure some other female performer must have a spare bunk to lend you. You must have had other friends apart from Aggie. If my friend Niamh were here, I could ask her, but they’ve gone on to Banbury.”

“There’s no one stood my particular friend like Aggie,” Maggie said mournfully. Her gaze faltered before Lizzie’s steady one, and she seemed to reconsider. “I was friendly with Sophia and Lily Farini at one time. Of the Farini Family Acrobats. I don’t suppose they are here?”

“Yes, I’m certain they are,” Lizzie answered gladly. “I’ve seen their tent myself. If you like, we could go and find them after we’ve finished our tea. I have money if they ask for board from you.”

Maggie made a quick gesture with her hands. “Oh no, I have money,” she said looking embarrassed. “Winifred insisted on paying me despite the fact I hadn’t finished out the month. You must not think me a charity case.”

Lizzie assured her she did not, and they duly set off for the main field with Sebastian in search of the Farini tent.

It was an hour or so later when Lizzie was stood at a lemonade stall with Maggie and Sophia Farini that she felt someone grab her arm and turned around to find her husband glowering at her.

“What are you doing here?” he demanded. “I just walked back to the wagon in search of you.”

Lizzie nodded her head meaningfully toward Maggie and Benedict glanced blankly a moment at her companions. “Hullo, Mags,” he said briefly and turned back to Lizzie. “Well? Are you done here, or can we get something to eat?”

“Excuse me,” Lizzie murmured in embarrassment to the two women, tugging his arm and dragging him aside. “Benedict,” she said in an urgent undertone, “Maggie has traveled all this way to try and resolve matters with Frank – ” she began only to find herself cut off mid-stream.

“So, I supposed,” he answered levelly. “And we should leave them to it.” He looked over Lizzie’s shoulder toward Maggie. “Frank was tidying things away in the boxing tent when I left him. He’s likely not strayed far.” Lizzie opened her mouth, but Benedict wrapped an arm about her shoulders. “Lizzie’s coming with me now,” he said firmly. Sebastian trotted over to his side. Lizzie just about managed to wish a flustered looking Maggie good luck before she found herself towed away.

“You weren’t very friendly,” she pointed out.

“She needs to fight her own battles, Lizzie. You can’t do it for her.”

“I know that, but I think she was hoping for some support.“

“We need to stay well out of it. It’s their affair.” He paused before the beer tent. “Do you want tea?” he asked abruptly.

“No, for I’ve drunk two cups in the last hour already.”

“Thank God for that,” he muttered and plunged inside the tent, pulling her after him.

Lizzie frowned. “I’m only trying to help. Maggie said that in the past you always exercised a beneficial influence and that things only broke down because you were in prison – ”

“That’s bullshit,” Benedict cut her off. “I’ve never done anything to interfere with Frank’s marriage.”

“I think she meant more in regards of you seeing your father off before he outstayed his welcome.”

Benedict snorted. “Well, that had nothing to do with Maggie and Frank. I can’t abide my father and never have.”

Lizzie shot him an exasperated look. “I know you and Jack are worried about your brother, so I don’t why you’re pretending otherwise.” When he said nothing, Lizzie persisted. “When we first arrived here, you seemed very put out that Maggie was not around anymore.”

He swung her around to face him. “What do you mean, I was put out?”

Lizzie looked at him with surprise. “Well, just that. Jack said she was worn ragged, and you said that Frank ought to have looked after her better. And you always seemed to resent Daphne being around.”