The Duke of Bedford (a progressive landowner whose estates were both productive and profitable, and whose annual “sheep shearing” was an event that drew farmers and landowners from all over the midlands to his estate in Bedfordshire) had heard that Lord Kittridge was interested in developing his own herds and had generously invited him to Woburn Abbey to exchange ideas. With the assurance from his wife and his sister that they would do very well without him, Kittridge accepted the invitation and, early on a cold February morning, set out for Bedfordshire. Cassie had risen at dawn to see him off. Eunice, however, being neither wife nor lover, had not felt any need to deviate from her usual habit of sleeping until midmorning. Thus, as soon as Robert left, Cassie found herself alone at the breakfast table and utterly miserable. She did not know why her husband’s departure left her feeling so bereft, for he was hardly an affectionate companion when they were together, but the feeling persisted anyway.
