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Kate leaned nearer. Suspended within the honey-coloured stone was a tiny dark shape, perfectly preserved, with what appeared to be delicate wings.

"An insect!" she exclaimed.

"Quite so. Trapped inside the resin of a tree long before any Roman thought to wear amber about his neck. It has been there for thousands upon thousands of years. Is that not fascinating?"

"Truly," she breathed, reaching out a finger to touch the smooth surface. "I believe it is a fly. Musca, although I cannot be certain of the species without examining it more closely. How extraordinary to think that something so like the insects that trouble us at the breakfast table has been preserved for so long."

"You have hit the nail squarely on the head, Miss Darcy!" he said, his face becoming almost boyish in his excitement. "That is precisely why I love what I do. It is like reaching back into the past and, for a moment, holding a vessel or a tool that someone used all that time ago. I know people think antiquarians and excavators are a dull lot, forever digging about in the dirt, but there is something quite magical about it. Do you not agree?"

They had stopped walking. Kate was not quite sure when it had happened, but they were now standing together on the gravel path, and Mr Briar was looking at her thoughtfully. His eyes were wide and watchful and some of his jovial persona had faded to something softer. She had no idea why they had stopped or what his last question had been, but she felt pinned in place by his gaze, like the fly held forever in amber.

Then she remembered that her father and Mina were some distance ahead. "We must try to stay with our party, sir," she said breathlessly, turning quickly and hurrying after them.

"Of course, Miss Darcy," he said, falling into step beside her. His voice was once more light and airy. "We must not be accused of neglecting your mother's instructions. Let us make haste."

By the time they reached the grotto, her father was already examining the old sundial. It stood on a stone pedestal beside the entrance, surrounded by a bed of yellow roses. Mina had abandoned her father in favour of a small frog she had discovered beside the pool and was crouched down attempting to sketch it before it hopped away.

"Ah, there you are, Katie Kat!" her father called as they approached. "I believe we have found the correct spot, although your mother has not made the business as straightforward as it might be. The clue says to seek our prize in the shade below, but I cannot see what she intends us to find."

Kate wished he would not call her Katie Kat in front of Mr Briar. It was quite bad enough that the gentleman seemed to regard her as a source of amusement without Papa addressing her as though she were still six years old. She joined him beside the sundial and bent to examine its base. The pedestal was broad and square, and although it stood in full sunshine, the stone face itself cast a shadow over the gravel at its foot. She knelt down and ran her fingers along the lower edge, discovering a small recess where the stone had been worn away. Tucked inside was a little brass disc, which she retrieved and held up.

"Here, Papa! I believe this must be it."

"Excellent, my love. I knew I was wise to insist upon having you on my team." He took the disc and examined it. The Darcy family crest had been stamped into one side, and on the other was a large number one. "Your mother has certainly gone to some trouble. Now, let us return and see what other tortures she has devised for us."

Mina rose from her position beside the pond with a sigh. "I have not finished my frog. He was sitting most agreeably until Papa began shouting, and now he has disappeared under a rock. I suppose I shall have to finish him from memory."

"You may come back and visit him later, my dear," said Darcy, holding out his arm to Kate. She took it gratefully, pleased to have an excuse to put a little distance between herself and Mr Briar. Mina was happy to keep his company, and before they had gone more than a few yards, she had begun questioning him.

"Would you allow me to paint you, Mr Briar?" she asked suddenly. "I think you would make an excellent Greek hero. Perseus, perhaps, or Bellerophon. I have been wanting to paint a scene with Pegasus for ages, and I believe you would suit the part wonderfully."

"I should be honoured, Miss Mina, although I fear my figure might disappoint you if you are expecting the proportions of a Greek god."

"Oh, I should not worry about that. You are quite tall and have lovely hair, and I can improve anything else that is not quite right. I have a wonderful idea of you standing beside Pegasus, although I shall have to persuade him to sit still. He is dreadfully uncooperative when it comes to art."

"Pegasus?" Mr Briar repeated. "You have a horse by that name?"

"No, silly! Pegasus is our dog. He is a spaniel, although I have always thought him quite as noble as any horse."

Nathaniel laughed. "Good Lord, is that the name of the little fellow who was attempting to make himself comfortable beneath the breakfast table this morning? The one who appears to believe he is a cat?"

"The very same," said Mina. "Papa says it is a ridiculous name for a dog, but I chose it when I was younger, and I think it suits him perfectly."

"Now that I know the fellow's name, I shall be sure to address him properly when next we meet. Although I cannot imagine he will make a convincing winged horse."

"Mina, my dear," Darcy called over his shoulder, "you must allow Mr Briar to enjoy his visit without putting him to work. I am sure he has better things to do than spend his afternoons posing for your paintings, however magnificent they may be."

"Oh, Papa, you said much the same thing when I wanted Uncle Richard to pose as Zeus, and look how well that turned out!"

"I remember it very well," said Darcy. "Your uncle insisted upon wearing a bedsheet and carrying a poker about the house for the better part of an afternoon. Your aunt Anne has not forgiven either of you."

Nathaniel burst out laughing. "Now that is a painting I must see, Miss Mina."

"Oh, I shall show you after luncheon," Mina promised. "I am particularly pleased with the thunderbolt."

Kate smiled to herself as they continued towards the terrace. Mina was already explaining the painting she had in mind, and Mr Briar appeared happy to humour her. It was curious how easily he spoke to everyone. Kate had known him for scarcely two days, and already he seemed quite at home amongst her family, while she still struggled to speak to him without making a fool of herself.

By the time they reached the terrace, her mother was surrounded by several teams, all clamouring for her attention. Uncle Richard appeared to be arguing about the interpretation of a clue, while Aunt Jane stood patiently behind him holding something wrapped in a handkerchief. Kate was pleased to see that her mother had abandoned her perch on the enormous flowerpot and was now seated behind a little table with a ledger open before her.