Trust you to drop a bomb at the very end, Sarah! So Lucius was stabbed but, of course, it had to be said quite nonchalantly, so as not to worry anyone at Swanley, least of all Marc who is even forbidden the knowledge. Well done!
Miss Tissot is a welcome new entry, as well as little Jane. I'm even thinking of her father, in terms of a surprise return much like Captain Sanderville's in Ophelia's Opportunity. I'm sorry! I have to stop imagining things but really, it's one of the things I like most about reading, that it sets the imagination free
Oh, Sarah, you called Libby Mrs. Freemantle when Lucius first wrote to her. I'm sure it was an unintentional slip, but still a good omen that she'll soon be a "Mrs." for real.