“What have you done, may I enquire, with that niece of mine?”

Emma finally found the words she was looking for to try and keep Bram in his place. She was forced to puff and blow ineffectually before each phrase, at a huge curling vane of exotic plumage, to ensure it didn't insert itself between her sneering lips.

Bram was soon into his stride as the worst liar this side of the Humber. He could feel Thirza's eyes boring into him from the midst of the reedbed, willing him not to give her away.

“I...I...erm...think Thirza has already left to wave off her brothers...that is, Lady Charlesworth, your nephews, when the fishing fleet sails...in de Noordzee!”

English was deserting him. Bad sign.

- CLOUDHOVER SOLSTICE Ch 3 A Lock and a Leaving