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‘But she is not a fool. She’s also underage and cannot ally herself with anyone without permission from the Earl, whom I presume is her guardian.’

Lady Livia rode up to join them and Leonora and Mr Lockwood broke off their conversation. ‘Mr Lockwood, the afternoon is growing colder, I think Lord Rufus and I will be riding back to Grosvenor Square.’ Her regard had fallen on George Lockwood and she seemed to be hesitating, as if hoping he would decide to join her and her brother.

He did not move and instead tipped his hat. ‘Thank you, Lady Livia, for your company. I look forward to seeing you at the Duchess’s ball next week.’

Leonora and Charlotte also bade them farewell as Lord Dearlove called to them over his shoulder, ‘I’ll deliver your invitations tomorrow.’

Captain Ormonde and George Lockwood accompanied the young women back to Bucklebury House. They rode in silence, Davy keeping a discreet distance at the rear. The men were hailed by various riders and drivers as they passed, which would have piqued Leonora’s interest had she not been so concerned with how subdued Charlotte had become. The men dismounted and Captain Ormonde went to Charlotte’s side to help her down. She gave him a polite smile as she unhooked her leg from the pommel and slid down Iris’s side. He put up his hands and caught her firmly round the waist and swung her to the ground. Holding her for a moment close, he looked meaningfully into her face and gave one of his dazzling smiles. ‘Farewell then, Miss Blythe,’ he said, bringing her hand to his lips.

George Lockwood offered to help Leonora dismount and once she was standing before him, took her hand in farewell. ‘We will meet again, at the Hungerford ball, it seems.’ His expression was wry and seemed to Leonora to convey a variety of thoughts: that he had much more he wished to say; would rather he did not have to bother with attending another Society ball; and was concerned about Charlotte. Davy led their horses back to the stables and Leonora and Charlotte ran up the front steps and entered the house.

Leonora drew Charlotte into the morning room and closed the door. She took her hands and asked her urgently, ‘Are you recovered from your fright?’ They sat down together on the small sofa in the window.

‘Oh yes, it’s just I’m missing Mama Mildmay and home. I really don’t care for all this fuss about parties and balls and what I can and cannot do. I don’t want to be an heiress, it just complicates matters. And I don’t want to be married…’ Charlotte’s voice tailed off.

‘I know. It’s all new and is a challenge when we have lived such a simple life and largely pleased ourselves. But surely you’d like to have your own family? And be mistress of your own household, not always living in the homes of others?’

Charlotte hung her head. ‘I would. But would rather marry someone who lives near Hasterleigh, so I can visit you still. Someone who loves the country as we do.’

‘Well, you may well find such a person in Town. Every country gentleman comes to London to do the Season and that is when you are most likely to meet him. What do you think of Lord Dearlove?’

‘He’s amiable enough. And very handsome, ’tis true. But he doesn’t seem to take anything but his cards and horses seriously. I don’t think he’d be a very attentive husband.’ Her face had grown even more doleful.

Leonora squeezed her hand. ‘Someone who seems very attentive is Captain Ormonde.’

Charlotte suddenly blushed. ‘He is. He’s very charming and talks to me as if what I have to say is of interest to him. But he does not have a fortune and I doubt Lord Rokeby would give his permission for us to marry.’

This startled Leonora. Had things progressed so far? ‘Do you wish to marry him?’ She looked into her face with a searching gaze.

Charlotte pulled her hand away. ‘No! I told you I don’t want to marry anyone, but I fear he’ll be the person most interested in marrying me!’ A tear rolled down her cheek. ‘I feel that if I don’t manage to find a husband during this Season, I’ll be a failure. It’s all so confusing.’

‘I know it is. But you are not to feel a failure. Look at me, I don’t feel thus.’

‘But I have been given this dowry and Grandmama has opened her house to me to effect such an outcome. If I fail it will be solely because of me.’

Leonora patted her arm in sympathy. ‘We are only at the beginning of something we said we’d consider an adventure. Now, let’s find your courageous self again.’ A glimmer of Charlotte’s customary brightness of spirit returned. Leonora continued, ‘What about Mr Lockwood? He is a man who loves the country and will live in the heart of Hasterleigh.’

‘He’s the best man of them all but,’ she hesitated, ‘you know I’ve always thought that he was meant for you.’

Leonora laughed. ‘Oh, dear Lottie. Remember my father’s favourite saying? The best-laid schemes of mice and men often go awry. We fondly think we know what is best only to be soon confounded.’ Her face turned pensive. ‘I too have had my hopes shown up as foolish. We can only try to live like Curate Fopling, at one with the creatures of the natural world. To find who we are and what will make us happy.’

Charlotte brightened and grasped her friend’s hand. ‘Mama Mildmay’s last letter had some interesting news.’ She extracted it from her reticule. ‘Mr Fopling is often seen on his parish duties with Little Grace, accompanied by Miss Vazey and her dog. Silas too is completely recovered from his gunshot wound and his new dog is almost as well trained as his beloved Molly. And Jane Chetwode.’ Charlotte looked up and said, ‘You remember she and her mother moved into the Grove and you asked them to our musical evening.’ She returned to the letter to read, ‘She’s assumed responsibility from Reverend Mildmay for the Sunday school, which is a relief.’ She smiled. ‘Oh, how I miss the comfortable certainties of home.’

‘Why don’t you rest, and I’ll go and tell the Countess about the ride in the Park and the promise of invitations for the Hungerford ball.’

‘Oh, thank you! I haven’t got the energy for Grandmama.’

Leonora did not know that she had the energy either, but she was keen to see Mrs Priddy, whose presence alone calmed her spirit. She knocked and walked into the drawing room, still wearing her riding habit and no doubt looking a trifle dishevelled. ‘Lady Bucklebury, Mrs Priddy, good afternoon,’ she greeted them. Mrs Priddy rose from her seat in the window, ‘Nora my dear, how was the expedition to Hyde Park?’

‘It was so good to be riding again. Lord Rokeby’s horses are beautiful. Thank you, Lady Bucklebury, for being so thoughtful as to send for them.’

Lady Bucklebury was sitting by the fire and her eyes flickered over Leonora, appraising her outfit and person. ‘I’m so glad they are up to snuff but I assure you it wasn’t my idea to send for them. The Earl decided you should both have some fine mounts to ride while you are here.’

‘Unfortunately, one of the Park dogs bit Miss Charlotte’s horse, and she bolted.’

Mrs Priddy took Leonora’s arm in alarm. ‘Is she all right? One of your father’s tenants was killed when his horse bolted through a wood and he was knocked off by a branch, stone dead.’

‘Nanny P! Luckily Captain Ormonde appeared and helped rein her mare in.’ Leonora then turned to Lady Bucklebury. ‘Lord Dearlove and his sister were also there, and he said he could obtain for us invitations to the Duchess of Hungerford’s ball.’