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‘That is terrible news. Lottie, you should have told me sooner!’ Then more equably, she continued, ‘But I suppose for a fox-hunting man like him, death would be better than being so incapacitated that he’d never ride again.’ Leonora recalled her odd conversation with Hasterleigh’s own green witch, who had determined she would marry Curate Fopling. ‘Miss Vazey told me before we left for London that Richard Fopling’s father was not long for this world.’

Charlotte grasped her hand. ‘Do you think she really is a witch?’ Her eyes were wide.

‘I don’t know I believe in witches, although I do think Richard Fopling is some kind of angel.’ Leonora laughed. ‘I certainly think they’re particularly well suited.’

Leonora was sitting on the bed beside Charlotte and in the moment of intimacy and confidences, Charlotte asked one of the questions that had troubled her sleep. ‘What was the business Lord Rokeby had with you? He left in such a rage all eyes were upon him.’

Leonora hung her head for a moment. ‘Since the death of Captain Worth in Spain I thought my chance of love was lost for ever.’ She looked up to meet Charlotte’s sympathetic gaze. ‘But against all sense and expectation I have awoken to the possibilities of love again.’

‘For Lord Rokeby?’ Charlotte’s eyes flashed with delight.

‘I can hardly bring myself to voice such presumption. But yes, I fear my heart is his for ever, even should he care not to receive it.’

There was a bleakness in Leonora’s voice that clutched at Charlotte’s heart. She put out a hand and grasped hers. ‘Why is that presumptuous? Anyone would be lucky indeed to win your affections. Why should he not feel the same?’

Leonora continued in a faltering way, almost disbelieving of the tale herself. ‘When I was last at the Abbey with Nanny P, a Frenchwoman arrived and threw herself into his arms. Apparently, she had saved his life on the battlefield and nursed him back to health.’ She took a deep breath. ‘I’m ashamed to admit it Lottie, but I was filled with jealousy. As if I had any rights over him!’

‘So why did he leave the ball last night as if riding a storm?’

‘Because I was cloth-eared and did not listen to his own feelings on the matter. Instead, I allowed jealousy and suspicion to speak. I mentioned what Captain Ormonde had told me and he will not forgive me for giving the Captain’s words equal weight with his own.’

Charlotte squeezed her friend’s hand. ‘I sensed Lord Rokeby had touched your heart. But take courage. Love cannot end so easily – and through a misunderstanding too.’

‘I can only hope it is a misunderstanding and that his feelings for Madame Dupré go no deeper than respect and gratitude. My head is painfully confused with hope, then despair.’ Leonora turned her gaze on Charlotte. ‘But tell me, Lottie, why your long face when in the company of Captain Ormonde last night? He seems to have a talent for disruption.’

Charlotte bridled. ‘I think him a war hero who has suffered much and is much misunderstood!’

Leonora looked at her intently. ‘You sound as if you’re susceptible to him yourself?’

‘I don’t know what I feel. I like his company, his stories are so diverting, and I think him very handsome. But I don’t want to marry him.’

Leonora was startled. ‘Well then you most certainly must not!’

‘He feels ill-used, says a man like him without a fortune would not be able to consider himself a suitor for an heiress like me. That the Earl and his family would never agree to a marriage.’

‘Is this why he shows such animosity towards Lord Rokeby?’

Charlotte’s fair skin flushed, her own emotions hard to fathom even to herself. She said hesitantly, ‘I think he thinks he should right a wrong. He now claims he has evidence that one of the Rokeby brothers was in the pay of Napoleon and his generals. That they are not the heroes everyone thinks they are.’

Leonora felt her outrage flare again. ‘He cannot continue to spread such calumny. One brother died for his country, the other has injuries he will carry all his life. Does Captain Ormonde know better than the generals who of their men are the gallant ones?’ She leapt to her feet. ‘Lord Rokeby is in Town specifically to collect his brother’s Army Gold Medal. So few are awarded; if Ormonde truly has evidence to the contrary then he should take it to the authorities.’

‘I cannot think other than that my father and Lord Rokeby were heroes.’

‘Well, that’s what their commanding officers and the world considers them to be.’

‘If we were men, and proud and pig-headed enough, we could challenge Captain Ormonde to a duel.’ Despite their own troubled spirits, both young women managed to laugh at the vagaries of men. ‘But I mean it, Leonora. I am proud to have the blood of heroes in my veins and I will strive to prove myself worthy of them.’

Leonora stood up. ‘That can be an onerous burden to bear. Instead, aim to fully live your life, bringing happiness to yourself and others.’ She offered her hand. ‘Come on, Lottie. Get up and we’ll take the horses out for a ride in Hyde Park. That will blow all frowziness away.’

Lady Bucklebury was waiting for them at the breakfast table. ‘My dears, tell me about last night. I’ve heard the gossip already of my disreputable grandson turning up in the Countess’s ballroom with his hound. Tsk! So uncouth, but just what I would expect of Alistair. Talk had it he was in search of some unknown lady.’ Her eyes were twinkling. ‘Do any of you know the identity of the young woman?’

Mrs Priddy had just entered the room and she and Charlotte glanced at Leonora, who almost imperceptibly shook her head. Lady Bucklebury continued in a peevish voice. ‘That boy was always so secretive, so havey-cavey about his doings. You recall him when young, don’t you, Mrs Priddy?’ She turned to where Nanny P had settled into a chair with a cup of coffee.

‘I always found Master Alistair a most interesting child, full of spirit and generosity of heart.’

‘I’m afraid his father was not as amused. He was more chastised than any child I knew. It pained poor Venetia very much. My daughter felt she had no power to protect him.’

‘But his brother could.’ Leonora’s voice made them all turn to look at her.