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Sybella offered her the honey. ‘It’s delicious this year. We had such a good summer for wildflowers.’ Her face softened as she looked closely at Lucie. Her sister’s blue eyes were troubled and she seemed a trifle distracted. Sybella put out a hand. ‘Would you like to help me gather some apples in the orchard this afternoon?’

Lucie looked up doubtfully. ‘I can for an hour. But I promised to read Castle Rackrent to Lord Lynwood to help him pass the time. He’s champing at the bit, you know.’

‘Well, are you sure? If you really don’t like him, I could read instead of you.’

‘No, no. I must fulfil my promise. At least when I’m reading, he can’t make disobliging remarks.’

‘Well, if you’re happy. And Mr Toller is there for propriety’s sake.’

When they had finished eating, Sybella covered the beef with a linen cloth to keep off the flies, stacked up their plates and took her son’s hand. ‘Come on, James, let’s go and see the horses. I want to talk to George about something.’

‘George say I’m a corky one.’ He paused, trying to summon up the exact collection of words that pleased him. ‘Always kickin’ up a lark,’ he added in triumph.

‘It’s true you’re full of fun, but it’s better to use those words only with George, you know.’

‘Yes, Mama,’ he said compliantly, his face beaming up at her.

The following morning, Dr Bristow was pleased with his patient and gave him permission to move back to the Hall. Lord Lynwood bowed his dark curly head over Sybella’s hand. ‘My gratitude to you, Mrs Lovatt, for everything. For giving me such shelter and care when I couldn’t help myself. If ever you’re in need of any service at all, please don’t hesitate to call on me.’ He politely brushed her fingers with his lips and then, looking intently into her eyes for a moment, bestowed on Sybella the full benefit of his lustrous gaze. She was amused and thought that if she had had a fan, she should have rapped his knuckles for employing his impudent wiles on a matron of her years.

He turned his valedictory address to Lucie. ‘My fair ministering angel! If it hadn’t been for you, I wonder would I have been lying on the road still, my life hanging by a thread?’ His voice was light and amused and he hushed her protestations with a finger across his lips. ‘I shall count myself fortunate if one day in return I can play the hero to you.’ And taking her fingers with the deftest touch, he kissed them. Lucie coloured and tried to reclaim her hand, but Lord Lynwood held it for a couple of seconds more before releasing her. Then, glancing from one sister to the other, he added, ‘Once my cousin has arrived, I hope we may see you at the Hall.’ He turned, hopping on one leg, and was helped by Simon Toller and his groom into the waiting Brabazon carriage while George held the horses’ heads.

Over the next couple of days, Sybella watched her younger sister with concern. She seemed restless and troubled, and she could only think that her distemper must be due to the presence, then absence, of the young lord. She hoped that the arrival of an amiable letter from Lucie’s godmother, Lady Godley, would give her cheer, but it seemed to agitate her more.

‘What is it, Lucie? You seem so out of heart.’ Sybella had come across her in the library, listlessly sorting through their books.

‘I’m just not sure I want to do the Season after all.’ Her voice was quiet. ‘It all seems so artificial. The rules on how to conduct ourselves for fear of disapproval and scandal. I’m not good at all this polite, flattering talk.’

‘But dearest, you don’t know how it’s going to be until you see for yourself. The rules are tiresome, but consider it more as a game.’

‘It’s a deadly serious one as far as I can see.’

‘I promise you, once you’re married, you can be yourself again.’

‘But happen I marry someone who only knows the carefully confected exterior? He might not like the Lucie I really am and try to make me someone I’m not.’

Sybella took her hand and said emphatically, ‘You, of all people, are not capable of being anyone but yourself.’

Lucie looked more miserable. ‘But if I haven’t got a fortune or family of great influence to bring to a marriage, I have to make that self acceptable.’ She turned away from her sister to look out of the window. ‘If I were rich, I could be entirely myself.’

‘All I can say is let’s see what happens. Your godmother is happy to sponsor you and I’ll come with you, and little James too. The Season only lasts until the summer. Let’s enjoy ourselves as much as we can. What do you think?’

‘I think you were so lucky, Bella, to meet your Captain and marry him without having to go through this marriage dance.’

‘I was more lucky in love than I could ever believe possible. But also more unlucky than I thought could be borne. We never know what’s ahead, Lucie. Let’s just go forward in hope.’

Lucie flew into her sister’s arms and hugged her. ‘I’m sorry to be so selfish. Of course we’ll make the best of it.’ She kissed her cheek and chuckled. ‘And perhaps you’ll find another Captain James.’

Sybella shook her head. ‘There can never be another Captain James. The world considers widows to have had their chance. Now I must stand back and let others take their turn in the dance.’

‘Fustian! You’re still young. You’re beautiful. You have a reasonable portion and own the Manor and its lands. You’re a catch!’

‘But I don’t want to be a catch. Come, Lucie, it’s your time to shine. Let’s sort out what clothes you’re going to need, then we can visit Madame Dupont in Salisbury.’

Lord Lynwood had been gone two days when a card was brought to the door by a young groom, smartly dressed in black livery and riding a magnificent high-stepping dappled grey. Sybella had seen him heading back up the drive at a spanking trot and was glad that James had not caught sight of the horse; nothing excited him more than a flashy steed. Mr Anthony Brabazon’s black handwriting requested the honour of an audience the following day at 2 p.m. Sybella asked George to drop off her acquiescent reply at the Hall before riding on to the town to get more liniment for the horses. She wondered how, with George gone, she could best keep James away for her neighbour’s social call. Perhaps Nurse and Mary, the cook, could entertain him in the kitchen, helping to make a pound cake for them all?

The following noon, the peace of the Manor was rent by a cry. Sybella was about to go to her bedchamber to change her dress but instead ran off to the stables to check if anyone was injured. Gem had been mucking out Scipio’s stable and the stallion had made a break for freedom, knocking Gem into the door post as he dashed past.

‘When Scipio’s skittish, he behaves better with me. It’s easier if I catch him and get him back to the stable. Where did he go?’