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They pulled up outside a London house she didn’t recall visiting before, and they all climbed out. Mama seemed to be holding tight to Lady Liz whilst Miss Trimmer herded the children.

For a moment, Lady Liz pulled her into a tight hug, making Haryo wonder what was going on. She’d been told they were paying a visit to one of Mama’s friends, but Mama didn’t look at all happy about it. In fact, she looked quite scared.

She waited patiently, holding Hart’s hand, and waited for the grown-ups to gather their composure.

‘Come, children,’ Lady Liz said, ushering them all along. ‘You’ll have a splendid time. Lots of children to play with.’

Gee looked over at her and shrugged, so the three of them trooped into the house dutifully. Usually, the grown-ups went to chat, and the children were left with nannies, but today, they were all admitted to what looked like a rather splendid drawing room where there were a lot of grown-ups, and a lot of children. Hart immediately headed for some girls who were playing with dolls, and Gee hung back with pink cheeks.

‘Don’t worry,’ Haryo said, and took hold of her sister’s hand. Gee got shy with people she didn’t know and didn’t like to talk to them.

After a moment or two standing awkwardly on the edge, Lady Liz came up and smiled at them.

‘Come and meet your Mama’s friends.’ She took each of them by the hand and took them to a window seat where her mother sat watching a little girl who sat on a rug, accompanied by an older girl who looked to be similar in age to Haryo, perhaps a little younger.

‘Lady Hannah,’ her mother said to the older girl. ‘These are my daughters, Lady Harriet and Lady Georgiana.’

The girl called Hannah smiled and gave a little wave. Gee blushed furiously, so Haryo waved back.

‘And this,’ her mother said, kneeling beside the smaller girl, ‘this is Eliza.’ Her mother ran her hand over the child’s head, gently caressing her short, fair hair.

Haryo took Gee’s hand, and they both sat with the child. Hannah sat with them, too.

‘That’s my youngest sister. She doesn’t say much yet.’

Haryo smiled. ‘We have a little brother. He says quite a lot.’

Hannah laughed, and at that moment, Hart toddled over and plonked down beside them. He patted little Eliza on the head, a bit too hard, and made her cry. Immediately, Mama swooped and picked her up, cradling her on her shoulder, patting her back gently and crooning to her.

‘Oh, hush darling, hush.’

Hannah shook her head. ‘Ignore her. She cries a lot. Do you like books?’

Haryo beamed at her new friend. ‘I love books!’

‘I’ll bring them.’ She ran off and Haryo looked at Gee, who was picking fluff off the carpet.

Mama was now singing softly to little Eliza, who had stopped crying. When Haryo looked more closely, it seemed Mama was crying.

Hannah came back with a pile of books. Once settled down, they spent a happy hour chatting and reading to each other. Even Hart joined in. Mama never put little Eliza down.

When it came time to go, Haryo waited with her brother and sister for the grown-ups to say goodbye.

‘I do hope you come again,’ Hannah said with a smile, and even Gee smiled and nodded.

‘I hope so too,’ she said, and kissed Hannah on the cheek. They all made a fuss over Hart and then headed for the carriage.

Mama was the last to join them. She climbed in slowly and sat down carefully. She was breathing funny, and her face was set. Lady Liz reached over and patted her hand. Just as she had on the journey there, Mama looked out of the window once more. Haryo climbed in quickly and squished against her, laying her cheek against her arm. Mama smiled down at her and took her hand, her gaze turning back to the window.

As the carriage pulled away, Haryo looked up and saw a tear roll down her mother’s cheek. She pressed closer and took hold of her mother’s hand. When she squeezed her fingers tightly, Haryo closed her eyes.

PART TWO

Chapter 6

ELIZA

Northumberland – Eighteen years later