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‘Or I could call them Tommy and Oscar?’

Hart laughed, and so did her father.

Lady Liz remained unusually quiet. She didn’t push herself forward, didn’t flutter her hands about and speak in those childish tones. She just watched with a warm smile.

Harriet felt, for the first time in a long time, comfortable at home. Her father had wanted to do something lovely for her, and Lady Liz wasn’t interfering or competing for his attention. She glanced at her brother who was cuddling Oscar and talking to their father about breeding spaniels. She realised that she wanted to show Tommy and Oscar to Granville. He would love them.

She held little Tommy to her and buried her face in his fur, allowing herself to be subjected to a fierce licking, and admitted to herself that she missed Granville more than she could say.

All the family had been in residence at Chatsworth for the wedding, even Grandmama Spencer. There had been some talk of distance between the Spencers and the Cavendishes with the marriage to Lady Liz, but it was not true. Everyone was cordial and terribly polite, which pleased Harriet. The Earl Grey and his family joined them, including Eliza and Lady Hannah. Harriet was glad of Eliza’s company, but it was Granville she missed.

Harriet reluctantly gave up Tommy and Oscar to a footman who took them back to their mama. They were a little young to leave her permanently just yet, and headed with her family to the drawing room, where they would take tea with all the guests.

Harriet stood back and watched as Liz swept into the room taking charge. As Her Grace, the Duchess of Devonshire, she had a newfound confidence. It took a moment, but Harriet realised she was no longer upset by it. As the new duchess, it was now her right. Eliza came to stand beside her and squeezed her arm gently. Harriet smiled at her, grateful for her unspoken understanding.

Gee came to join them. ‘I think they are going to be happy,’ Gee said.

Harriet nodded. ‘He gave me two puppies.’

‘Good lord,’ Gee replied. Eliza gave a delighted laugh. ‘What did you do?’

Harriet smiled loftily. ‘I named them Tommy and Oscar and thanked him. They are actually terribly sweet.’

Gee looked at her with wide eyes. ‘Are you having some kind of turn?’

‘Not at all. I’m trying to… accept things. My being difficult will not make a jot of difference, so I might as well just… accept.’

‘Good for you. Good for you,’ Gee said and wandered off, leaving her with Eliza.

‘I have a dog at Howick. He’s called Monty and I don’t know what I’d do without him. I think you will love Tommy and Oscar.’

Harriet just rolled her eyes. ‘If I start carting them about with me like Lady Liz does with Sidney, stop me.’

Eliza laughed aloud at that. ‘Was your papa pleased you named them?’

Harriet nodded. I played with them a good deal too to express my thanks. You must come and see them. They really are darling.’

Eliza chuckled. ‘You’re beginning to sound like him.’

Harriet put her fingers to her forehead. ‘Oh, lord.’

‘I imagine for your papa it was a gift beyond price.’

‘And that is the spirit in which I accepted them,’ Harriet said with a sigh. ‘I was even nice to Lady Liz.’

‘You are becoming awfully wise, Haryo.’

Harriet rolled her eyes. ‘Much good it does me. Have you seen Lord Granville?’

The sympathy in Eliza’s eyes was clear to see. ‘I have, but only twice.’

‘How is he?’

‘He seemed well enough. He asked about you.’

‘Hm, and what did he say?’

‘He just asked if I had seen you and if you were well.’