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Charles gave him his politician’s smile and murmured something non-committal. Eliza was sure that murder was not a suitable conversational topic for the ballroom. Somersby seemed to look for something else to say, failed, and then bowed and took his leave.

‘Strange fellow,’ Charles said as he watched him leave. ‘I’d avoid having much to do with him were I you,’ he said.

‘I try not to, but he crept up on me.’

Charles laughed.

The day after the ball, Eliza was with Mary in the drawing room, putting the finishing touches to the plans for Christmas, and for her birthday, when Lord Somersby paid her brother a call.

Eliza and Mary looked at one another. ‘Surely not?’ Mary said. ‘He’s surely not asking for your hand, is he?’

‘Oh, please no.’ Eliza felt cold with shock at the prospect. ‘What do I do? What do I say to him? Will Charles send him away? Tell him I am promised elsewhere? He will, won’t he? I’ve never given him any encouragement.’

‘Well, let us wait until… oh dear.’

Footsteps echoed along the hall. Mary took her by the shoulders and looked her in the eye. ‘Tell him you are deeply honoured but promised elsewhere. I will go and speak to Charles, and we will return as soon as I speak to him.’

‘Don’t leave me with him,’ Eliza said, panicked, but as the footman announced Somersby, Mary dipped a curtsey and left her in the room.

He advanced towards her, a look of extreme intensity on his face. ‘My dear, dear Miss Courtney. You can surely be in no doubt as to the reason for my call, for I have made my regard for you plain. I beg you will look with favour upon my suit.

He paused to draw breath, then, to her horror, sank to one knee. ‘Miss Courtney. Eliza. Would you do me the honour of becoming my…’

‘Oh no! Oh, no, please do not ask it of me. I am so sorry. If I have given you any reason to think that a proposal would be welcome, then you have my sincerest apologies. I cannot marry you, as… as my heart lies elsewhere.’

He tilted his head to one side as though to better see her. ‘Elsewhere? Where elsewhere?’

‘I cannot say as nothing formal has yet been announced, but I assure you I cannot marry you. Though I am very honoured, and… deeply flattered.’

His eyes narrowed, and he struggled to get to his feet. ‘So, you are rejecting my suit?’

‘Not so much rejecting, as unable to accept.’

He moved swiftly and took her hands in his. ‘So, there is hope for me?’

‘No!’ She tried to regain her hands, but he held tight. ‘Lord Somersby, please let go of me.’

‘You think you are too good for me? Is that it?’

‘Not at all. Now please…’ She tugged harder.

He held her firm, and the look on his face changed as he sneered down at her. ‘Well, when everyone knows just what makes you mysterious, no-one will want you. You will be grateful for my offer, then.’

Eliza stared in shock. ‘What? What do you mean? What are you talking about?’

The door opened, and Charles and Mary rushed in. Mary immediately stood at Eliza’s side, while her brother towered over her aggressor, forcing Somersby to release her.

Charles took him by the arm. ‘You have said enough. I told you there was an understanding elsewhere and asked you to leave. How dare you come into my home and lay your hands on my sister. I will thank you to make no more threats. Should you choose not to take my advice, be assured you will find yourself in a good deal of difficulty.’

Somersby went red. He stared at Eliza for a moment, bowed stiffly, and left.

Eliza slumped into Mary’s embrace, wondering what on earth was going on.

Once Somersby was ejected, Charles came back and hugged them both.

‘What an unpleasant man,’ he said mildly.

‘Did you tell him I was promised elsewhere?’