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‘If Mama is worried about being alone here, she could come with us. I’m sure she’d enjoy some different company. She’s barely moved out of the house since Papa died. I think she would have a lovely time in London.’

‘I know. I’ll try. That’s all I can promise.’ He leaned forward and kissed her on the forehead.

‘Thank you, but can you try really hard? Lord Bessborough thought I was the governess, because I had to rush around looking after George’s children. You wouldn’t want word to get out that your youngest sister is treated like a governess, would you?’

‘He thought you were a governess?’ Charles said frowning.

‘He did. I heard him. Just now as they were leaving. Charles, this is important. I really need your help.’

He tilted his head and regarded her. ‘Is my little one growing a backbone?’

‘Perhaps I am,’ she said and put her chin in the air, though her heart was beating ridiculously fast.

He laughed. ‘I’d best brave Mama. Fortunately, I have brought some of her favourite sweetmeats with me to butter her up.’

Eliza threw her arms around his neck. ‘You truly are the very best of brothers.’

Charles joined them for dinner as he’d agreed to spend the night. Eliza sat through a tortuous meal, waiting for either of them to bring up the subject of London, but neither did. The footmen stood silently in the room, immaculately dressed, and waiting to serve. The ormolu clock on the mantel ticked quietly, marking the passage of each screamingly long minute. A fire cracked in the grate. But not a word was spoken about her going to London.

At first, she’d thought her mother was going to eat in her room which would have given her more chance to speak to Charles, but at the last moment, she’d joined them at the table. She’d intended to interrogate him over the consommé. However, Mama’s appearance had put paid to that.

Her silver spoon clinked against the glass dish of her syllabub as she ate the last of it.

When they had all finished, and napkins placed on the table, her mother spoke.

‘We will retire to the drawing room and leave you to the port.’

Eliza’s heart sank. She cast a frantic look at her brother.

‘No need, Mama, I’ll join you for tea.’

Mama just sniffed and led the way from the room.

Eliza turned to Charles as they followed. Did you ask her? She mimed.

He nodded.

And?

Eliza faced forward as she caught the footman watching her exchange with Charles.

He shrugged and held up his hands as if to say he had no idea.

Eliza almost groaned out loud.

They sat in the drawing room facing their mother, and each accepted a cup of tea. Eliza took a sip of the too hot tea for something to do with her hands and regretted it as the liquid burned its way across her tongue and all the way down her throat.

‘Grey tells me that despite having had a very firm answer from me, more than once, you have yet again petitioned him to allow you to visit London.’

Eliza didn’t know where to look. She had hoped that Mama would simply change her mind without going into a pelter. It looked like she was wrong. The only thing she could do now was to be honest.

She put the cup down carefully. ‘I did speak to him, Mama, yes. I’m worried about Hannah and I would like to support her.’

‘Despite the fact that she has her eldest brother, his dear wife, and his family around her? After I had expressly forbidden any such venture?’ Her gaze was implacable and the sibilance terrifying. Eliza wanted to run away and hide, but she held firm and recalled she had a backbone. She looked at her fingers laced in her lap.

‘I’m sorry if I have upset you, Mama, but I should like the opportunity to go to London.’

‘I sincerely doubt that. Well, what I think clearly counts for precisely nothing in this household anymore. Be ready to leave with your brother first thing. I’ll bid you both goodnight.’