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‘Is there a reason for dinner with the Earl?’

‘Well, he is an excellent chap to know if one wishes to develop political aspirations, and he has a rather delightful sister. I’ve met her a couple of times now and she is really rather lovely.’ Ed waggled his eyebrows, and Robert stifled a sigh. Perhaps, if he could get Ed’s leg shackled quickly, he could skulk for the rest of the season and avoid people. He had a list of galleries and museums burning a hole in his pocket, along with a significant pile of books by his bedside. His best hope was that the evening would be over quickly.

Eliza sat in the parlour of the Grey London residence in Portman Square, attempting to write a letter to her mother. However, she was so excited to be in London, particularly after bumping into the Cavendishes, it was a struggle to concentrate. What she wanted to do was construct a list of all the places she needed to visit. She was quite desperate to see the Egyptian Hall in Piccadilly but had not persuaded Charles to a jaunt yet. There were some remarkable exhibitions that she wanted to experience.

With a sigh, she put the pen down and wondered if Hannah might like a trip to the shops. She had been rather quiet since Eliza had arrived, and she wondered if a jaunt might cheer her.

Decision made, she put away her correspondence and set off in search of Hannah. She found her in the parlour writing letters. She looked up when Eliza joined her.

‘Eliza,’ she said with a faint smile.

‘Would you like to take a walk to the shops with me?’ she said in something of a rush.

Hannah blinked. ‘Have you finished your letter to Mama?’

‘I cannot concentrate for thinking about all the things that there are to do here. I wondered if you might like to go shopping?’

Hannah put down her pen and regarded her. ‘Have you given up petitioning everyone to spend hours in art galleries?’

Eliza grinned. ‘Not at all. I just thought there was more chance of persuading you to the shops than to a gallery.’

Hannah put down her pen with a shake of her head. ‘You know me so well. Come, let us change. I would like some new gloves for dinner tonight.’

‘Is someone coming that you would like to impress?’

Hannah gave her a small smile. ‘Possibly.’

‘Do you… do you really intend to find a husband?’

Hannah thought for a moment, then nodded. ‘I do. I want to be a wife again. I want my own home. I want children.’ She took a breath. ‘I will never forget George.’ She placed a hand on her heart. ‘I will carry him with me forever.’ She lifted her chin fractionally. ‘But I need to find a way to live again, and I can’t do that with Mama in Northumberland.’

Eliza squeezed her arm.

Hannah shook herself and smiled at her. ‘And what about you? Are you looking to marry?’

‘Most definitely. The thought of fading away in Northumberland fills me with horror. Frankly, if there were other things a lady could do to make her life more interesting, I would do them, but marriage seems the only option. Well, the only acceptable one,’ she said, grinning at her sister. ‘Imagine being able to go to university and study.’

Hannah shook her head, a faint but puzzled smile on her lips. ‘Study what?’

‘I don’t know. Anything. What do men study at university?’

‘I don’t have the faintest idea. I think they largely drink too much and carouse.’

Eliza laughed.

‘I suggest you do not tell the good people of the Ton that you want to go to university and study if you wish to find a husband,’ Hannah said with her eyebrows raised. ‘Perhaps you need to fall in love.’

‘That would be nice, but I am not expecting it. I would simply like someone who is kind and interesting.’

Hannah laughed as Eliza had hoped she would. ‘I wish you luck.’

‘Thank you. I intend drawing up a list of potentially suitable candidates.’ Eliza fished the notebook from her reticule that she had bought expressly for the purpose and waved it before Hannah who groaned.

‘Eliza, must you be so practical? Can’t you just fall in love like everyone else?’

‘I can try, but I don’t hold out a lot of hope. Besides, that would narrow my chances of finding someone suitable considerably and I don’t have a lot of time.’

Hannah sighed and shook her head. ‘Is there anyone on your list?’