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They all agreed this was a capital plan, and a spirited discussion ensued about the things that Eliza could attend. Eliza’s cheeks were blooming by the time it came to say goodbye, and Harriet thought it became her well. It made her eyes sparkle and lit up her pretty face.

As they took their leave, shouts from children could be heard from somewhere in the house and a maid ran into the hall, screeched to a halt when she saw the ladies had company, and looked tongue tied.

‘What is it, Althea?’ Mary asked.

‘The children, miss.’

Eliza smiled tightly. ‘I’m coming.’

The maid hurried away. Harriet looked from Eliza to Lady Grey. ‘Children? How delightful.’

‘My brother George and his wife are visiting, and their nanny hasn’t arrived yet. I sometimes help to look after the children,’ Eliza said.

‘How charming,’ Harriet said, but didn’t let her smile slip. She noted that Hannah looked faintly discomfited, Lady Grey looked about to expire.

They said their goodbyes, and as they stepped into the carriage, Harriet sighed. ‘Did you say Aunt Bessborough thought she was a governess?’

Gee nodded.

‘I suspect she may have a point. I don’t understand why she isn’t being presented this season. She must be, what? Seventeen? Eighteen?’

‘I know.’

Harriet worried at the cuff of her glove. ‘She seemed on good terms with her sister.’

Gee took hold of the strap as the carriage swayed. ‘Perhaps we need to offer more invitations to the Grey family.’

‘I think you may be right, sister dear.’

Gee nodded regally, as she had taken to doing lately. ‘I know it. Moreover, Mama would want us to do it. She was very attached to the Grey children.’

Harriet stood with Aunt Bessborough and watched as the beautiful young people danced with energetic elegance about the dance floor. There was something to be said for being past the first flush of youth, as one no longer suffered the pangs of mortification when one didn’t have a dance partner. One no longer pined for the dashing blades that were on the prowl for a wealthy heiress, and one no longer withered from the distinct lack of romantic attention one received when one was plump. Oh, men had made up to her during her first season, and several after that. Men who thought that as the daughter of the Duke of Devonshire there’d be a handsome dowry, but it was easy to see that their eyes were always on the diamonds, the beauties, the incomparables. Besides, in the end, her dowry wasn’t what people imagined.

Lord Morpeth joined them, her sister’s husband, and bowed over their hands. He stayed and chatted a while, until eventually the inevitable happened, and Lord Granville Leveson-Gower approached.

Harriet wasn’t sure if she was pleased or annoyed, and that irritated her. Also, there really should be some kind of law passed to prevent men like Leveson-Gower appearing in a ballroom dressed to the nines. He was always in the pink of perfection, but in his evening wear… Harriet sighed quietly and pinned a falsely bright smile to her face and acknowledged his bow. After a few moments’ polite conversation, the dance ended, and they watched as everyone returned to their seats and the orchestra set up for a quadrille.

‘Morpeth, would you be a dear and escort me to the chairs? I’m finding myself quite tired,’ her aunt said.

Lord Granville turned as if he might offer, but got a stern look from her aunt, so he subsided. Lord Morpeth, of course, offered his arm.

‘Lord Granville, you could do worse than ask my niece for the next dance?’ her aunt said as she sallied forth.

Harriet closed her eyes momentarily, once again the subject of abject mortification, as Lord Granville seemed to arrive at some sort of decision.

‘Would you be so kind as to honour me with this dance?’ he said and held out his hand.

Harriet had several large misgivings, and in all honesty would prefer to dance naked than dance with him, but to refuse would be churlish, and besides, she wouldn’t be able to dance for the rest of the evening if she refused him.

She took a fortifying breath, took the proffered hand with the best smile she could muster, and allowed him to lead her to the dance floor.

‘You look lovely tonight,’ he said as they got into position. ‘That shade of green is extremely becoming.’

Harriet stood opposite him and glanced quickly over to her aunt who nodded. Instantly things clicked into place in her head. Her wretched aunt!

‘Methinks, you have been talking to my dear aunt.’

His lips twitched, and he tilted his head to one side in faux innocence. ‘Whatever gave you that idea?’