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Granville frowned. ‘His sister was widowed, wasn’t she? I’m sure I’ve seen her about town.’

‘That’s lady Hannah. I’m talking about L…’ She paused and corrected herself. ‘His youngest sister, Eliza. Miss Eliza Courtney.’

Granville felt a punch to his chest at that name. ‘Are you going to approach the countess? I must say, from what I know of her, I doubt she would countenance any interference, even from you.’

Her smile widened as she shook her head. ‘Nothing so direct. I’m recruiting Aunt Bess,’ she paused and give him an arch look, ‘and I’m working on recruiting Grandmama Spencer and Lady Liz to my cause along with Gee and Hart, of course.’ Her smile was pure mischief. ‘And now, you.’ She patted his chest.

‘I see.’ Something cold and anxious settled in him, but he smiled, nonetheless. He knew her well enough to know that opposing the scheme would make Harriet all the more determined.

Chapter 16

HARYO

London

Harriet was still reeling from the conversation with Lord Granville several days later, to say nothing of the kiss. He had remained diplomatically quiet about her plan to make sure that Eliza had a season, but she could see the reservation in his eyes. At least he had the sense to keep his counsel to himself.

She was still mulling it over when Gee and Lady Liz joined her in the parlour for tea.

‘You are terribly introspective,’ Gee said. ‘Is something troubling you?’

Harriet smiled at her sister. ‘Nothing important. Just thinking. Is Grandmama Spencer coming to London this season or staying at Althorp?’

Gee shrugged. ‘I don’t know. Her last letter mentioned nothing about joining us, but I would be delighted if she did.’

Harriet nodded and noted Lady Liz looked less than thrilled at the prospect. Harriet hid a smile. If she could recruit her grand mother to her cause, there was little they could not achieve.

When the footman announced Eliza, Lady Hannah, and Lady Grey, it felt fortuitous.

She stood to greet them and Lady Liz fluttered by her side. She had met all the Grey children before as she had sometimes accompanied them on the visits they made. She greeted them all warmly and then turned to look at Eliza.

‘Oh, my,’ she said, holding Eliza’s hand. ‘Oh, my. How you’ve grown up. You look so much like your mama.’

Eliza flushed and smiled. Harriet couldn’t see much resemblance to the Dowager Lady Grey, but that was Liz all over.

‘Tell me, how is your dear mama, the dowager countess? It’s been some time since I’ve seen her,’ Lady Liz said.

‘She is very well, thank you. She spends most of her time at Howick or Fallodon in Northumberland, particularly since Papa passed, but we are in London for a little while,’ Eliza replied with a smile as she looked towards her sister.

The conversation continued about nothing in particular, as conversations often did, but Harriet noted that often, when anyone asked a question directed nominally at Eliza, either Lady Hannah or Lady Grey answered. It didn’t seem that they tried to push her aside, more like they simply were not used to her being there.

The conversation turned to balls and parties, and after a little while, Harriet announced she was going to take a walk in the gardens and asked Eliza if she would like to see them.

They escaped the drawing room and sauntered in the cool spring breeze among the flowerbeds, feet crunching in unison on the gravel path.

‘There is only so much discussion about balls I can stand,’ Harriet said. Eliza laughed.

‘Might I ask what might be considered an impertinent question?’

Eliza looked wary but nodded.

‘Why are you not being presented?’

She took a breath and sighed. ‘I am not sure. Possibly because Mama and Charles think I am too young. Charles mentioned a come out next year.’

‘But you are here. Now.’

‘I know. That is only because Hannah has decided she would like to marry again, and I pestered Charles to allow me to join them as I… I would like to look for a husband, too.’