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Eliza rocked her.

‘We were a little team of two. George and I, together in everything.’

Hannah remembered how besotted the two of them were, and her heart ached.

‘I like Edward. I like him a lot. It’s just, I cannot help but feel… disloyal.’

‘To George?’

She nodded. ‘It’s like I’m being unfaithful.’

Eliza rubbed her back. ‘I think he would want you to be happy. If the situation were reversed, and he was the one left behind, wouldn’t you want him to be happy?’

Hannah gave a hiccupy laugh. ‘No, I would not. I’d expect him to mourn me. Forever. Loudly and inconsolably.’

Eliza hesitated, then laughed, and Hannah laughed with her. It was watery, but definitely a laugh.

She pulled out of Eliza’s arms and sat up to dry her face and blow her nose. ‘Thank you.’

‘You are most welcome.’

‘Incidentally, that wasn’t why I sought you out. I had no idea I would cry all over you. You must think me a complete watering pot.’

‘I think under the circumstances, tears are understandable.’

Hannah looked at her. It was a searching look. ‘I have not always been kind to you.’

This was a surprise. ‘Well…’

Hannah shook her head. ‘No, it’s true. But I came to tell you to try your best to appease Mama as much as you can. You have people around you who will guide you. Myself included.’ She nodded.

This time it was Eliza’s eyes that watered. ‘Thank you,’ she said, and hugged her again.

Hannah nodded and gathered herself together. She gave Eliza a considering look. ‘I am fond of Edward. I think I could be more than fond.’ The look continued. ‘His brother always asks after you.’

Eliza’s heart jumped. ‘He does?’

Hannah nodded. ‘He’s an odd fish, but you seem to have managed to get beyond that scowling façade he has. He might be a second son, but he is very successful.’

Eliza chuckled. ‘His scowl is impressive, isn’t it? We have spoken a few times, and I rather like him, but he has told me quite categorically that he is not looking for a wife.’

‘Hmm. He was betrothed and had quite a nasty experience. I suspect it has made him fight shy of entanglements.’

‘I know. I can’t say I blame him.’

Hannah’s smile was speculative. ‘I wouldn’t rule him out.’

The day before the come-out, Eliza spent much of the morning with Haryo at Devonshire House. There were lots of family and visitors, which helped to steady her nerves.

They were disposed about the beautiful drawing room when Lady Elizabeth Foster walked in with Sidney the dog, closely followed by the duke. Eliza saw little of the duke, and as she watched him, it seemed that he might walk straight back out on seeing all the people populating his drawing room, but Lady Elizabeth clung to his arm and steered him into the room.

‘How lovely to see you all together,’ she said, beaming at them all.

Haryo and her sister, Lady Morpeth, stood to greet the duke, who grunted and nodded at them. Hart bowed, and everyone else curtseyed, Eliza included.

Lady Elizabeth sailed in and seated herself in the midst of the company, pulling Sidney the dog onto her lap, stroking his ears. The dog was not really the kind one kept on one’s lap, but Lady Elizabeth persisted with it, much to Sidney’s annoyance, as evidenced by his attempts to bite her before leaping down and settling himself comfortably in front of the fire.

Haryo went to stand by her father, smiling at him. ‘Papa, how lovely to see you. What brings you to us today?’