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‘Haryo,’ he said, dragging a handkerchief from his pocket to mop his eyes. ‘You never, ever disappoint.’

She arched an eyebrow. ‘I should think not.’

Watching that formidable eyebrow and the remnants of genuine humour in her eyes, on her lips, did not help the feeling that he needed to kiss her one jot.

‘You are doing it again,’ she whispered.

He leaned a little closer. ‘I have the most dreadful feeling that I might need to kiss you.’

Her mouth quirked as though she were trying to hold back a smile, and her eyes shone. ‘Darling, I thought we had dispensed with that.’

‘Oh, we did. We did. And your experiment sealed the deal, but the thing is…’ he let his gaze drift to her lips, ‘I fear a further experiment might be required, to gather more empirical evidence, to make absolutely, absolutely sure that we arrived at the right conclusion.’

He waited for her to laugh. To slay him with her eyes and her wicked tongue. But she didn’t. Instead, she regarded him steadily.

‘When do you propose to conduct this… experiment?’

Lord Granville Leveson-Gower, who rarely had to exert himself, never… ever, found himself lost for words. Yet here he was. Mouth open like a codfish wondering how the hell to respond to that.

Her lips twitched and then widened into a smile. ‘Why, Lord Granville, I do believe I have shocked you.’

‘My lovely lady Harriet, only you. Only you.’

Chapter 31

ELIZA

London

Eliza and Hannah pored over the newspapers and scandal sheets the day after her presentation for any nod to her. She had a small mention in a few places as the mysterious Miss C who danced, notably, with the Marquess of H. It wasn’t much in comparison to some of the diamonds, but it pleased Eliza.

‘I wonder why they think I’m mysterious?’ she asked her sister.

Hannah shrugged. ‘Who knows? I suspect they like to make things sound more exciting than they actually are. It does make you sound rather intriguing.’

Eliza laughed. ‘I suspect you are right. I shall enjoy being mysterious for today.’

‘You should, my dear.’

‘You seemed to get along terribly well with Mr Ellice last night?’

Hannah hesitated but then nodded. ‘He is awfully funny, but as I said… kind and sensible.’

‘That is good to know your judgement of him was correct.’

‘I know we have only just met, but… he understands. I’m sure he does.’

‘About George?’

Hannah nodded. ‘He… just understands. I like him.’

Eliza took her hand and gave it a quick squeeze, remembering how distressed Hannah had been when they spoke previously.

‘Then I’m glad that you have found someone that you like.’

Hannah hesitated. ‘I worry liking might not be enough for him. Perhaps he deserves more than someone who likes him.’

‘I think liking is a good start in a marriage. You might grow to love him and he you?’