Page 69

‘Is that what you are looking for?’ Hannah looked concerned. ‘Just someone that you like?’

‘I have no idea what I’m looking for. It sounded like a capital idea, coming to London, taking part in the season, finding a husband.’ She took a breath. ‘I think I would like to be in love, but practically speaking, I need an escape and, well, as they say, beggars can’t be choosers. I fear I will simply slide into spinsterhood and the only thing to look forward to is caring for George’s children and when they are grown…’ She shrugged. ‘I know with Papa’s passing, Charles and Mary will make Howick more bearable, and I should be grateful, but I would really like to have my own home, and a husband and children of my own. Frankly, I will be happy with someone that I can like and who likes me.’

Hannah surprised her by reaching out and taking her hand and squeezing it. ‘I have no doubt that you will find a husband. Half of the young bloods who danced with you were in love by the end of the evening.’

Eliza’s eyes widened. ‘No, really? I never noticed any signs of incipient love.’

‘That is because you are far too pragmatic. You need a little romance in your life.’

Eliza looked sceptical.

‘Have you ever read a gothic novel? One with dashing heroes and beautiful heroines?’ Hannah asked.

Eliza smiled. ‘I most certainly have and intend to add to my collection whilst we are here. I hear Hatchards is just the place to go, although I fear they may give us unrealistic expectations of love.’

‘My love, I think every woman in London has unrealistic expectations during the season. We shall arrange a visit forthwith.’

The calls that followed her come out were gratifying. Cards arrived, dinner invitations, ball invitations, and one in particular gave cause for great excitement: an invitation to the Vauxhall Pleasure Gardens. It extended to the whole family and came from Bear and Robert Ellice. It sent Hannah into something of a spin.

Eliza was with Mary, Hannah, and her mother in the parlour when the invitation arrived, and even Mama had nothing terrible to say about it. She had been rather vocal about some invitations that they had received, but she listened to the proposed jaunt with just a sniff.

‘Ellice seems a decent sort,’ she said.

Mary nodded. ‘Charles knows him, and his brother, the Lieutenant Colonel. Excellent family and with a good reputation despite the connection to trade and, I might venture, good companions for such a jaunt as neither seems to be the type for any high jinks.’

Mama nodded, and Eliza wondered if that meant that they were likely to be boring companions. She could imagine all too easily the high jinks that Hart would get up to. When Mary sent her a broad smile, and winked too, she thought perhaps her sister-in-law was just reassuring the dowager. She had to say, Robert Ellice did not strike her as boring in the least, nor did Edward with his tales of Canada and bears. Excitement bubbled gently in her heart as she thought of the proposed excursion.

The door opened, and morning callers were announced. They stood to receive them, and Eliza recalled the mother and daughter from the come out. It was Viscountess Mallard, and her daughter, Miss Genevieve. She had met them the previous evening and had not liked either. They were both incredibly high in the instep.

Tea was formal, with her mother at her most regal. Eliza supposed that even as a dowager countess she outranked a viscountess. They were terribly polite to one another as they commented on the recent bout of inclement weather.

As they finished their tea and stood to leave, Lady Mallard smiled and thanked them for their hospitality, so Eliza smiled at her daughter. Miss Genevieve returned the smile, but it was a sickly affair. She curtseyed, and Eliza dipped a small nod.

‘It has been most interesting to meet the mysterious Miss Courtney,’ she said with emphasis on the ‘miss’ part.

Eliza laughed gently. ‘I assure you, Miss Genevieve, there is nothing mysterious about me.’

‘Are you sure?’ she said, with a look of faux concern, then moved to smile at her mother and Hannah.

‘Lady Grey, Lady Hannah, Miss Courtney,’ she said and dipped a curtsey. There was an ever so teensy sense of emphasis on the ‘lady’ part of the exchange that left Eliza feeling uneasy.

As the afternoon progressed, more than one person made reference to the ‘mysterious Miss Courtney’, leaving Eliza feeling like she was watching a play where everyone understood the references but her. She stored it up and was determined to speak to Mary about it as she had looked uncomfortable at one point too. Her mother was looking increasingly frosty as the afternoon wore on, but that was to be expected.

It was a relief for Eliza when Haryo and Lady Morpeth called, and good to see friendly faces. She greeted them warmly and felt she could relax a little. Lady Morpeth engaged Mama and Mary in conversation about the best milliners and Haryo joined her and Hannah.

‘Are you enjoying yourselves?’ Haryo said. ‘I trust you have had a host of calls and invitations?’

‘We have indeed,’ Eliza said. ‘I think the most exciting might be an invitation from Mr Ellice to go the Vauxhall Pleasure Gardens.’

Haryo gave her a delighted lift of her eyebrows. ‘A marvellous invitation indeed. Have you been before?’

Eliza shook her head. Hannah remained silent, which suggested that perhaps she had.

‘Then you are in for a treat. It’s enormous fun. Just don’t wander off the path,’ she warned. ‘It is true to say that many a reputation has been lost straying from the path, but on this occasion in a literal rather than figurative sense.’

Eliza looked at Hannah, but she just nodded her agreement. ‘It is a few years since I attended, but it is true, one must be on one’s guard.’

‘Goodness,’ Eliza said. ‘Does Mama know this? She seemed to think it was a good idea.’