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Eliza’s breath caught a little, but she nodded.

He patted her hand ever so gently. ‘I hope you enjoy the rest of the evening,’ Robert said, and hesitated. ‘May I offer advice?’

‘Of course.’

‘Should anyone be so rude as to ask what it is that makes you mysterious, tell them to mind their own business,’ he said with a grin and a twitch of his eyebrow. ‘Or direct them to the Earl.’

Eliza burst out laughing. ‘Lieutenant Colonel Ellice, what a thing to say.’

He laughed with her. ‘My apologies. I’m a military man. We don’t tend to dance around things.’

‘You certainly do not.’ She laughed again, and without realising what she was doing, hugged his arm to her, delighted that he could make her laugh about something that had been taking her. It also made her realise that whilst she could not ask her mother what the issue was, she might be able to ask her brother. The question was, did she dare?

Chapter 32

HARYO

London

Harriet sat on the terrace of Devonshire House, in the shade, looking out over the ornate gardens that her mother had loved so much.

Ever since she had spoken to Eliza at the ball, the question of her status as the ‘mysterious Miss Courtney’ had been on her mind. She had immediately decided to plunge in and investigate to see what she could find out, but she had quickly realised the need to be cautious about what she said and to whom. She was all too conscious that asking question in the wrong places could inflame the situation without intending to and send gossips careening wildly across the entire Ton. Whilst a little interest in Eliza was good, it would be all too easy to tip that into being notorious, and that would not do at all.

She had decided the best person to ask about Eliza was Granville. He was old enough to remember before Eliza was born; he had graced the upper echelons of society since his birth and knew everything about everyone of note. Yet the remarkable thing about him was, as the consummate diplomat, he never gossiped. Well, she wasn’t looking for gossip; she was looking for answers for a dear friend whose reputation, it seemed, was a little more fragile than most. Either there was nothing in the comments, in which case they could be dismissed, or there was something to know. If she knew what it was, it could be dealt with quietly and efficiently. Of that, she was sure.

Besides, she had the distinct impression that Granville was trying to woo her, albeit in a very subtle way, so he might as well make himself useful.

As if on cue, he arrived with Gee on his arm, cousin Caro trailing miserably behind them.

Haryo stood to greet them and wondered what calamity had befallen her cousin this time. She greeted them and watched as Granville turned to Caro, speaking softly and kindly to her. Caro sighed, but he took her hand, kissed it gallantly, and winked at her. Her posture shifted as she gave him a reluctant smile. He nodded encouragingly. Granville was always incredibly kind and patient with Caro. Her moods could be terribly unpredictable, and so often she was unhappy, but Granville almost always managed to encourage a smile from her. She had always thought it kind of him to make the effort, as few did, including Caro’s own husband, William.

Tea arrived, and as they were settling themselves, Hart arrived with Poodle. Harriet stifled a sigh. That was a little annoying, as she would now have to separate Granville from the group, seek him out, to speak to him, thereby risking conferring some kind of approval of his suspected recent wooing. It was not something that she particularly wanted to do, but sometimes one must do what they have to in order to achieve one’s will.

Conversation between them was lively and entertaining as always, and when the tea and macaroons were gone, amid compliments to the cook, she sat up, rolled her shoulders a little and sighed.

‘I feel I need some air,’ she declared. ‘Lord Granville, might you like to escort me around the gardens?’

Granville looked mildly surprised, but he immediately responded by brushing his waistcoat to rid it of a few rogue crumbs, and, bowing, held out a hand. She took it and he tucked it in his arm.

They strolled away from the terrace, heading for the flourishing tulip beds, and then on to the burgeoning lilac trees.

‘I would like to think that you have separated me from the herd to continue our experimentation, but I sense a purposefulness that has nothing to do with seduction,’ he said.

Harriet closed her eyes on a breath and resisted the urge to laugh. It didn’t quite work.

‘Incorrigible,’ she muttered, chuckling softly.

He indicated a bench that was shaded by the lilacs and hidden from the view of the terrace.

‘You know what they will all think if we sit here.’

Granville just grinned that wicked grin. ‘It will give them something to think about,’ he said, lowering himself down, patting the seat beside him.

She sat, somewhat primly, beside him. ‘So, are you planning seduction, or is there something else on your mind?’ he said, leaning closer.

‘Lord Granville, you…’ She broke off with a shake of her head and pressed her fingers to her forehead before looking at him to speak further. ‘I was going to ask your advice on a rather delicate matter, but I can see you are in no mood to be serious.’

Immediately, Granville sobered and stared at her with such intensity that she didn’t know where to look.