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Charles feigned shock. ‘And where have you learned such rumours?’

‘You told me when we agreed to go!’ she said with a laugh.

‘Oh. Pardon me. I’m clearly getting old as my memory appears to be failing me.’

Hannah rolled her eyes at them. ‘Look, we are almost there.’

Eliza followed where she was pointing and saw the grand gateways and she could make out the lanterns in the trees beyond. It was like something from a fairy tale book.

They got out of the carriage, and Eliza could see the full extent of the decorations in the trees, along the walkways, lights dancing like fireflies.

‘Oh my,’ she breathed, staring around.

‘Oh, for heaven’s sake, Eliza, please stop behaving like some kind of country bumpkin. Have a little decorum,’ Hannah said in a loud whisper. Eliza promptly shut her mouth and looked ahead. Hannah walked on quickly, and Charles took Eliza’s arm.

‘Pay her no heed. I think she might be a little anxious,’ he murmured.

‘About what?’

Charles nodded, and Eliza spotted Mr Ellice heading towards them and understood. He looked awfully handsome in a dark blue coat with a silver embroidered waistcoat beneath. His hat was very fine, and he carried a walking stick, making him look very elegant.

Charles shook his hand. Mr Ellice then bowed to Eliza and Hannah.

‘I’m so glad you could join us. It is such a pleasant evening to enjoy the gardens. My brother is here somewhere, as is the rest of our party, but they were dazzled by the singer and disappeared. I have no notion where they have got to,’ he said with a laugh. Eliza’s pulse jumped at the mention of Robert, and she resisted the urge to straighten her dress and tug on her bonnet too. Mr Ellice offered his arm to Hannah. She could see Hannah’s smile as she accepted it.

They walked, and Eliza took in the sheer volume of people attending, and as music struck up again, notes drifting on the warm evening breeze along with the scent of flowers, Eliza felt as though she should pinch herself it was so enchanting.

They headed to the outdoor Pavillion that housed the orchestra, and she could see the walks that people could take, even open-air supper boxes that she had heard about in the distance and wondered if they might sample what was on offer.

She held on to Charles’s arm tightly as a group of young people rushed past them, laughing and shouting, but no-one paid them any heed. Charles had explained that people from all walks of life attended the gardens, not just the upper ten thousand, and she could see that he was right. There was an incredible mix of people milling about, not just those in society that she had encountered since arriving. It made London feel altogether more real and certainly much less restrictive than the ballrooms and drawing rooms of the Ton. And it was, she decided, all rather lovely.

Mr Ellice raised a hand and waved to a small group of ladies and gentlemen who came to join them. She had met most over the course of the past few days, but outstanding introductions were made. She smiled politely and acknowledged Lord Somersby whom she had met after her presentation. She had been warned that he was a fortune hunter and it made her feel quite anxious. He bowed prettily over her hand, whilst gazing into her eyes. It was a little heady. She had to clear her throat and look away. ‘It is indeed an honour to meet you again, Miss Courtney. Are you enjoying the pleasure gardens?’

‘Indeed, I am, thank you. It is all very pretty, is it not?’

‘The view is absolutely delightful,’ he said, staring directly at her, and Eliza wasn’t entirely certain what he meant. She glanced at Charles seeking guidance, but he was talking to a gentleman.

‘Allow me to escort you?’ Somersby gestured for them to walk, and Eliza watched as everyone ambled on, so she followed, feeling if he was utterly unsuitable, someone would have spoken up. She listened as he regaled her with tales of the gardens and the entertainments on offer. He didn’t seem to require much in the way of contribution from her to the conversation, so she listened politely and all the while looked around her at the sights.

Eventually, she became separated from him and swiftly made her way back to Charles, feeling faintly grateful to escape him.

‘You seemed to make an impression on young Somersby,’ he observed.

‘Do you think so? I could barely get a word in edgeways. He talks an awful lot and stares. It’s a touch disconcerting.’

Charles laughed at that as they strolled on and paused to listen when the music struck up again.

She was delighted when Haryo and Lady Morpeth made their way over to them, followed a moment later by Hart.

Hart bowed over her hand with a flourish, and Haryo greeted Charles whilst Lady Morpeth disappeared to speak to someone else.

‘How lovely to see you,’ Eliza said to them. ‘I am so glad that you are here.’

‘Has the dancing begun?’ Hart said, peering around.

‘Not yet, darling,’ Haryo said with a roll of her eyes.

‘Dearest Eliza, you simply must save me a dance. I shall be devastated if you do not,’ he said, clasping a hand to his heart with theatrical flair.