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He chuckled. ‘There is no need for you to worry. You are a beautiful young woman poised on the brink of the rest of her life.’

Eliza looked up at him. ‘May I ask something personal?’

He raised an eyebrow. ‘Well, you can ask. I’m not guaranteeing an answer.’

She took a breath. ‘Were you in love with Mary when you married, or did that come afterwards?’

His eyes widened, and he blinked several times. ‘Well, truthfully, no. I was not in love with Mary when we married. That came later. For both of us, I think. Our parents felt we would make a good match, we agreed, and it worked admirably well.’

‘But you love her now?’

‘With all my heart.’

Eliza nodded. ‘Thank you.’

Charles looked as though he wanted to ask more, but the musicians were tuning up and preparing to begin the music for the first dance of the evening. Charles had claimed that honour on her dance card, so he smiled at her and bowed.

‘Miss Eliza. Would you do me the inestimable honour of dancing with me?’

Eliza looked around at all the people watching, and, heart beating frantically, gave Charles her hand. He led her to the dance floor, and they were the only ones there.

As people gathered around them, she smiled at him, but it was wobbly with emotion. ‘You know, you really are the best of brothers. I love you a lot.’ She cleared her throat and looked away. When she looked back at him, his eyes were wet.

‘And I love you too, Eliza Courtney. Never doubt it for a moment.’ He cleared his throat.

She nodded, took a second to regain her composure, lifted her chin, and danced as the music swirled around them, along with the other couples on the dance floor. She laughed and twirled and decided that she might survive after all.

When he returned her to Mama, they were both laughing. ‘Is your dance card full?’ he said.

Eliza beamed up at him. ‘Not quite. I’ve saved a few dances, though.’

‘Aha. Who is the lucky man?’

‘I’ve saved some for Hart and some for Lieutenant Colonel Ellice if he arrives.’

As the music struck up again, and her next partner arrived and bowed over her hand, she grinned at Charles and, chin high, walked onto the dance floor with the rather dashing Mr Cartwright who regaled her with stories of his horse whilst they danced. Once finished, he bowed over her hand, and Eliza spotted the Cavendishes, which made her smile. She thanked Mr Cartwright and went to greet them with a spring in her step.

‘My dearest Eliza,’ Haryo said, taking her hands. ‘Just look how beautiful you are.’

Eliza laughed and squeezed her hands. ‘And you look simply divine.’ It was no word of a lie. Haryo, in evening dress, was a sight to behold. Utterly resplendent in a deep sapphire blue, with what looked like diamonds nestled at her neck and in her dark hair, she was stunningly beautiful. Judging by the look on Lord Granville’s face as he, too, regarded her, she was not the only one who thought so.

Hart bowed low over her hand. ‘I hope you have saved me a dance.’

‘Of course I have. I’ve saved you two.’

Hart laughed, and Eliza had to admit, he too was magnificent in evening wear, so dark against his fair hair.

Lady Morpeth simply scooped her into a hug. ‘You look wonderful, my dear.’

They all threw themselves into the proceedings, Lord Granville taking Haryo to the dance floor almost immediately, making her laugh, and Lady Morpeth settling herself with a group of bosom bows.

She was chatting with Hart when Hannah and Edward came to join them looking purposeful.

Edward bowed over her hand. ‘Miss Eliza, I’ve had word to say that my brother has been delayed.’

Eliza’s heart sank.

Hannah took her hand. ‘Don’t despair, he said that he still hopes to be with us before the end of the ball, and he did send his absolute, most heartfelt apologies.’