‘We can practice again tomorrow morning after breakfast, if you like.’ Sally took hold of Lou’s hands and pulled her to her feet. ‘You’ll be wonderful at Her Ladyship’s Ball, just you wait and see.’

‘I don’t think so. I’m no Darcy Bussell.’

‘Who?’

‘It doesn’t matter,’ Lou laughed. ‘But if I’ve learned one thing this morning, it’s that I have about as much grace as a fairy elephant.’

Sally’s laugh in response to Lou’s joke was subdued. She began to fuss with the straps of her apron. Looking to the floor, she said, ‘If I had the courage to stand up to Sir Charles, I’m sure I’d feel I could do anything. Sorry, Miss,’ she added quickly. ‘I’ve said too much. It’s not my place …’

‘We’re friends, Sally,’ Lou sighed. ‘You can say anything to me, and I won’t mind.’

Sally fiddled with the pocket of her apron, twisting the lace through her fingers.

‘Was there something else?’ Lou asked.

Still concentrating on her pocket, Sally said, ‘It’s just that … well, the men downstairs mightn’t agree with what you said to Sir Charles, but they wouldn’t would they? It suits men to keep us women where we are, and … I suppose I’m fortunate that William is a good husband and our employers are fair because there are plenty of women who aren’t so lucky. Us women downstairs were talking, and we’re ... that’s to say … we’re grateful that somebody like you should bother enough to stand up for us. I promised that I would thank you when I had the chance.’

Lou felt a little swell of pride that her actions had led to this spark of feminism in the female staff, but she was sorry to see that Sally’s cheeks had coloured. Patently wanting to get back on to a more familiar footing, Sally shifted her attention to Lou’s blouse, fussing over the buttons. ‘I don’t suppose you’ve seen your embroidered handkerchief anywhere, have you?’ she asked. ‘I couldn’t find it this morning, and I still haven’t come across your gloves.’

Lou took hold of Sally’s hands. ‘Don’t worry so much. They’re just things. People are what matter.’ Gently, she straightened Sally’s white cap, which had been knocked askew when they fell on the bed. Taking a step back, she looked Sally up and down. ‘That’s better,’ she said. ‘Now, we’re equal.’

Still smiling at the look of utter surprise on Sally’s face, Lou entered the morning room and had to dodge Charlotte who leapt from her chair and ran to the window.

‘Please, Charlotte, do sit down,’ Lady Mandeville said. ‘You’re making me quite dizzy. Running to and from the window will not make anybody return any quicker.’

‘But I really thought I heard them this time.’ Charlotte slunk back to her chair. She picked up her box of baubles and placed it in her lap. The constant jiggling of her legs made the tissue paper protecting them rustle. When her mother let out a loud sigh, she placed the box back on the table.