In the end, Mary’s curiosity proved too great for her manners. ‘Pray do excuse me, but of what do we speak?’ It was quite the boldest beginning, but surely they were all only family and she must be permitted the odd little query, just now and again. After all, had she not dined, had she not danced: was she not out?

Fanny, with her vacant new-mother air, looked over, blinked, seemed to consider a frown, but then only sighed. ‘We are today in receipt of the most terrible news.’

‘Come, come, my dear.’ Her father, hard at work on a dark slab of liver, seemed significantly more cheerful than the ladies. ‘It is hardly that, to my mind.’ He settled to chewing.

‘Sir Edward!’ Lizzie dropped her fork to her plate. ‘Really, how could you?’ She was always the most forthright in her address to all gentlemen. Mary could only put it down to her extraordinary beauty. ‘Everyone knows he had proposed to that wretched creature. The entire world is simply consumed.’

There came a mirthless laugh from the head of the table. ‘My dear madam. Speaking as a Member of His Majesty’s Parliament …’ He paused while a footman charged his glass with good claret. ‘… I can assure you that the world is, in fact, consumed by the Catholic Question; not your brother or Lady Elizabeth Bligh.’

‘Pray, husband.’ Fanny began to tremble with some violence, and raised a handkerchief to a damp eye. ‘I beg you, never mention that name again in my presence.’

‘Nor politics at the table, if you so please. One has no wish to hear another thing about Catholics, whatever their query.’ Lizzie put down her spoon. ‘They quite ruin the appetite. Of a piece with the daughters of earls, if you want my opinion. All simply live to upset one.’

Mary felt suddenly cheerful. Since her launch, every dinner she had attended was, frankly, dull – much dressing required for very little amusement – so that she had rather given up looking forward to them. This, though, was splendid! Frank conversation, open dispute – discreetly, she tucked into the pudding – even the food was particularly pleasant. While she ate, Mary longed to hear more. For why had Lady Elizabeth – why would any lady, indeed – refuse young Mr Knight? And when there had been such a clear attraction between the couple. Of course, having pushed her luck once, Mary dared not ask anything of anyone ever again. Thanks to the Married One, there was no need.