Mary sat, all astonishment. ‘Lady Banks, I cannot believe that my father would relate …’

‘Of course he did not! I gather that temper of his won out yet again. Your dear late mama could always control him, you know. This new one, though – simply not up to the job. He is become quite incor-r-rigible.’

But then, how had Lady Banks heard? Mary started to panic. It had not previously occurred to her that the fact of Ned’s proposal was known even in East Kent. That it had somehow reached London was mortifying enough; that she might now be the subject of gossip would drive her father demented!

Lady Banks continued as if Mary had spoken aloud. ‘Never mind how I heard it. Let us say one has one’s sources and leave it at that. What I want to hear are your own feelings on the matter.’ She sat back, preparing to listen, then noticed Mary’s reluctance. ‘Ah. Miss Fairfax? FAIRFAX! Yes, thank you for joining us and I do hope you sufficiently rested. Now, off you trot to your room, dear, there’s a good thing …’ She watched with contempt as her companion grabbed her knitting and scuttled away, then turned back to Mary.

‘I love him, Aunt,’ Mary said then, perfectly simply. ‘I have for some time and am secure in the belief that he loves me.’ And then, to her horror, she started to cry. ‘He is such a good man with so much to recommend him. But my father is set dead against. He has turned us down twice! And now they have forced us apart and brought me to Town …’

‘My dear girl.’ Lady Banks rummaged and produced a clean handkerchief. ‘London is hardly a haystack. If this gentleman wants you, then he will find you. Let it be his first test. And as for meeting, in private …’ She looked into the fire, seeming to consult with the flames.

‘A few years ago, I promised you my help if it were needed. Now’ – she looked stern for a moment – ‘I shall not, I cannot go against Sir Edward’s express wishes. My views on rank disobedience are more than well known.’

‘Yes, Aunt, and nor would I expect—’ Mary sniffed and gulped at the same time.

‘However,’ Lady Banks declared to the room as if to some vast assembly. The grandeur of manner brought Sir Edward alive in Mary’s mind. ‘It would be perfectly natural for this Mr Knight to call on me one afternoon – our families are closely connected, after all. And it would be equally natural for you, my dear, to be here when this visit occurred. And, if I happen to like him – Will I like him?’

‘Oh, very much so, dear Aunt. Everyone does! Other than my father, that is, and none of us can quite understand it.’