So when she happened to catch the sight of the liveried coach on its way to the manor – not that she was glued to that particular window; merely that it offered the best light for her mending – she was not unduly put off. What mattered a gold crest on the door – and goodness – was that really six horses? Her thought still held true: once nearer to the end, we can only have more in common than not.

But the evening was set to begin in the most curious fashion. It was clear that the august visitor had not expected Miss Austen’s presence, nor did she welcome it. And it seemed that Lady Banks saw this as no ordinary dinner, but instead more a contest of aunts in which she was determined upon her own victory.

On being introduced, she was politely unfriendly. Though the taller by far, Cassandra formed the distinct impression that she was being looked down upon. But what bothered her more was the evidence that, despite the grandeur of her conveyance, Lady Banks could not afford the right clothes to fit her. The strain in the stitches was enough to cause her to wince. Were they better acquainted, she might offer to let out the seams.

‘My attachment to Mary is more than well known.’ Lady Banks issued her first challenge over the soup. ‘I may be but a gr-r-reat-aunt, but I am also her godmother.’

‘Then that is a position of great honour,’ Cassandra conceded at once. ‘And one that brings even more weight to your already gracious decision to bless this young couple with your presence, so soon after the shock of—’

‘Ha!’ Sharp eyes, buried like pins in the vast, plump cushion of face, flashed then with triumph. Victory was already hers. ‘Oh, Miss Austen.’ Her jowls shook with the pity of the conqueror for the recently conquered. ‘It was no shock to me, I assure you. For I knew all about it!’

‘Indeed?’ Cassandra tried to hide her surprise. Acceptance was one thing – she herself had found it with remarkable ease – but collusion another matter entirely. ‘You knew of the plan?’ Her manner remained mild, as if she sought only to clarify, and not to accuse.

‘Not quite!’ Ned cut in gallantly. He had the sense to see that, by her boasting, the lady could bring damage to her own reputation. ‘But as for the principle – Lady Banks was aware that we were considering the possibility, and was kind enough not to discourage us. And for that’ – he bestowed a smile of the particular sort that was a crest-holder’s due – ‘we will forever be grateful.’