At the time Leamington was one of the more fashionable spas and anyone would seize upon the opportunity of spending a few weeks there among the beau monde. So, for Fanny, the salient question was not who might be available, more which sibling truly deserved such a treat, and could be trusted to properly appreciate it. Fanny thought long and hard – she was never known to be flippant on any family issue – and made her decision.

‘Oh, do look!’ Fanny’s sister, Louisa, pulled up her pony and took a moment to gaze upon the vista beyond Mersham-le-Hatch. ‘A panorama of paradise in the finest of seasons.’

Fanny drew up beside her, and looked as she was bidden. It was indeed beautiful: a day on which to believe that, if you could stay still long enough, spring would dramatically transform into summer before your very eyes.

‘I know you have been through the most terrible sadness, my dear,’ Louisa began cautiously. Everyone was cautious around Fanny these days. They were almost too frightened to speak. ‘But a day like today – surely that must give you hope?’

Hope! It was, indeed, all around her. The air was clear, the hawthorn pungent … but its presence was quite inappropriate. It made a mockery of the despair which lodged in Fanny’s heart. She gave no reply. She felt completely inert: wanted to dismount, lie down and sleep for a week. But then Taffy whinnied and pawed at the ground and, for his sake alone, they resumed their ride.

Louisa spoke up again. ‘You know, dearest, I would do anything to make you feel better. And am thrilled at the idea of taking the waters with you and George. You are so kind to ask me; we could have the loveliest time. But—’

But? Fanny sighed and rose to a canter. Listen to it! All that she did for them and still: not one ever satisfied.

‘I feel,’ Louisa continued, somewhat out of breath from the exertion of catching her up, ‘it might be somewhat more fair if Marianne were to go in my place. She does do so much for all of us, and gets so little fun.’

Taffy, sensing the conversation had turned delicate, slowed to a trot; Fanny rubbed at his neck, prayed for some strength and then spoke up, firmly: ‘Marianne has her hands full, my dear. She is desperately needed, both at Godmersham and by Lizzie and her new addition.’ Why could nobody else grasp these arrangements? ‘She really cannot be spared, whereas you, Louisa, might see some benefit from being in new, different society.’ Taffy picked her way carefully down to the lake’s edge. ‘This is your first season and we are all working hard to make it as pleasant as possible, so if you might be so kind as to try and enjoy it?’

‘But I feel …’ Louisa began.

Honestly, Fanny could scream.