Fanny could never be entirely sure quite how much influence Sir Edward was able to wield. But what she did know for certain was that, within days, Mr Billington’s plans had been thoroughly scuppered and Marianne’s hopes utterly dashed. Moreover, the whole episode had been settled without any personal involvement from Fanny. Not once did she even have cause to voice an opinion. It really was most satisfactory.

CHAPTER XIV

‘I beg you, no!’ Miss Atkinson shrieked in her pretty and musical fashion. ‘Leave the poor creature be.’ She clasped her fine hands to her barely dressed bosom. ‘Mr William, you are simply too cruel.’

‘Got the blighter!’ William Knight, handsome in shirtsleeves and high postillion boots, knee-deep in the water, let out a great loud roar of triumph. ‘My fair damsel,’ he called in a courtly manner, ‘I bring you my treasure’ – he lifted his net, turned to the governess, issued a smile – ‘as a token of my sincerest—’

And with that, he pulled his arm back, took aim, gave a flick of his wrist and a great, squirming, wet tench landed just by the hem of Miss Atkinson’s best muslin. The shrill sound of this scream – more piercing, less decorous – brought the other girls rushing to her side.

‘Oh, do look,’ said Marianne.

‘I say, Will. Well done,’ put in Cassy.

‘I call him a fine specimen,’ Mary Dorothea agreed.

‘How could you all?’ Miss Atkinson, repulsed, took several steps back. ‘He is in agonies.’ They all watched as it writhed on the bank in the full glare of the sun. ‘You girls are beasts. And you …’ She turned to William who now, grinning and dripping, stood by her side. ‘You, sir, are a monster.’

‘Me?’ He was all innocence. ‘But I am his saviour. Watch!’ As if by command, the fish leaped. ‘There you are. Now is he or is he not jumping for joy?’

‘Gasping for breath!’ the governess shot back.

‘Dear Miss Atkinson.’ He took up her hand and bent as if to kiss it. ‘I fear you show yourself up as one raised in the Town. We may be but poor, humble country folk’ – he gestured to the large crowd of Knights and Knatchbulls now gathered about him – ‘but we know relief on a fish when we see it. The poor fellow was very near being drowned.’

‘You are absurd.’ She pulled back her hand and gave in to a smile. ‘Now, pray, do put him back.’