I drew back and examined her, thinking this was some jest.

‘Henrietta, you are exceedingly clever. You cannot know that I was considering sitting for a miniature when you appeared with your book of sketches and your handsome portrait of your Lord Allenham. And now, well, I am most taken with the notion. A pretty little sketch in watercolour will suffice. It need be no different from any of the other visages you have rendered.’

I smiled awkwardly, unable to determine whether this was a genuine expression of her regard or yet another display of her charity.

‘No, my mind is quite set upon it. I shall not permit you to refuse me.’ She turned to me with narrowed eyes and a deepness in her voice. ‘Remember, my dear, you are in my debt.’

I beheld her, quite startled. For a fleeting moment it was as if my heart had stopped still. This was until a great clap of hilarity took hold of her.

Upon seeing this, I too burst into laughter, though on my account it was as much relief as amusement.

‘Oh, my dear.’ She placed her hand upon my shoulder. ‘See how I have made you laugh!’

I touched my cheeks and felt the happiness rise upon them. What a curious sensation it was; one I had not known for many weeks.

‘Please,’ said she, presenting me with her arm. I rested mine atop it and together we stepped out into the brightness of the garden.

Chapter 9

AFTER THAT DAY, I resolved to make every attempt to please her. She had displayed such generosity, such compassion, such a determination to lift my spirits, that I could think of nothing but returning that kindness. Indeed, the more I learned of her character, the more I saw about her person to admire.

Although I could never pretend she was a perfect beauty – her face was rather too triangular to be thought soft and her nose too hawk-like to be considered demure – she possessed many other winning traits that rendered these defects invisible. Her very movements were those of a dancer. The manner in which she held a dish, or descended a stair, or turned her fair head, was informed by a light elegance. She never stumbled upon the hem of her dress, or allowed her sash to come untied. Never did a comb or a feather tumble from her coiffure. Never did an inappropriate sentiment or an incomplete thought escape her lips. She was that very thing which her name suggested: grace.