‘We must hope it will not come to that, and indeed work towards your goal. Caroline, could you not speak with your papa, and explain your situation? He is not unreasonable, and …’

‘He will say that he will consult Mama, I am sure of it.’

‘You do not know until you have tried, dear cousin.’

‘Then I must be brave.’

With this resolve, Caroline rang for her maid, but, having screwed up her courage, found that her father had gone to his club, and wandered so listlessly about the house that Lady Elstead asked her if she felt quite well, and as the day wore on the courage dwindled to nothing.

In the cold light of day, or, more accurately, the cool dark of a very early summer morning, Lord Martley’s optimistic attitude dimmed. What Miss Gaydon said made sense, and yet, facing Mama was not something done lightly, not without summoning up one’s courage to an almost Shakespearean level. Lord Martley would have been the first to admit he was no Henry V. The obvious answer would be to approach his sire first, since that gentleman did not appear to have his own strong feelings upon the Elsteads. However, Lord Martley was well aware that his father’s attitude was always ‘Do nothing that upsets your mother’. This was guaranteed to do so, and therefore his news was unlikely to see his sire wreathed in smiles. As for Mama, well, Wellington’s soldiers at Waterloo must have faced the Imperial Guard with less trepidation.

At least, he consoled himself, he was no longer deceiving Miss Gaydon. That had been starting to make him feel very guilty indeed, and having her on their side would mean his Beloved would have a confidante, and everyone knew young ladies needed one of those. He took to his bed both relieved and in a quake, which made for interesting dreams.

Being rather more au fait with his father’s morning habits than Miss Felbridge was with hers, Lord Martley did not visit the parental home until after noon, and found Lord Pirbright in pleasant seclusion in the book room. His lordship looked up as his heir entered.

‘Good afternoon, sir. Wondered if I might speak with you.’

‘Again, Martley? This is getting serious.’ Lord Pirbright smiled, but the smile faded as his son continued.

‘Well, in some ways it is. I … I am going to offer for a young lady. At least, I am going to try to do so.’

‘Good Lord. Is it the Gaydon girl? That would make y—’

‘No, sir. And that is the problem. I want to offer for Miss Felbridge.’ It came out in a rush, and was followed by a long and ominous silence. Lord Pirbright sat down heavily.

‘You do not know what you are doing, my boy.’

‘Sir, tell me truly, have you anything against Lord Elstead, or heard aught of Miss Felbridge that would make her a bad match?’