Henrietta opened her mouth to speak but the figure of the dance changed, and she was facing another. It had been rather a clever compliment, the sort she might receive from Lord Netheravon, but it was not made lightly, but with an awed sincerity. Could it be that he felt as she did, was confused as she was?

Mr Newbold, observing, even as he spoke with Lady Cowper, came to an accurate conclusion. If he wanted Miss Gaydon for himself, he would have to make an effort, and soon.

Henrietta was still slightly dazed when she left the dance floor. She declined Lord Netheravon’s offer to procure her lemonade, but thanked him prettily enough, if automatically. Caroline, who had been dancing with a man who, she whispered, danced like a bear, fanned herself and sighed. She still looked a little pale. Lady Elstead, noting the slight sag to her shoulders, suggested that they need not remain quite so late, if Caroline was wilting.

‘Your servant, ladies.’ Lord Martley made his bow, and smiled at them. His smile was all for Caroline, and he was instantly concerned at the warning look she had in her eyes. ‘A very warm evening, is it not?’

‘A very warm evening, my lord,’ replied Lady Elstead, without enthusiasm.

‘I was wondering, ma’am, if Miss Gaydon, and Miss Felbridge of course, had seen the wild beasts at the Tower during their sojourn in the capital. The Season is quite advanced and it would be a shame to return to the shires without experiencing such exotic creatures that one might only otherwise see in books.’

‘I am not sure, my lord, that we are free in the near future.’ Her voice now had a chill to it, and he looked confused.

‘What if I also made one of the party, ma’am,’ offered Lord Henfield, who had approached without them noticing, and smiled at the two girls. ‘And if you could also be in attendance rather than maids …’

Lady Elstead, seeing the look directed at Caroline, immediately softened.

‘Well, in that case, my lord … though I have never wished to see wild beasts myself, I suppose they must have an attraction for the young.’ She paused for effect. ‘We might be able to make time if we put off our visit to the milliner’s on Tuesday at eleven.’

Caroline, who knew the visit to the milliner was fictitious, clapped her hands together and thanked both gentlemen very prettily. Henrietta was, unaccountably, less transported by joy.

‘Have you an ambition to see a lion, or were you more eager to please my cousin?’ she murmured in an undertone, as Lady Elstead received Lord Martley’s thanks. Lord Henfield frowned, and cast her a thoughtful look.