‘Thank you. I shall ring and ask Caroline to come down and thank you herself, of course.’

‘No, no’ – Lord Henfield raised a hand – ‘that will not be at all necessary. I would, however, be grateful of a few minutes with He … Miss Gaydon.’ He saw her ladyship’s expression grow wary. ‘You will understand that Sir John and I are in frequent communication, and some messages are best made in person rather than by letter.’

It was a lie, but only the very slightest of changes in his lordship’s expression might have revealed it to the observant, and Lady Elstead was not observant.

‘Yes, yes. I understand. You stand very much in place of a brother to Henrietta, I know.’

Had Lady Elstead jumped to this conclusion on her own, or had Henry spoken of him in such terms that his ‘fraternal’ relationship was clear? He wished he might deny it unequivocally.

‘I shall leave you and send her here. I hope you will not report that I have been too rash, permitting her to go to see the beasts.’ Her smile was false.

Henrietta stepped into the room to find Charles facing away from her, staring at the clock upon the mantelshelf, his hands locked behind him. Ever since they had parted yesterday, she had been anticipating this interview, the rebuke, and had worked herself up into a temper. She was even aware that it was contrived, and yet felt unable to control it.

‘Goodness, Charles, why do I have the sensation I am about to be told off?’ She sounded arch, even to her own ears.

‘Because you know why I must speak with you.’ He turned, his face emotionless. ‘Your behaviour yesterday …’

‘Was very level-headed.’ She sighed. ‘I know it is fashionable to be all fluttery and “lost”, but really, in such a situation one ought to keep a sense of proportion.’ She intentionally misunderstood him. He frowned. It put him off his stride.

‘Yes, well, afterwards … I admit you were a voice of reason among the ladies present, and that is to be commended, not disparaged, but …’

‘How generous of you to say so, Charles.’ There was an edge to her tone, sarcastic, bitter.

‘Do not play games with me, Henrietta. You know full well it is your behaviour when the situation arose that concerns me.’

‘I cannot see wh—’

‘What were you thinking of? Had I agreed to your lunacy your cousin would have been at risk of being bitten by a wild animal. Why on earth were you so keen to delay, to have Martley show himself the hero? If anything, would it not have encouraged your cousin to think of him in that light?’

‘No, since he is already viewed that way.’

‘By you?’ Charles sounded incredulous.

‘Do not be silly, Charles, of course not by me. By Caroline.’