‘When he has been doing his level best to win your affections the better part of these last two months?’ snorted Charles. ‘Hardly credible.’

‘Oh dear, Charles, are you so very slow?’ she mocked. ‘Lord Martley has not fallen in love with me, and I never even gave a thought to it.’ That was a lie, but how lowering to admit one had thought it, at least for a while. ‘He has been pretending to court me to see as much as he can of Caroline, with whom he is besotted, but his suit would not find favour with my aunt.’

‘That is ridiculous. There is nothing said to his detriment, and he is the heir to an earldom.’

‘Wherein lies, as they say, the rub.’ Henrietta smiled, showing off her superior knowledge.

‘Do not tell me Lady Elstead has decided only a marquess or a duke will do for her daughter.’

‘No, but I should say any earldom but that of Pirbright.’

‘I say again, ridiculous,’ grumbled Charles.

‘That is as may be, but it is true. I only wish I knew the basis of it, because then we might get around it.’

‘We?’ Charles looked very suspicious.

‘Well, I am obviously trying to help Lord Martley and my cousin,’ explained Henrietta reasonably.

‘Help them to flout her parents’ wishes? Hmm. Do not tell me you are planning some elopement, Henrietta, because I tell you frankly …’ He was losing his temper, and part of him was wondering why.

‘Elopement? I would not dream of such a thing, and take it very hard that you should even imagine it of me.’ She pouted. ‘No, I am simply trying to help them win Lady Elstead round to the idea of their marriage. I do not, of course, know Lord Martley’s financial situation, but I hope that he need not depend upon his parents, since they may choose to cut his allowance.’

‘They object also? Good grief, Henrietta, what are you about? These family decisions are not yours to make.’

‘Nor ought it to be two silly sets of parents blighting the lives of their children for the sake of some stupid “feud” that dates back over a quarter of a century.’

‘They would not.’ Charles now looked puzzled as well as angry.

‘They have, I tell you. I cannot find out for sure what began it, only that Lady Elstead and Lady Pirbright hold each other in the most violent dislike, and it dates back to when both were single. My thought is that both admired the same gentleman.’

‘And you think to play Cupid? Grow up, Henrietta.’

‘I have grown up, Charles, except you have not noticed, or have tried to pretend I am still a schoolgirl. You stand there, daring, yes, daring to berate me as though you were Papa or my big brother …’

‘No.’ He shouted the word, came swiftly to her, and took her by the elbows.