‘We are lost,’ cried Caroline, gripping her cousin’s hand. ‘My life is ruined.’ She burst into tears, and Henrietta led her gently to her room, which they entered just as Lord Martley handed his hat and gloves to Barlow, and sent his card, with his compliments, to Lord Elstead.

When he was admitted to the book room, he found Lord Elstead a very sombre man. His lordship had been exposed to his wife at her most emotional, which was not a pleasant thing, and he was aware that he was about to crush a decent young man’s hopes based solely upon hysteria. He offered Lord Martley a seat, which the nervous viscount rejected.

‘I, er, well, I would hope that you have some idea why I have asked to see you, my lord.’ Lord Martley wondered why he had tied his own neckcloth so damned tight it was strangling him.

‘Yes, I think I do.’ Lord Elstead did not sound delighted, in fact rather more as though he had just been informed of a death in the family.

‘Good. I mean, excellent, sir. Whilst the reason for my interview is known, I hope that the news I bring will surprise you in the best of ways. I am come into an inheritance, a very tidy inheritance, though I say it myself, from a great-uncle who lives, lived, in Sussex. He has left me his estate, which has a fine little house of eight bedrooms, and three acres of pleasure grounds, four farms with tenants sitting, totalling six hundred acres in the vicinity of Storrington, and a home farm. There is some ten thousand pounds in funds, and an income from the property of three thousand pounds per annum. I will, of course, inherit Hazelton House, and the lands and title upon the demise of my father, though I am delighted to say he is currently in good health. In short, sir, I can offer your daughter, for whom I entertain the most tender emotion, every comfort upon a modest scale as a newly married lady, and the position of chatelaine of Hazelton and Countess of Pirbright in the future. I am not in debt, other than what I owe my tailor for this quarter’s purchases, and I feel confident that nobody could say anything against my character. I therefore formally request permission to pay my addresses to your daughter, Miss Felbridge, and hope that the announcement of our bet—’ Lord Martley stopped. Lord Elstead had raised a hand.

‘I realise that this must appear most contrary to you, Martley, but despite all those very reasonable reasons why your suit should be accepted, I have, with great reluctance, to deny you what you seek.’