He rapped assertively at the door, only to be informed that Lord and Lady Elstead, and party, had departed but a few minutes beforehand, bound for Somerset House. This was a blow, but Lord Henfield was not to be put off. He made his best pace to Piccadilly, where he could be sure of finding a hackney, and hailed one as it turned onto the thoroughfare. When given the direction, the jarvey sucked his teeth.

‘Can’t trust to get you there soon, guv’nor, there bein’ so many folk goin’ to see ’is ’ighness open that there bridge. Best I can suggest is to take you along Long Acre and down as far as I can on Drury Lane.’

‘Then do so, as swiftly as you may.’

By heading north before going further east, there were no delays until the vehicle reached Drury Lane, where its pace was reduced to a walk. Two thirds of the way down, Lord Henfield tapped on the roof and said that he would walk the rest. He paid the jarvey, with thanks, and made his way through the flow of humanity heading towards the river. He arrived, feeling fortunate to still have his watch and purse about him, to be greeted with the news that the man at the Strand entrance of Somerset House had seen various vehicles arrive, and would have to consult his list. This he did with painstaking slowness, before confirming that Lord Elstead’s party had arrived. There then followed a short altercation, since the man was reluctant to allow Lord Henfield access to the building on a day when a view of the proceedings was worth its weight in gold. This ‘hint’, and the proffering of a sovereign, facilitated Lord Henfield’s admission.

He had no idea where to find Henrietta, except that logic told him it would be in the block facing onto the river, and which housed the Navy Board. He entered the building, and, looking right, saw a small group of people being ushered along the passageway. He could not identify the ladies, but Lord Martley’s voice reached him, and he made an educated guess that he would be with his intended. He all but ran along the passage, and called Lord Elstead’s name as the party reached a magnificent stairway spiralling upwards.

‘Lord Elstead.’

Lord Elstead, who was already on the fourth stair, turned. ‘Henfield.’

‘I am sorry, my lord, but I need to speak with Miss Gaydon, privately.’

‘Papa!’ cried Henrietta, hearing the urgency in Charles’ voice.

‘Not bad news, I assure you, Henrietta.’

‘How unusual,’ drawled Mr Newbold. ‘I have never before heard of a man who abandons his bride to tell another lady of his nuptials.’

‘What do you mean, Mr Newbold?’ breathed Henrietta, her eyes on Charles.