‘This is far more exciting.’ He stood her on her feet once more. ‘Henry, there will be days when you flounce at me, when I play the dread husband and tell you off, when I make mistakes, and when you castigate me for being “a typical man”, but I will always love you, with all that I am.’

‘That is both realistic, and very sweet.’

‘Sweet?’ He laughed, and took her hand. ‘Let us go and reveal our news, which is news to none, before I say anything too “sweet”. “Sweet Lord Henfield” sounds all wrong.’

They entered a large room, where several parties were gathered at the windows, the sashes raised, and were peering at the granite arches. Only Mr Newbold turned around. Seeing them together, he knew his cause was lost, and if his smile was twisted and his tone a little bitter, then at least his words showed a good grace. It might smart for a day or so, being ‘beaten’, but it would be ungallant to appear petty.

‘The happy couple, I take it? Yes, of course you are.’ He paused, and gave a smooth lie. ‘I think, Miss Gaydon, that you and I both have narrowly escaped a … mistake. I was going to offer for you, you know, and if we were unfortunate, you would have accepted.’ He held out his hand to Lord Henfield. ‘I will not go so far as to say she picked the better man, Henfield, for my ego simply could not stand it, truly it would not, but I think she has made the right choice, for her.’

The hand was grasped, shaken. Mr Newbold took Henrietta’s hand and kissed it.

‘I … am sorry, Mr Newbold.’

‘No, no, do not be sorry. You have given me the most entertaining Season in years, Miss Gaydon, and I thank you for it.’ He managed to sound just sufficiently detached. ‘I think you have reminded me that bachelorhood need not be the only way of going on, and, you never know, I might find your equal, next year, or in the year after that.’

‘I hope not, sir. I would rather you find my better.’

‘Charmingly said, and with the beauty of being honestly said also. You will need your wits about you, Henfield, married to this young lady.’

‘They will be kept exercised.’ He grinned at Henrietta.

Lady Elstead turned at that moment, and saw the way they looked at each other.

‘Oh dear,’ she said, ‘what a pity.’

‘Aunt!’

‘Well, my dear, it will be said that I had nothing whatsoever to do with the match, and it will do my standing no good at all among the matrons. There may even be a suggestion that the match was decided before you ever came to London, which is most lowering.’

‘But you have Caroline’s success, ma’am.’ Henrietta ignored that the betrothal had been more in spite of her than because of her.