‘Your dear mama would have wanted you to have your Season, be presented at court as she was, and you are a dashed pretty girl, very like her in her youth. You will be a great success, as long as you remember not to consider yourself “a great success”.’ Observing her stunned expression, he rang for tea. However, when the door was opened, it was not the butler who entered, but a well-set-up young man of above average height, with dark chestnut hair, a ready smile and such ease as might have made him appear the son of the family. He came forward, hand outstretched, as Sir John rose from his chair.

‘Good afternoon, sir. No, no, please do not get up. I thought I might drop by to tell you that I met Mr Preston on the Ludlow road, and he said his pointer bitch has had a fine litter, and you can have your pick, or rather Henry can, as promised.’ He looked to Henrietta, who clapped her hands together.

‘Oh, Charles, how wo … but if I am going to London …’

‘London?’

‘Yes, my boy, Henrietta is off to dazzle in the firmament of society. Oh, there you are, Stone.’ The butler had entered. ‘Would you bring tea, please.’ His gaze reverted to his godson. ‘You will stay and take “tea and excitement”, won’t you, Charles?’

‘Er, yes, yes of course.’ Lord Henfield appeared almost as taken aback as Henrietta, but made a recovery. ‘Foolish of me not to have considered you disappearing for the Season, Henry. I am sure you will have a wonderful time. Just do not let some buck in yellow pantaloons turn your head with his finery, eh?’ His smile was broad, but his eyes did not echo the pleasure to quite the same degree. He took a seat to the right of the fire, and extended cold hands to its warmth, feigning preoccupation with the act of getting the blood flowing back in them. He had known Henrietta from her infancy, and she and his godfather were as ‘close family’ to him, with both his parents having deceased in the first five years after he attained his majority. He would miss her.

‘So what shall I do about the puppy? It was very kind of Mr Preston to remember how much I admired his pointer, and to offer us one of her litter, but if I am in London …’ Henrietta bit her lip.