‘With the likes of you before me? No. Above my touch, Miss Gaydon. My tongue would tie itself into knots, and my feet too, if I were dancing with her.’

‘I do not think she takes what any of us say to heart, flattery or “knots”. Very quick-witted, she is, but do you know what, I get the feeling she is playing with us all, Newbold included.’

‘That’s a dashed unpleasant thing to suggest.’ Lord Gorleston looked quite shocked.

‘Oh no, no, not in an intentional way. I cannot really explain. I do not think her heartless, only … none of us seem to have found her heart. She is amusing and amused, but … No, I cannot explain.’ He pulled a face as his shot went awry. ‘See, thinking about it has made me miss that cannon!’

CHAPTER FOUR

Lady Elstead had arranged for the two girls to make their curtsey at a drawing room at the beginning of April. Both young ladies were quite shocked at the required dress, which was so outmoded, with its hoops and ostrich feathers, and actually laughed, until they tried curtseying whilst wearing them.

‘You make too much fuss, the both of you. Why, I can assure you your grandmama had panniers that stuck out well over an arm’s length either side of her and managed perfectly well. The portrait that hangs on the turn of the stairs at Selmarsh shows it. Do you not recall it, Caroline, from when you last visited your Uncle Rustington?’

‘I … oh yes, the lady with the tall white wig. I cannot decide which looked more awkward to wear, having such a thing on one’s head, or having to walk sideways through doorways. Henrietta, she really did have skirts that made her look as if there were planks of wood inside them, and the bodice and skirt were entirely separate. Did you not say that ladies sometimes found mice in their wigs, Mama?’

‘I believe they did, so be thankful you have but ostrich plumes in your hair.’

‘And not an ostrich?’ Henrietta giggled. She did not giggle, however, when she found out the cost of the ensemble, and went quite pale.

‘For a gown I will wear but once? Oh, Aunt, what will Papa think?’

‘Your papa is well aware of the cost of being presented, my dear, and whilst I agree it is a pity that the money cannot go towards more useful apparel, this is the way it is done, and everyone has the same expense. Now, I want to see you lower than that in the curtsey, and no wobbling, not even a tremor to make the plumes move, do you hear?’