‘He will be very relieved when you go home, and not because of Dido, you know that, Henry,’ he said gently. It was the first time he had used her name since he came to London. Lady Elstead, who had been listening quite openly, since the conversation had hardly been deeply personal, snorted.

‘Henrietta, that is my niece’s name, and I am sure her father is well aware that if all goes well, “going home” will be transitory.’ She did not speak angrily, but there was insistence in her tone.

Charles Henfield said no more, but looked solemn for the rest of the meal. For her part, Henrietta found that she had no appetite, and pushed what was upon her plate around until everyone else had finished eating. When Lord Henfield left, she went up to her bedchamber to change her gown.

Caroline came and sat upon Henrietta’s bed, idly running a finger and thumb along a length of carmine satin ribbon.

‘You never mentioned that Lord Henfield was so handsome. If only he were not also so very severe.’

Henrietta almost dropped her hairbrush, and looked at her cousin reflected in the mirror.

‘Charles, severe? But he is the most …’ She halted, thinking of him last night, and today. He had been ‘Charles’ , ‘her Charles’, only for a moment or two and then something had happened, and he had withdrawn into ‘Lord Henfield’ and had confused her, being alternately prickly and judgemental, and rather sad.

‘Perhaps he finds London not to his taste,’ mused Caroline. ‘He does not look like a man who loves parties.’

‘No, I think he is not. He enjoys the company of friends, but not hours making polite small talk.’

‘I wonder why he came to Town, then.’

‘So do I.’

‘And yet,’ continued Caroline, ‘he does not look like those gentlemen from the Shires whose evening dress does not fit them well, and who tread on one’s feet in the sets. There is no rustic awkwardness to him at all. I saw him waltz with you and he was very good.’

‘Yes, I suppose he was.’

‘And he danced later with Miss Yate, who was more likely to tread upon his toes than the other way round. Have you ever seen a girl so clumsy?’

‘I … did not observe Miss Yate.’ This was not true. Henrietta had watched them dancing, and he had seemed more relaxed than with herself, had even looked as if putting his partner at her ease. He had not been at ease dancing with her. And Caroline thought him handsome. Henrietta sighed, and ran a hand along her brow.

‘Caroline, I am sorry, but I fear I have a headache coming on. I think I may lie quietly for an hour, so that I will feel better for this evening.’

‘Oh, you poor thing! Shall I bring you some lavender water for your temples?’ Caroline was all concern.