‘Is that so? Well, I have not heard any figures mentioned, but Lady Elstead has certainly not done anything to disabuse the Ton of the idea that the chit is heiress to a portion of Shropshire that would be a very pleasing addition to any man’s estates.’

‘So she is hunted by fortune-hunters too?’ Lord Henfield sounded outraged, as well as shocked.

‘Not the gazetted variety, no. They prefer short-term gain, and waiting is not their strong point. Let us just say, some would find that a life of moderate economy would be nice to leave behind at some stage in the future.’

Lord Henfield put his head in his hands and groaned.

‘And that will do you no good at all, young man. There is no sign whatsoever that her head is being turned. It might simply be that she is enjoying spreading her wings.’

‘That is essentially what Gorleston said at breakfast.’

‘He did?’ Lady Vernham looked genuinely surprised. ‘Well, I never! I have always considered my son to be amiable but far from acute.’

‘I think that sums up his view of himself too, ma’am, but he described you as “the downy one”.’

‘He ought not to describe me in such vulgar terminology,’ declared her ladyship, secretly pleased. ‘Now, back to the matter in hand. If you truly believe no other chit will make you happy then you have to work out what she wants from you.’

‘But that is the problem, ma’am. She wants the friend, not the suitor, and last night even the friend put her out of sorts.’

‘Can you not be both? There is no law of nature that says a lover may not be best friends with their beloved, nor that a friend may not entertain passion.’

‘At present, Lady Vernham, I am proving unable to show any success at either one, let alone combine the two.’

‘Having seen you last night, I can say, with some assurance, that you dither between the two, and thus are successful at neither.’

‘But you just said …’ Lord Henfield was confused as well as embarrassed.

‘There is a difference between being indecisive and charming the girl from a basis of long-standing friendship.’

‘Charming? Can I do charming?’ He sounded very sceptical about this.

‘If you put your mind to it. I have known some most charmless men who made enough effort and found themselves wives, and you do not lack charm, my boy, just confidence. You look at men like Netheravon and Newbold, and are defeatist. No doubt you say “I cannot be like them”.’

‘It would be an act.’

‘And what is your Miss Gaydon doing at present? Acting, as are they. Act with her, not against her, and at the end of the Season the girl can sigh and say what a glorious time she had, whilst having the security and comfort of a husband who will cherish her and also be her friend. Such a position is enviable.’