Disengaging from the conversation, Lord Martley wove his way through the crowd to present himself before the two young ladies. Miss Felbridge gave a small ‘oh’ of delighted surprise, and if her cheeks were a little pink it was not from embarrassment.

‘Miss Felbridge, Miss Gaydon, I trust that I find you in excellent health this evening, and ready to wear your dancing slippers into rags, or whatever one does with slippers, from dancing all evening.’ He sounded bouncy, and fun, after Sir Lawrence’s leaden overtures, and even Lady Elstead, who had been watching in a bemused way, could not deny that he appeared friendly and not at all intense and lover-like. Of course, she was not eighteen, and nor was she already three parts in love with him.

Sir Lawrence was not a man to understand subtle hints. He did not, therefore, make a request for a dance and then withdraw, but remained, just like the cleavers plant with which Henrietta had compared him.

‘As I was saying, Miss Gaydon, it is rare that one finds a young lady who can conduct a conversation upon a sensible subject whilst dancing, and …’

‘You must have been dancing with all the wrong young ladies, Coleford,’ interrupted Lord Martley, beaming. ‘My sisters used to chatter like jays, or was it jackdaws, when they were at their dancing lessons, and on the most erudite subjects, and a young lady with whom I danced earlier was telling me about the state of the road out to Knightsbridge. I could point her out to you, if you wish.’

Sir Lawrence looked rather taken aback by this.

‘I, er …’

‘If the state of the King’s highway is not your subject, there is always Miss Daresbury, who has strong views upon the abolition of slavery in the Colonies, but I do warn you that she dances the right steps but never quite to the beat of the music. I think I saw her over by …’

‘Thank you, Martley. That will not be necessary.’

‘I have the second cotillion after supper free, Sir Lawrence,’ offered Henrietta, keeping a straight face.

‘Then please place my name beside it. I shall await it with unfathomable pleasure.’ Sir Lawrence bowed, as Caroline bit her lip and Lord Martley suffered a twitching of the muscles in his cheeks. He then, with a great show of reluctance, moved away.

‘“Unfathomable”?’ managed Lord Martley. ‘Well, I can safely say I find the greatest pleasure in dancing with both of you ladies, but I would never say that it was “unfathomable”. Makes it sound a silly thing to be happy about.’

Caroline gave way to giggles behind her fan, and her mama rebuked her.

‘Dare we ask what “erudite” subjects your sisters discussed, my lord?’ Henrietta had mastered her voice.

‘Ah, well that is where I have to make a confession. My sisters never discussed anything other than hats, and trimmings on gowns from what I heard. Had to think of something, and …’