‘It is a great pity she and Mama are such close friends. I fear the others at dinner will not be … vibrant, and if we finish late, I do not think we will go on to Lady Donnington’s, which is a pity, because there will be dancing and our friends will all be there.’ Caroline sighed. She was thinking of one friend very particularly.

‘When I first came to London, I wondered if I might find life a little flat afterwards, since our time is so filled with events, but I am starting to think it may yet be a blessed relief, at least to my feet. I am a great walker at home, but standing for hours, and dancing almost every evening, does take its toll.’ Henrietta rang the bell at her bedside. ‘Now, Caroline, I am going to cast you out and get up and dressed. I think I will write a letter to my papa after luncheon, since I have been very remiss and have not sent him any news for over a week. He will be wondering what has happened to me.’

‘Or will think you so busy gadding about that you have not had time, dear Cousin.’

‘I will always have time for Papa.’

There was a knock at the door, and Sewell entered.

‘There now.’ She bobbed a curtsey, but addressed both young ladies firmly. ‘Here are you both, and her ladyship rung for her maid this half hour since. It is the young as is meant to be able to stay up to all hours, but I am not so sure.’

‘Her ladyship did not dance all evening, Sewell.’ Henrietta pushed her cousin from the edge of the bed, and threw back the covers. ‘But behold me now ready to face the day.’

‘What is left of it,’ muttered Sewell, and shook her head.

Caroline departed, laughing.

CHAPTER TWELVE

The two cousins set off upon the short walk to Hookham’s Library a little after noon, defying the gloomy prediction of Barlow the butler that they would get very wet. He eyed the skies with a sense of foreboding and ensured that the footman carried an umbrella, but the young ladies were more interested in chatter than meteorology. Both kept from the subjects closest to their hearts, but there was plenty to discuss that had nothing to do with the Lords Martley or Henfield, and they arrived in Bond Street still perfectly dry. The main object of their visit proved unattainable, since the volume in question was out upon loan, but they did meet two other young ladies, exchanged views upon Mrs Edgeworth’s latest book, and emerged a half hour later to a black sky, and a rolling rumble of thunder.