At this point Caroline and Henrietta entered the room together, and it was therefore impossible to tell that Lord Martley’s seraphic smile was directed at one and not the other. Caroline, under no illusions whatsoever, fought down the rising blush.

‘I trust no toes were too wet, ladies?’ Lord Martley looked happiness personified.

‘Thanks to you, my lord, only to the smallest degr— Oooh!’ Caroline jumped. The storm made one final effort to upset the ladies in London. Lady Elstead grabbed a cushion and held it in front of her face. Her husband gave Lord Martley a shake of his head and an embarrassed smile.

‘We would have been soaked, without a doubt, my lord, but for your umbrella.’ Henrietta tried to look as if the storm did not affect her so very much. She felt that she at least ought not to be frightened, even though she was, just a little bit.

‘I … We are very grateful for your assistance, sir. It was fortuitous that you happened to be passing at the time.’ Caroline’s voice shook very slightly, and it might have been the effect of the thunder. ‘I hope it is dry again this afternoon, when we are going to walk in the park with friends.’ She looked at him under her lashes, and he comprehended it in a moment.

‘They tend to pass quite quickly overhead, Miss Felbridge, thunderstorms, not friends, so I would expect that you will be able to enjoy your outing, as long as it is not too early.’

‘Oh no, it will be about the promenading hour,’ said Caroline blithely. She felt very clever.

‘Then I would hope that your perambulation takes place under blue skies.’ Lord Martley looked out of the window. ‘The black clouds are certainly moving away, and as Lord Elstead was saying, such storms do make the air wonderfully fresh and keep down the dust.’

‘Yes, my lord, but that is because the dust becomes muddy water that splashes on hems, and it is more difficult to remove than from boots.’ Henrietta smiled wryly.

‘I shall remind my valet of that when he “tut tuts” over mine, Miss Gaydon.’

‘My dear, I think you may put down the cushion.’ Lord Elstead looked at his wife, who was now clasping the cushion to her bosom, as though wild horses would not part her from it.

‘But has it gone, my lord?’

‘That last crack was more distant. It has passed over us and gone on so …’ As if to prove this there was a flash, which made her ladyship flinch, but then a gap of some moments before the rumble, which was a more rolling sound. ‘You see, you may be easy.’

Lady Elstead heaved a deep sigh, and placed the cushion back in its place, smoothing the fabric.

‘And its passage is my cue to depart, my lord, ladies.’ Lord Martley made his bow, and left, with a single brief glance that Caroline knew was all hers.