Caroline was on tenterhooks, wondering if, and indeed how, Lord Martley might ‘casually’ encounter them. Of course, since the Misses Fairburn were unaware of the umbrella incident, they would not be suspicious, but Henrietta must be. In fact, when, after about ten minutes, they met his lordship sauntering along in company with Lord Chilwell, Henrietta was so caught up in her own thoughts that she did not think it engineered in any way. Lord Martley made his bow to the ladies, and, for the briefest moment, his eyes met Caroline’s and sparkled with amusement at a secret shared. He was, however, circumspect, and ensured that he included the other young ladies in his lightweight conversation, and then, whilst Lord Chilwell sought to speak to Henrietta for a few minutes, he managed to have a precious interchange with his love.

‘You were so clever, Miss Felbridge,’ he murmured.

‘Ah, but your comprehension was so swift, my lord.’ She blushed a little. ‘And you found us so easily.’

‘You may think that, but in fact I have nearly worn out the soles of my boots upon these pathways.’ He grinned, and then added, more seriously, ‘I would walk barefoot to be able to meet with you.’

‘Oh, how romantic.’

‘I mean it, Miss Felbridge. Now you must attend to me. I shall continue to make your cousin as much my focus of attention as your dear self, to preclude gossip, but I must ensure that she does not feel that I have led her to expect … In short, I must arrange to speak privately with her, and confess my feelings, not for her, but for you. I am sure that she will not betray us. I am right in this?’

‘I am sure that you are, but would you not prefer me to approach her?’

‘It is my responsibility, and I am not a shirker.’

‘I do not think it. I admire your honesty … as I do the rest of you, my lord.’ She glanced shyly, but very tenderly, at him, and his heart thumped.

‘Not worthy,’ he mumbled, and then spoke in a more normal and bantering tone, addressing his friend and Miss Gaydon. ‘You do not want to attend to anything that Chilwell says, ma’am, for he is a notorious bumble-head.’

‘See how the man I account, or at least accounted, as my friend traduces me, Miss Gaydon. Ought I to call him out?’

‘Oh, I do not think so, my lord, for Lord Martley is known to be always funning.’

‘Deadly serious, I assure you, Miss Gaydon.’ Lord Martley placed his hand over his heart.

‘You see, he covers his heart lest I choose it as my point of aim,’ declared Lord Chilwell.

‘Not at all, my dear fellow, since if you were to aim at it, I could at least be safe in the knowledge that you would not hit me there.’ Lord Martley was laughing, and the Misses Fairburn giggled as one.