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They sat together on the sofa in front of the fireplace. ‘You know how I perceive what’s best for those I love when sometimes they don’t know so themselves?’

Angela nodded with a rueful smile. ‘And you know how dangerous such certainty can prove to be.’

‘I try not to exercise my conceits too often. But as I much desire Miss Stafford should marry Mr Digby and she desires it too, I had a plan. We were about to go to the Panorama two days ago. At the last moment I said I was feeling queasy and wanted to stay at home, they then had to go without me,’ she said, triumphant at her ingenuity.

‘And?’

‘Well, Miss Stafford came back looking different. Molly, our kitchen cat, has the same satisfied smile when she’s been licking the crust from Cook’s bowl of curds.’ The girl’s elfin face was flushed with delight.

Angelica could not stop herself from laughing. Serious again, she said, ‘You care a great deal for Miss Stafford, do you not?’ Elinor nodded. ‘You must trust that she and Mr Digby will manage their own affairs perfectly well without your help, you know.’ Angelica’s voice was kind as she took her hand. ‘It can become quite a burden if you think everyone’s happiness depends on you.’

The young girl was thoughtful for a moment and nodded, saying in a quiet voice, ‘However hard I tried, I could not make my mama live.’ Her whole body seemed to subside. Then her face brightened again. ‘Tell me about the ball. Papa would not talk much at all. He seemed very tired when he went to his library this morning.’

Angelica felt another jab of guilt at the thought of how much trouble she had brought to his door. ‘Your father’s house looked beautiful with all the flowers and candles.’

‘I think you looked beautiful in your dress and blue hair. Did you dance with Charlie?’

‘Indeed, I did. And with Mr Locke who thought poets shouldn’t dance but he did, as a favour to me.’

The girl’s candid blue eyes gazed into Angelica’s. ‘Did you dance with Papa?’

‘One dance.’

‘And did you like it? He doesn’t often dance.’

‘Yes. Very much. He’s a very good dancer.’

‘When I asked him if he thought you looked beautiful he said, “very”, that’s all he would say.’ Elinor turned away and added shyly, ‘Miss Leigh, I know you think I shouldn’t interfere but there’s something I want even more than Miss Stafford getting married to Mr Digby.’ She had clasped her hands together and her fingers were white with the force of her grip.

Angelica took her small interlaced hands between her own. ‘And what is that, Miss Elinor?’

‘I told Papa at breakfast this morning I wanted you for my new mama.’

Angelica gasped at such unexpected frankness, then felt a rush of affection for the motherless girl. She put her arms around her slight shoulders and kissed the top of her head. ‘Anybody would be fortunate indeed to have you as a daughter.’

Elinor Asprey pulled herself away and said, tears pricking her eyes, ‘I don’t want just anybody, I want you.’

‘I know. And I would be very happy to be your mama, but the world is complicated and our wishes can’t always come true.’ They sat together in silence, Angelica aware of the small frame and bird-like pulse under her hand. Her own heart was beating at the thought; above all she needed to know how his daughter’s surprising confession had affected Mr Asprey. Assuming a nonchalance she did not feel, she asked, ‘What did your papa say?’

‘Nothing.’ The girl hung her head for a moment then, lifting her gaze, she giggled. ‘But he did smile. He hasn’t smiled much since you left.’

Angelica could not stop herself smiling too; a small flame of hope ignited in her breast. They chattered on about music, piano practice, Angelica’s new play and the desirability of learning Greek. Too soon, there was a knock at the door and Martin appeared. ‘Miss Stafford for the young lady.’

‘I’m sorry. I’m sooner than expected but Mr Digby’s returning early from Westminster and needs me to research some of Mr Hume’s writings.’

Elinor caught Angelica’s eye who quelled the girl’s knowing expression with a quick frown as she turned to greet Miss Stafford. ‘Of course. We have had time enough for conversation and I shall look forward to meeting you all again when you come to see me in the new play.’

‘What time do you start rehearsals, Miss Leigh?’ Elinor Asprey asked.

‘Just after three this afternoon.’

‘And do you walk there?’

‘Yes, if the weather’s fine. It only takes half an hour. Why so many questions, Miss Asprey?’ Angelica smiled down at her. ‘Were you thinking of joining us?’

Miss Stafford intervened. ‘I’m afraid her music master is due this afternoon. He’s teaching Elinor the latest arrangement of some North Country dances.’

They entered the hall where Martin sprang forward, flourishing the young girl’s pelisse like a matador’s cape. Elinor giggled again and slipped her arms into the sleeves, then gave a quick curtsey to Angelica in farewell. Governess and charge tripped down the front steps and with a wave turned into the hazy sun to walk south to St James’s Square.