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Corinna interrupted their masculine banter. ‘Gentlemen, spare Miss Gray’s blushes. I hope you will all be gracing Lady Bassett’s ball tomorrow night?’

Men about Town liked to complain about the dullness of the Season’s balls and musical soirées, largely because most hostesses refused to provide gaming tables. Experienced hostesses did not care to see the male guests drift away from dance floor or musical entertainment, seduced by the more diverting charms of cards and dice. But Lady Bassett was a gamester herself and very happy to combine as many pleasures as she legally could at her famous ball.

Ferdy Shilton was keen. ‘I surely will. I can’t ignore a chance to display my latest sartorial triumph. I’ve had Meyer craft me an evening coat in silver grey to wear with my oyster silk pantaloons.’

Lord Purfoy was less enthusiastic. ‘As you know I’d rather be at my club but I promised Miss Gray a dance in penance for my reckless driving. I won’t stay long. Such glittering gallimaufry adds to the deadly tedium of Town life.’

‘Oh come on, Raven, you know you find it diverting seeing all the new debutantes and their mamas, the old roués and young sprigs jostling for preferment. You enjoy nothing more than casting a cynical eye over the passing show.’ Alick knew his friend well.

Zadoc Flynn was emphatic in his delight. ‘I’m pleased to be able to attend. It will be interesting to contrast a big ball during the London Season with the dances back home.’ He returned to his meal but then mentioned his controversial plan. ‘I intend to bring a guest. I know I haven’t obtained an invitation for her, but she has never been to such an event and I thought it would be a treat for her to have a taste of a different life.’ He looked rather shamefaced.

Lord Purfoy noticed his demeanour and asked, ‘Different, how different?’

‘Well, she’s a performer at Prebbles Flying Circus, a friend of Miss Gray’s.’

‘And her name?’

‘Miss Bowman, Rose Bowman.’

Ferdy Shilton looked doubtful. ‘Beware, without an invitation, your guest may be turned away. Regardless of her own dubious past and unconventional present, Lady Bassett is an enforcer of the proprieties at her social events. I think she’s afraid of a brawl breaking out, or any hint of scandal. Making a point of her virtuousness erases her scandalous record.’ Eliza felt her unease grow. She did not wish either Rose or herself to be exposed and disgraced.

5

LOVE AND LOSS AT THE BASSETT BALL

Corinna woke early, her mind full of vague anxiety. Alick’s hand lay on her stomach and in stirring she woke him too. He pulled her into his arms and buried his face in her hair. ‘I hope you slept well.’

‘I did until just now when worries assailed me.’ She yawned and shaded her eyes against the shaft of early sun that streamed across the bed.

Alick propped himself on an elbow so he could see her face better. ‘Why? What concerns you, my love?’

‘Our guests. The reins are slipping from my fingers.’ She laughed. ‘You know how I don’t care to be out of control of events. We have so much to think of: your work on the estate, my painting, time with Emma and now our coming baby.’

Alick had flopped down on the pillow again, his right arm slipping around her shoulders. ‘Tell me what Miss Gray and Mr Flynn are up to that concerns you.’

‘Eliza really needs to find her family and I’m not sure where we can begin in that quest. We have no clues, as I had with my father’s gifts. But she has such a distinctive look, I can only hope someone recognises her.’

‘That seems unlikely but it’s all beyond our control anyway.’

It calmed Corinna’s mind to feel her husband’s physical warmth and strength of character. She looked up into his face. ‘I know. But without meaning to be, Eliza’s quite a disruptive presence. I’ve never known Raven so out of sorts; he’s even breaking his lifelong insistence on sleeping until noon. These last days, he’s been up early to exercise Horatio himself!’

Alick laughed. ‘Don’t you worry. Purfoy’s proof against the most irresistible siren. He’s made sure his heart has turned to stone. I’m not sure it’s Miss Gray’s fault he’s out of his cot before noon.’

Corinna stirred, disconsolate. ‘Then there’s your wild relation from across the seas. He goes missing late at night. Ferdy says he leaves the club to go off to some show or pursue some lady love. Is he over here to find a wife or just to kick over the traces?’

Alick’s left hand had begun to trace the blue veins beneath his wife’s luminous skin. He murmured in her ear, ‘I know he intends to buy a fine horse, which is probably a cheaper option.’

Corinna sat up abruptly, her eyes flashing and her hair in disarray. ‘Alick, take this seriously!’

He chuckled. ‘I’m finding it very hard to do so when you’re so close to me and in such dishabille.’ He pulled her to him again and enfolded her in his arms. ‘I love your body swelling with our child. You are impossible to resist, darling Corinna!’

Corinna’s face was under his chin and she remonstrated weakly as his lips moved slowly down her neck. ‘I’m trying to talk to you about our troublesome guests and need your advice.’

‘Well, wait until you’ve put on something to wear. I can’t think of anything but you when you’re in my arms, smelling so sweet and warm, rosy as the dawn.’ His voice was muffled against her skin. In a deft movement Corinna extricated herself and skipped to the chair where his silk banyan had been tossed the previous night. Tying it firmly high above her swelling belly she returned to sit beside him on the bed. He looked at her, his hair unruly and his brown eyes full of amusement and desire.

Corinna was thoughtful. ‘I feel a strange protectiveness towards Eliza. Is it just because she has not known a mother’s love and care?’

Alick stretched his arms behind his head and with his eyes on his wife’s face said, ‘It may be you recognise your own plight in her. Your lack of family and need to belong somewhere. But you cannot be responsible for the whole world, my darling.’