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‘Oh, yes, and I’ve been practising. But I prefer to play alongside Sybella.’

‘Well, that would be charming. A four-handed duet. How diverting.’

‘No, Sybella plays the violin.’

‘What? No, no, no! That will never do. Sybella, surely your mama would have told you how improper it is for a young woman to play the violin, or the flute. Only the piano-forte or the harp are acceptable instruments for ladies. Surely you know this?’

‘Dear Augusta, rest assured, Mama knew nothing about it. I only acquired the violin when I married. It belonged to my husband, bought from an Italian in the Peninsula. James began to teach me to play but after he died, I continued alone. I love the violin, its sound and the fact it’s his and keeps me close to him.’

Lady Godley regretted her sharpness of tone. These young women had not had the benefit of a strict society education, they had no mother latterly to instruct them and their manners were naturally more free and easy. ‘Bella dear, I do understand. It’s just about acceptable for you to play privately, as long as the servants don’t see you. The violin is a man’s, not even a gentleman’s, instrument, and it really would be considered improper for you to stand up in front of an audience and show off yourself in such a way. Oh! With your arms raised and your form exposed! No, no!’ Lady Godley seemed to be quite overcome with the imagined effect on her guests. ‘In fact, with a figure as fine as yours, my dear, such display would be thought quite indecent, I fear.’ The sisters exchanged a knowing look, full of suppressed amusement.

Lady Godley subsided in her seat and was silent for a time as she composed herself.

‘Bella, do you play the piano-forte at all?’

‘I do, but not as well as Lucie. I think it better if she plays and sings a couple of airs, perhaps? She has a lovely voice.’

‘That’s a good idea. And if any other young woman present wants to play or sing, that will be pleasing. I’m inviting the Countess of Stafford and her daughter, Lady Cleome. She’s very beautiful, although not as ravissante as you, dearest Lucie, and I’m sure has been brought up to be truly accomplished too. She might add to the entertainment.’

Lucie’s eyes met Sybella’s and they understood just what each was thinking. This young woman was the vision that had lit up the Bear Inn on their journey to Town. Sybella also knew, but had not confided to her sister, that this young beauty had been chosen by the overbearing Mr Brabazon as the preferred bride for his ward. And it seemed he was a man whose will was rarely thwarted. Her heart sank. The politics of the haut ton were complicated and dispiriting, but she knew these snares and illusions had to be employed to secure a future for her beloved sister.

Lady Godley opened up her piano-forte to show Lucie how well it played. ‘I bought it when Pomeroy died. He did not appreciate music at all. It’s made by John Broadwood & Sons.’ She stroked its rich veneer. ‘I chose it over a Clementi. The tone was so much warmer.’

‘It’s beautiful.’ Lucie sat at the keyboard and tentatively played the beginning of the ballad ‘Oh Nancy, Wilt Thou Go With Me?’ Sybella watched with a pang. She loved this tune and had practised with her sister the charming counter-melody for the violin. Lady Godley’s appalled reaction to the idea of her playing made her suddenly self-conscious, remembering how Mr Brabazon had been her silent audience in the orchard as she played to calm her bees. His presence had made her natural pleasure in making music now something tainted by impropriety. What had he thought of her? It made her antipathy for him the stronger, although she knew it was illogical and unfair. It occurred to her that perhaps, like him, she was too prideful and disliked being wrong-footed. This was a trait she would rather not possess. Then Lucie began to sing, and her voice and the beautiful melody eased her heart. Lady Godley smiled benignly.

‘I’ll send the cards out tomorrow.’

Sybella took Lucie’s arm and they headed for the stairs to change for dinner. But first she found James with Nurse preparing him for bed. ‘What an exciting day you’ve had, my darling. Are you enjoying being here?’

He was in his nightclothes and jumping up and down on the bed. ‘Like the Park and ’orses and collicles and ducks. Like being with you an’ Nurse an’ Lucie. Lady God is like a sparrow an’ I’m missin’ Dasher and George.’

‘I know you’re missing them. But I’m glad you like it here too. There are so many interesting things I want to show you. And don’t forget we will be going home in the summer. Goodnight, my cherub.’ She kissed him.

Sybella woke early. She was hoping to give Scipio a good run to get rid of his fidgets. He had not had proper exercise since he had arrived in London. Gem had told her that the serious riders went to Hyde Park before breakfast when the social strollers and carriage drivers were still abed. She put on her riding habit and a modest military-style hat with a peak and vertical feather and cockade and crept quietly out of the house. Walking briskly round to the mews, she knew she would find Gem up, tending to the horses and more than happy to accompany her and Scipio on one of Lady Godley’s hacks.

They trotted at ease in the early sunshine up Green Street towards Park Lane. There was such a soothing rhythm to Scipio’s fluid movement under her, Sybella relaxed and turned her face to the pale sun. Gem drew his horse abreast of hers. ‘Now, Miss Bella, I know how you are with Scipio. Nothing more taxing than a canter allowed here, you know that, don’t you? None of your hey-go-mad gallops. Lady Godley’s groom warned me. It’s one of the rules.’

‘Oh, Gem, I know. There are so many rules, so many hobbles to fall into.’ She smiled wanly. ‘It will be a relief to go home.’

‘Yes, fortunate George, keeping the Manor and its lands warm for you!’ Gem had known the sisters since they were harum-scarum girls still in the nursery and always up to some lark or other. And he was sympathetic to how hard it was for them to constrain themselves within the strict etiquette of Town.

‘I hope he’s enjoying his freedom from us?’ Sybella chuckled.

‘He’s enjoying being busy. Mr Brabazon has been down to ask his advice about his own estates. He’s up to something there.’

‘What? Been to the Manor? He didn’t ask my permission. How high-handed!’ Gem looked at his mistress with narrowed eyes. It was not like her to fly into the boughs like this. That was more Miss Lucie’s trick. They were approaching the Park gates and he slowed his horse to let Sybella and Scipio pass through.

‘I wouldn’t get in a pother, Miss Bella. George will never do anything out of order. You can trust him.’

‘Oh, it’s not George I don’t trust, I assure you.’

Scipio’s ears pricked up and his nostrils flared as he breathed in the cold green air of the Park. He was skittish and Sybella had to concentrate on holding him steady. Gem was watching carefully. ‘You know, he’s a big handsome horse for a lady to handle. You’ve not had him gelded and that makes him even more hell-fired. He’s much more mettlesome with other horses about than he is at home with an empty field before him. He’s quite a show-off.’

‘Gem, don’t you go hedging me in now! You know I can handle him. We understand each other. Let’s head towards the Serpentine to the Row laid out for horses and carriages.’

They set off at a brisk trot. Most of the riders were gentlemen, some mounted on flashy high-steppers. They inclined their heads to Sybella in courteous greeting as they passed and she in turn acknowledged them with a slight smile. Those who were impertinent enough to run their eyes over her in an appraising way she cut by lifting her chin and smartly turning her face away. Gem, riding just a few strides behind her, could see what a stir the sight of a good-looking young woman on a spirited black stallion, not the usual lady’s palfrey, caused amongst the knots of young blades and Corinthians exercising their bloodstock in the early hours.

Where the landscape opened up and there were fewer horses, Sybella eased Scipio into a canter. Gem was close behind and so far unconcerned. She could feel Scipio’s energy coiled like a spring beneath her, his neck extended, excitement vibrating through the reins. She was having to hold him back but they both felt the exhilaration of speed through the cold air. She ran a gloved hand gently down his neck. She loved this horse and liked to think he knew it and cared about her too. Riding behind her, Gem appreciated she was a fine neck-or-nothing rider, as good as her father. He’d been out with her in the hunting field and she had sailed over hedges and gates with the best of them. Since she was a girl, she had been a courageous and sensitive rider, and Gem could see the same high heart in her son.