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‘I know I don’t have to, Mrs Lovatt,’ he said quietly. ‘But I would like to. I have some business to conduct at the Hall.’

Sybella nodded. ‘I would be happy to think we could give James the most comfortable journey home. I am grateful to you, Mr Brabazon.’

He bowed. ‘It’s the least I can do.’ He walked over to James and took his hand. ‘I am very sorry, Jim, that you got trampled by my horses. I’m sure they are sorry too. Your mama is right, I was driving too fast.’ Sybella realised what this admission meant from such a proud man and although he had been unable to apologise to her directly, her anger against him subsided a little.

‘Wanted to show you my kite,’ James replied, looking up at him and holding out the present he had just been given.

‘It’s a fine kite. I’m afraid I won’t be able to take you up in my curricle as I promised, but you and your mama are going home in my special chaise, drawn by my best four bays. I think you will approve.’

‘Rum prancers, Mr B?’ The angelic face looked up seriously.

‘Indeed. My very best.’

‘Good. George like to see ’em.’

‘And I’ll be riding Hades alongside the chaise and change him halfway for Poseidon, who is my second-best prancer.’

James was excited by mention of this new horse and struggled to sit up. His face went pale with the pain. ‘Ooow! Oh, Mama!’ he wailed.

Sybella hurried forward. ‘Just stay still, sweetheart. It’s going to be very sore until your rib heals.’

Mr Brabazon’s face softened and he squeezed the small pudgy hand that was still in his.

‘What a brave soldier you are, Jim,’ he said softly.

James looked up, his mind still on this new horse he struggled to name. ‘Is ’idon a black or grey?’

‘Poseidon is a grey, with spots.’

James’s eyes widened. ‘Good. Like spots. Dasher ’as spots.’ Remembering how much he loved his own pony cheered him. ‘See Dasher soon.’

Within a week, the doctor gave permission for James to travel. Everyone had gathered at Green Street to say goodbye. Lady Godley hugged Sybella close. ‘I have so enjoyed everything about having you here. You and James and Lucie have brought joy into my life. Merci mes chéries du fond de mon coeur.’

Lucie threw her arms around her sister and buried her face in her neck. ‘You have made it possible for me to be this happy. I shall miss you, but we’ll be together soon. Thank you, Bella, for everything.’ She took Lord Lynwood’s hand and reached for Lord Ravenell’s. ‘Freddie and Val will keep me safe and amused.’

Those handsome young men saluted Sybella and James. ‘You behave yourself now, young Jim. You’ve grown so much bigger since we first met you. So no more scampery. But we’ll see you soon.’

Lord Ravenell then folded Sybella’s hand in both of his and said fervently, ‘Your coming to Town with your sister has changed my life. Lucie possibly saved it. I now have two friends of my heart and I am more grateful than you can know.’ His blue eyes, more often sparkling with natural exuberance and wit, were serious now and full of feeling. ‘You and Lucie have taught me of love and I know now I need to find it for myself. Even if it means I have to live in Italy.’ His mischievous twinkle had returned as he looked across at his friends. ‘And I have threatened Freddie and Loo that until that day comes, I’ll be moving in with them!’

Touched by his words, Sybella spontaneously pulled him towards her and kissed him on the cheek. ‘You will always have a welcome with James and me at the Manor.’

‘I thank you for that.’ He kissed her hand.

‘Dear Sister, Sybella! Lucie and I will be back at the Manor soon.’ Lord Lynwood fervently kissed her cheek. ‘Thank you for bringing this angel to Town. I can’t bear to think of her existing unknown, unseen in remotest country.’

‘Oh, Freddie, don’t exaggerate! It can’t have been so remote, you’d already found me, and managed to fall at my feet. I didn’t have to go to London to meet you,’ Lucie reminded him, laughing.

‘Ah, but it’s only when we were here and I had to rescue you from a fall that I realised my life wouldn’t be worth living without you.’ His eyes darkened under his tousled black hair as he glowered at the memory, the exemplar of a poetically brooding young blood.

‘Yes, Bella, we’ll be back at the Manor soon. We have a wedding to plan!’ Lucie grabbed Lord Lynwood’s hand and, overcome with the ecstasy of love and the blessing of fortune, pressed both his and her sister’s hands to her lips.

The sound of a carriage drew their attention to the window. Lord Lynwood noticed it first. ‘Dash me! He’s decked out his smartest carriage for you, Sybella. I’ve only once been allowed to travel in it. It’s so comfortable, it sends its occupants to the Land of Nod. I think he’s trying to make amends.’ He laughed. There was a knock on the door and Mr Brabazon was shown into the room. He was dressed for travel. His long, caped riding coat was worn over a coat and buckskin breeches with polished top boots. He was a picture of masculine strength and elegance. Despite herself, Sybella felt a quickening of her pulse.

Brabazon’s groom, John, and Samson had loaded on their luggage and it just remained for James to walk slowly down the front steps, holding his mother’s hand tightly, with Nurse on his other side. He was back in a new blue suit and his face was no longer marred by scabs and grazes. He could not contain his excitement when he saw the shiny dark blue coach harnessed to the best-looking bays he had ever seen. There too was Hades, so big and dark as night.

Mr Brabazon lifted him gently into the chaise, where fur rugs on the floor and seat and hot bricks under their feet awaited the occupants. He took Sybella’s hand and handed her in. Nurse too was helped up and she settled across from Sybella and James. Samson closed the door and, with his head at the window, said with unexpected emotion, ‘Now ye look after yerself, Master James. Young jackanapes. Shall miss yer. Miss Sybella, too.’ He tipped his hat.

Mr Brabazon swung himself into the saddle and his groom sat as postilion on the leading horse, as the carriage moved smoothly off. Sybella laid James across the seat with his head on her lap. Nurse settled into the corner and promptly fell asleep to the rhythmic sway of the high-sprung coach. Sybella watched the changing scene outside the window. They had left London behind and were on the road that she and Mr Brabazon had ridden on their expedition to Richmond Park. They passed the inn where they had encountered Mr Brabazon’s complaisant lady friend and then headed into the dangerous wastes of Hounslow Heath.