Page 40 of The Secret Sister

HARYO

Chiswick

Harriet sat in the parlour at Chiswick with her Aunt Bess and Lady Liz. Everyone had settled in, and Lady Hannah and Eliza had arrived, much to Harriet’s delight. It was time for her to begin her scheme to persuade the Grey family to have Eliza presented in earnest.

She looked at the ladies before her and as they were some of the most formidable, influential ladies in the Ton, she felt confident of success. She even allowed Lady Liz to pour the tea without resorting to a withering look at her presumption.

Taking a breath, she began. ‘Isn’t it lovely to see Miss Eliza and Lady Hannah here? I was so delighted to bump into them. Do you remember how fond Mama was of them, particularly Miss Eliza?’ she began.

Both Lady Liz and Aunt Bess looked a little misty eyed at the recollection and agreed unanimously that she was terribly fond of her and recalled the little gifts that she gave to her.

Harriet took this as a good sign and continued, keen to make the most of the sentimental moment. She let her shoulders droop sadly. ‘She loved her dearly and I think she would be very sad to see her treated with less affection than her sisters.’

‘What on earth do you mean?’ Lady Liz said.

‘Well, there she is, stuck in Northumberland with her widowed mother, acting as an unpaid nanny for all her siblings’ offspring.’

This garnered a knowing nod from her Aunt Bess. ‘When Bessborough and I visited, he did comment that she looked like the governess. It was quite sad, really.’

Lady Liz gasped. ‘How awful for the poor child.’

Haryo shook her head with a sigh. ‘It’s terribly unfair. And the worst of it is, she is eighteen years old, here in London, but they have not arranged for her to be presented. She has had no come out even though her sisters both did when they were younger than her. She is merely here to support Lady Hannah as she re-enters society, as she is now out of mourning. It means that Miss Eliza cannot attend all the events because she is not out. I fear they will make her stay at home and look after the children.’

‘It does seem a little unfair,’ her aunt said, casting an unsure look at Lady Liz.

Lady Liz nodded. ‘It does indeed. Poor, poor child. We shall have to make sure that she has as many invitations as possible. Who knows, she is very pretty and she may well find a good husband without all the fanfare of the season. Then she could escape the tyranny of her family.’

Harriet liked her use of tyranny. Lady Liz could usually be relied upon to exaggerate a situation.

‘Agreed,’ said Aunt Bess with what sounded suspiciously like relief. ‘We should take her under our wings, so to speak, and make sure she has as many invitations as are appropriate.’

Harriet could see both felt that they had solved the conundrum in a satisfactory way. Unfortunately, this was not what Harriet had in mind at all.

She steeled herself for another attempt and clasped her hands together, affecting a delighted air, and gave them a look of extreme affection. ‘You are both, as ever, most kind and generous.’

Both ladies fluffed up, pleased with themselves and their magnanimity.

‘But,’ she said, with a conspiratorial smile, ‘I was hoping for a little more than that.’

Both ladies looked puzzled and exchanged a glance.

Harriet hesitated. ‘But maybe I am asking too much. It might not be possible for you to achieve what I had in mind.’

Aunt Bess bristled immediately. ‘Nonsense, child. What is it you want?’

Lady Liz simpered. ‘I think you will find we can achieve most anything if we put our minds to it.’

Harriet laughed and clapped her hands together. ‘Too true, too true. I can see I have underestimated you terribly.’

‘What is it you want?’

‘Well,’ Harriet said in a conspiratorial fashion, looking over her shoulder before continuing. ‘Do you think it would be utterly beyond your combined talents and abilities to persuade Lord Grey that he should arrange for Eliza to be presented at court? There is still time before the season begins in earnest. Queen Charlotte hasn’t had her ball yet, so all the young ladies have yet to be presented.’

Aunt Bess stared at her as though she’d sprouted another head.

‘Have I taken you correctly? You want us… to persuade the Earl Grey and the dowager… to put Eliza Courtney forward to be… presented to the Queen?’ Aunt Bess fanned herself with a handkerchief, so shocked was she, so Haryo turned to Lady Liz.

‘Lady Elizabeth, you know simply everyone, and are so well loved in society. I know you could bring considerable pressure to bear, particularly if you recruited some of your more… influential friends. I’m sure it would not be a case of approaching the dowager countess, more… influencing her.’