Page 82 of The Secret Sister

‘I haven’t been asked, but even if I had, I would refuse him.’

‘Contrary woman,’ her brother vouchsafed.

‘I’ll make you a deal,’ she said, eyeing her brother. ‘I’ll commit to marriage when you do.’

‘You will be decrepit by then. I don’t plan to marry until I’m at least forty, possibly not even then.’

Applause sounded through the gardens as the orchestra finished their set, and they both paused to offer a tribute.

‘You are a horrid brother, Hart.’

‘I know, but you love me.’

She hit him on the arm, none too gently.

Eliza and Hannah came over to join them, with the Ellice brothers in tow, and Harriet gave them her warmest smile.

‘I trust you are having a splendid time?’

Eliza shot a glance at Hart that she failed to understand, but the broadest of smiles reassured her that all was well. Charles Grey followed not far behind, and then, like the proverbial bad penny, Granville arrived with Hart’s rackety Baronet in tow. She felt that she really should make an attempt to remember his name. Sir something or other?

Hart and the rackety Baronet immediately plunged themselves into the fray, leaving Harriet to smile at Lord Granville, who looked quite ridiculously pleased with himself.

‘Lady Harriet,’ he murmured, bowing over her hand. ‘I trust you are having an enjoyable evening?’

‘Indeed, I trust I shall continue to do so?’

He arched an eyebrow in the manner of a hero from a romantic novel, and it made her smile.

Further conversation ceased as Lord Grey came to monopolise Granville, leaving Harriet with Hannah, Eliza and the Ellice brothers. They were discussing whether more dancing or more eating was the best option when Lord Somersby joined them.

Harriet eyed him askance, as he was not, in her opinion, a suitable gentleman for Eliza at all. He was on the hunt for an heiress, and besides, he looked a trifle foxed as his pale grey eyes looked hazy. They made polite conversation with him and when the musicians began tuning, he turned to Eliza with a deep bow. ‘Would you take the next dance with me,’ he said to her. ‘I find I am quite desperate to dance with the mysterious Miss Eliza Courtney this evening.’

Harriet watched as Eliza froze, eyes wary and unsure, and was grateful when Ellice immediately stepped in.

‘I’m terribly sorry, but I’m afraid Miss Courtney was kind enough to promise this dance to me,’ he said with all the haughty grandeur of a general, never mind a Lieutenant Colonel. He brooked no argument, and Somersby slid back into the crowd, defeated.

Harriet had to say she approved of Ellice’s tactics, and his protective stance. So it seemed did the Earl Grey, who was scowling furiously after the young idiot.

‘Pay him no heed, Eliza,’ she said, taking her friend’s hand. ‘He’s a fool with pockets to let, and too much wine.’

‘Thank you. Though I have to confess, this ‘mysterious Miss Courtney’ business is becoming excessively wearing.’ She looked at the people gathered around her.

‘I don’t suppose anyone has any idea why they call me this?’ She looked about her and Harriet saw a range of expressions, largely ones of baffled sympathy. Granville and Lord Grey both looked diplomatically blank.

With a sigh and a shake of her head, Eliza accepted Robert’s hand and together, they headed towards the dancing.

Chapter 37

ELIZA

London

Robert handed his coat to the footman and headed for the brandy. He poured himself a generous measure, took a large mouthful, and closed his eyes as it burned its way down his throat, then poured another.

‘What’s wrong with you?’ his brother asked as he took the decanter from Robert’s hand and poured his own drink. Robert shook his head. What was wrong? Where on earth did he begin?

‘How did you get along with Lady Hannah?’