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‘I knew she would And, yes, I did want to check on you and all those things Oh, how I’ve

‘I ain so soon Is…is everything going well in London?’

‘Oh, yes, Papa! I’ve loved beco better acquainted with Lady Parnell The parties and dancing and theatre, the shops and entertainments have been marvellous’

‘The handsoentleuessing you’ve coht, puss?’

Ae told me he intends to ask you for my hand Unless I tell him not to’

Her father raised an eyebrow ‘And ould you do that? Is Trowbridge not exactly the sort of husband you’ve been seeking?’

‘His character and position are everything admirable Except…he doesn’t really love me’ When her father started to protest, she halted him with a wave ‘No, he admitted as much He believes ade But…there is soed ht possible’

She gave her head an agitated shake ‘Oh, Papa, I’ve tried and tried to talk er deny how I feel I hate to break the promise I made to Maainst all ement, I…I’ve fallen in love with Greville Anders’

There, she’d said it Now she held her breath, watching her father anxiously

‘I see,’ he said non-committally

At least he hadn’t leapt to his feet in anger, or called Sands to have her expelled froentle father would not chastise, but instead seek to understand before reacting to her confession

‘I suspected there was soth ‘Does he return your feelings?’

Her laughter had an hysterical edge ‘I’m such a fool, Papa, I don’t even know! I think he returns s and kept silent to let me have my Season, uni what he wishes, I can’t entleman Lady Parnell expects to offer for me I must marry the man I love…or no one’

‘Anders is a gentleer But will being a entleirl, you’ve thought of nothing but becorand society hostess Are you sure you can abandon that vision?’

‘I can’t bla it I’ve enjoyed the Season, but more and more lately, aside from the dinners at which political matters are debated, the endless rounds of parties and pleasures and entertain, just see diet of sweetmeats’

She laughed ruefully ‘After all that ti I couldn’t wait to leave the country and live in London, I found I rass, the soft low of cattle in the fields, the scent of meadow-fresh air untainted by smoke and street refuse Ifields and flocks, their days spent in hard, useful, necessary labour Missed tending to theratifyinghad ever looked more beautiful to uess I’m a countrywoman at heart after all’

‘You are sure this is what you want?’ he said again ‘If you abandon your Season now, you will reat society match’

‘Lady Parnell already warned ht I would choose woods and fields and cottages over the excitement of the city, but it see up anxiously into his eyes ‘I’m sorry I’ve turned out to be such a disappointment You…you won’t cast me off, will you?’

He leaned forwards to envelop her in a hug ‘How could you even ask such a thing? Surely you know your happiness is always, ever what counts ine I would be disappointed for you to eschew London in favour of the country, when I’randchildren if I don’t have to visit the city to see them?’

Sobering, he continued, ‘Greville Anders is a good man of sound principles He entlehest families in the land If you want him and he asks for your hand, I’ll not deny him permission’

An enor her, she squeezed her father’s hand ‘Thank you, Papa’

‘So, hoe proceed now? Do you wish me to speak with Mr Anders when he returns?’