‘He did say he would come up for Lady Cavendish’s ball,’ Sarah said. ‘I have promised to save two dances for him.’
‘There you are, then,’ Tilda said and smiled at her affectionately. ‘When he sees you looking ravishing and dancing with other gentlemen, he will realise that he cares, and then I am sure he will ask you to marry him. Besides, you will meet a lot of gentlemen in the next few weeks and you may meet someone who sweeps you off your feet and makes you fall madly in love with him.’
‘Yes, perhaps,’ Sarah said, though she did not think it likely. ‘Now, tell me, Tilda, what have you been reading? I have a book of poetry in my trunk that I believe you will like…’
‘Have you read Northanger Abbey?’ Tilda asked. ‘I have been rereading it again, and I like it very well. Some people do not like it as well as her earlier books, of course. I think it is sad that Miss Austen has only been truly acknowledged since her death. Why do you imagine she was forced to publish under an assumed name while she lived?’
‘I have no idea, for her secret was known to many besides her family and friends,’ Sarah said. ‘I have read all her books, but I think I might like to read Northanger Abbey again when you have finished it, Tilda.’
‘Then of course you shall,’ her friend promised, smiling at her. ‘I am so glad that you have come to visit with us, Sarah. We shall have plenty of time to talk…’
‘Oh, yes,’ Sarah agreed. ‘I am sure that we shall…’
They had been in town four days, most of which had been spent shopping or visiting the seamstress to have fittings for all the new clothes her mama seemed to think she needed before she was fit to be seen in town. This morning, Sarah had escaped before her mama was up. Accompanying Tilda to the library to change Lady Tate’s books, she lingered to look into the window of a fashionable milliner’s just as a gentleman came out carrying a bandbox.
‘Miss Redmond,’ he said, tipping his hat. ‘And can it be Miss Hunter?’
Sarah glanced at his face and smiled. ‘Captain Hernshaw, how nice to see you,’ she said. ‘Are you on a visit home or have you left your post in Rome?’
‘I have been called back,’ Captain Hernshaw said. ‘I believe I am to be offered a safe seat for the Whigs at a by-election. It is in my uncle’s gift apparently, and the voting will be a mere formality. He would like me home to oversee the family affairs from time to time, and I may further my political career, which is of course my wish.’
‘I see,’ Sarah replied. ‘I fear I have little knowledge of such things, sir, though I am sure it is an interesting career for a gentleman and I wish you well of it. I am truly glad to see you again. We are giving a small dance at the end of this month. I hope you will come?’
‘Yes, of course,’ he said. ‘I shall look forward to it. I dare say we shall meet quite often, Miss Hunter—though I go down to the country for a few days next week. I shall return the week after and shall hope to see you then.’
‘Yes, that will be pleasant,’ Sarah said. ‘Good day, sir. We must not delay you.’
‘No, indeed. As you see, I have been shopping.’ He indicated the bandbox he was carrying. ‘A small gift for my sister. Rosemary is just seventeen and this will be her come-out into society.’
‘And you have bought her a new bonnet,’ Sarah said. ‘You are a kind brother, Captain Hernshaw.’
‘It is a surprise. I must hope that she will like it,’ he said and tipped his hat to her before walking away.
‘What a pleasant gentleman he is,’ Tilda remarked as they moved on, crossing the road towards the lending library, where for a small subscription they were able to choose from an interesting selection of books. ‘I can never forget how swiftly he dispatched that awful man who tried to kill you and then attacked Arabella. I am sure we have Captain Hernshaw to thank for her not being badly hurt or even killed.’ She gave a shudder as a shiver of ice ran down her spine.
‘Yes, he showed great skill and presence of mind,’ Sarah agreed. ‘I have always thought him very pleasant.’ She had not told Tilda that she thought that Captain Hernshaw had been on the verge of proposing to her in Rome, for she was a modest girl and did not like to appear to brag of such things.
‘Well, I dare say there are quite a few pleasant gentlemen in town,’ Tilda said and smiled for she had noticed that someone was staring at them from a passing carriage. She touched Sarah’s arm after it had gone past them. ‘That was the Duke of Pentyre, my dear. I think he was looking at you just now. He seemed quite taken with what he saw.’
‘No, was he?’ Sarah laughed softly. ‘I am sure you are mistaken, Tilda dear. I have never met the duke and I am sure there are lots of pretty girls in London just now. I do not imagine that he finds me particularly special.’
‘Oh, I do not know,’ Tilda said. She thought that her companion was very much out of the ordinary. She had more of an air about her than most of the naïve young ladies brought to town by their hopeful mamas—and was perhaps just the type of woman to catch the eye of some of the more seasoned campaigners. Gentlemen who had been on the town for several years, but had escaped the matrimonial net, were perhaps now looking for a suitable wife with whom to set up their nursery. She did not know much of the duke—his was an Irish title—but she understood that he also had large estates in England, and that he was thought to be very wealthy. ‘I believe that a lot of gentlemen will find you rather special, my dear.’
‘That is because you are prejudiced in my favour, dearest Tilda,’ Sarah said and squeezed her arm. ‘Ah, here we are. I wonder if there are any new books today. I think I should like to read something of Lord Byron’s if they have it…’
Sarah glanced at herself in the full-length cheval mirror in her bedroom, turning this way and that to admire her gown. It was a simple muslin, but draped with spangled gauze so that it sparkled in the candlelight. Her hair had been swept up on top of her head, though spirals of fair hair curled down her neck and clustered about her face. It had been dressed with white silk flowers and pearls and she had a simple strand of pearls linked with gold around her wrist. Her long gloves were white with a touch of pink embroidery at the edges.
‘You look very well, my dear,’ Mrs Hunter said, entering behind her. ‘Yes, I like that ensemble. I was not sure when Madame Deloir suggested it. I thought it might look rather too sophisticated, but she was right. It does suit you, makes you look a little out of the ordinary.’
‘Thank you, Mama,’ Sarah said. ‘Did you come to fetch me? I am ready now.’ She picked up a spray of pink and white roses, which had been ordered for her by her brother, who had come up to town that very day. ‘It was thoughtful of Charles to send these for me.’
‘I dare say you will receive several floral tributes after this evening,’ her mother said with a look of satisfaction. ‘Hester was telling me that we have all been invited to a ball to be given by the Duke of Pentyre and hosted by Lady Jersey next week. She had not expected to be asked, but news of your arrival must have begun to circulate, dearest.’
It was their first important evening engagement. Until now they had dined with a few of Lady Tate’s friends and attended one small card party and a musical affair. This was Sarah’s first experience of an English ball in a private house, and she was both excited and nervous.
‘Everyone has been kind, Mama,’ Sarah said now. ‘It was good of Lady Moore to invite us this evening, was it not?’
‘Lady Moore and I knew one another years ago,’ Mrs Hunter replied. ‘However, the invitation from the Duke of Pentyre was unexpected at this early stage, Sarah. We must feel flattered for I would imagine that only the very best of society will be there.’
‘Oh…’ Sarah turned aside so that her mother should not see that her cheeks were warm. ‘Well,