It was his Grace’s first appearance since she had come to Bath, and the fact that he had politely declined an invitation that she had sent to him still rankled in her mind. He bowed over the limp hand that she extended, and looked her up and down.

“I regret to find you thus indisposed, my dear sister,” he said smoothly.

“ ’Tis nought. Only one of my stupid headaches. I am never well here, and this house is stuffy,” she answered fretfully.

“You should take the waters,” he said, scrutinising, through his eyeglass, the chair to which she had waved him. “It has an unstable appearance, my dear; I believe I prefer the couch.” He moved to a smaller sofa and sat down.

“Pray, how long have you been in Bath?” she demanded.

“I arrived last Tuesday week.”

Lady Lavinia started up.