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is no way one such as you could pass for a real lady.’
    Oh the sins of vanity and pride! I had intended to make several mistakes at dinner to quash the plan. Nothing too obvious but social faux pas enough to ensure Lady Stapleford would insist the plan went no further, but Sir Richard had my blood up. That he, at best a countryman who pretended to be a gentleman, might suggest that I, with my connections, was unworthy, was intolerable.
    I sincerely regret to say I made it through the entire dinner without once making a mistake. I did not rise to Sir Richard’s ribbing. I pretended either to not hear or not understand unsavoury comments when they were made. I acted all in all as if this family of bankers and murderers was beneath my notice. I would have made my mother proud.
    At the end of the meal, Lady Stapleford dismissed me. I walked slowly across the hall towards the stairs and Suzette, who would need to unpin and undress my costume, wondering what I had done. Rory stood waiting for me in the hall. I could not read his expression.
    ‘You heard,’ I said to him, ‘you heard Richenda admit it was all her plan.’
    ‘I did,’ said Rory evenly. ‘I also saw you. Your performance was flawless.’
    ‘I am around the family every day. Some of it must have rubbed off.’
    ‘I’ll go further,’ said Rory, ‘your behaviour was the most ladylike in the room.’
    I smiled and dropped a little curtsey. ‘Why thank you, kind sir.’
    No answering smile met mine. ‘I always knew you were hiding something, Euphemia. I thought you’d tell me in your own time, but seeing you tonight I have to ask myself if I know you at all. What is it you haven’t told me? If we are to be wed I need to know the truth.’
    I looked his straight in the eye. ‘I cannot tell you the whole of it, but I am related – distantly related – to people who might be deemed aristocratic by some.’
    ‘How aristocratic?’
    ‘I told you my father was a vicar. That is true. My mother,’ I hesitated, ‘ my mother is connected to an important family, but there was an argument a long time ago, and the connection was broken.’
    ‘So you are a lady?’
    ‘I am a vicar’s daughter. Nothing more.’
    ‘Bertram, does he know this?’
    I shook my head. ‘The only people who know are my mother, my little brother and you.’
    ‘Well, that’s something,’ said Rory. ‘But when I saw you sitting with them you looked more at home than I have ever seen you among the servants.’
    I put my hand on his chest. ‘I can assure you that every moment I was sitting there I was wishing I was with you all at the kitchen table.’
    Rory bowed his head and covered my hand with his. ‘I do believe you, Euphemia, but we all are what we are. Blood will out. If you love me give up this scheme. It can only lead to trouble.’
    ‘But if I do them this favour they will be in my debt. They will have to agree to let us marry.’
    ‘You’ve said it yourself many a time the Staplefords will do what they want. We are nothing to them.’
    ‘But …’
    ‘Give it up, Euphemia. I beg you. If you love me give it up.’

Chapter Ten
The Court
    I could find no way to do what Rory wanted. I even made so bold as to suggest to Richenda that she use her knowledge of her royal friend to make her agree to come.
    ‘That only shows how much you have to learn,’ said Miss Richenda scornfully. ‘My friend could never explain to her parents that she had a lover, but she could choose without repercussion to instruct her staff not to contradict any reports of her presence for the sake of not embarrassing an old friend.’
    ‘It won’t work,’ I said.
    ‘Stepmama will be giving you lessons every day until we depart for The Court. I have sent to London for clothes for you. Suzette will act as your maid. I shall take Merry with us as mine. Everything will go well.’
    ‘But the servants …’
    ‘Want to keep their positions. Accept it, Euphemia. For a short period in your dull,