Grosvenor Square, London

Lady Orpington put down the note from her oldest friend with a sigh of satisfaction. She looked across at the pretty, blonde girl curled up in a deep-seated chair, her nose firmly in the latest Gothic romance.

"Rosamond, my dear, Mrs Sinclair has agreed to join us and act as your companion. Is that not excellent news?'

The girl glanced up from her book, keeping her finger on the line she was reading. 'Mama, I do not see the necessity of employing a companion when you are quite capable of doing the job yourself.'

"I have told you my health has been a trifle uncertain of late and I should hate to ruin your come out by being unable to accompany you. And the thought of organising your ball is too fatiguing. And Mrs Sinclair is not an employee; she will be an honoured guest. She has agreed to help me out of the kindness of her heart because I am her godmother.'

"Have you asked Simon if he minds?'

"Your brother might be the head of the family, but I am his mother and I do not have to ask permission to invite my goddaughter to stay. She was married to Colonel Sinclair, a hero of the Peninsula, for several years and has been a widow for three. Simon will hardly consider her arrival as a threat to his freedom.'

Rosamond giggled, her blonde ringlets bouncing around her heart-shaped face. 'I hope that you are correct, Mama. Remember he threatened to send you to moulder at his estate in Hertfordshire if you attempted any more matchmaking.'

"Matchmaking? If I had any such notion in mind, I should not be looking in the direction of a widow who had spent her entire married life racketing all over Portugal and Spain. But, dear Simon, is the last of the line and he will be thirty on his next name day. It is high time he set up his nursery.'

"And so you tell him almost every time he dares to venture into our side of the house.' She yawned, tossing her book aside. 'Anyway, I am delighted she is coming; it will be lovely to have someone nearer my own age to talk to. I am going to find myself another book at the circulating library. Would you like to come with me?'

"No, thank you, I wish to speak to Cook about the menus for next week.' Lady Orpington called her daughter back. 'Rosamond, would you be so kind as to pull the bell strap for me? I shall ask Bentley to convey a message to Simon. He should have finished dressing by now.'

"It rather depends on exactly what time he returned home last night. Now Parliament is no longer in session he has no reason to rise early.'

"In that case I shall be sure to find him in his apartments.'

Simon, Lord Orpington, a peer of the realm, scowled at his valet. 'Good grief! Another bear-garden jaw from my dear mother. I wonder what it is I have done to offend her delicate sensibilities this time.'

"Lady Rosamond was laughing when she left the drawing-room so I doubt you have anything to worry about, my lord.'

Simon relaxed a little. It never failed to astonish him how the servants always knew what any of them were doing. 'I am relieved to hear that. No, my stock will do. I shall go directly to Lady

Orpington; I am intrigued as to why I have had such an urgent summons.'

His valet stood aside, allowing him to stand, before holding out his navy blue superfine coat. As Simon shrugged his way into the garment he caught a glimpse of himself reflected in the tall window. He drew in his stomach and squared his shoulders. Was he letting himself go? Did he no longer have the musculature of an athlete?

When he had been forced to return from his position with the Duke of Wellington, on the death, four years previously, of both his brother and father, he had been battle hard. His wits were as sharp as his sword. He feared the life he was living was not conducive to a healthy body. He must consider his options. His estates were well run in his absence, but would be even better if he spent more than a week or so in residence.

He was bored. He found civilian life flat and even the cut and thrust of debate in the House of Lords could not replace the excitement of his time as an aid to Wellington. He sighed. There was nothing he could do about matters, he could not rejoin his regiment, he had responsibilities. He was the last of his line as his dear mama kept reminding him.

"I shall be back before I go out, Roberts. I shall need my driving coat.'

He strode from the room ignoring the two footmen who leapt to attention as he passed. He had not spoken to his mother for several days which was remiss of him. His rooms were situated on the right of the grand entrance hall his mother and sister occupied the rest of the house. He paused outside the drawing-room waiting for the butler, Bentley, to hurry forward and open the doors.

He smiled as he saw his mother dozing in front of the fire. He loved her dearly and if only she would refrain from mentioning matrimony every time he appeared at her side, he would visit her more often.

"Mama, you wish to see me?'

Not at all discommoded by being found asleep in front of the fire Lady Orpington smiled warmly at her remaining son. 'I have asked for coffee to be served as soon as you joined me.' She patted the space next to her on the sofa. 'Please, Simon, come and sit here. There is something I wish to ask you.'

His heart sunk and he wished he had not been so eager to call. He knew what was coming; she had another hopeful young debutante to throw at his head. Would she never learn? He had no intention of getting leg-shackled in the foreseeable future and certainly not to any of the whey faced, simpering schoolgirls his mother appeared to think suitable to be the next countess.

"I cannot stay long, I am sorry, Mama, I have an appointment elsewhere.' He strolled to the window and perched himself in the deep embrasure. He crossed his long, booted legs at the ankles, frowning as he detected a speck of dust on the toe.

"You need not look so cross, my dear; I do not break my promises. I have not asked you here to discuss anything you should dislike.'

Simon felt an unpleasant heat colour his cheeks and his stock felt unaccountably tight. 'I apologise, Mama; I should be delighted to have some coffee with you.' He walked over to join her, loving the way she accepted his apology without comment. 'Well, what is it you wish to ask me?' Whatever it was he knew, after his rudeness, he would be inclined to agree.

"I have invited my goddaughter, Mrs Sinclair, to oversee your sister's come out. She was married for several years to Colonel Sinclair but sadly he was killed at Talevera. Her mother, my dearest friend, Lady Bryson, has been worried about her daughter. It is three years since she was made a widow and Lady Bryson believes it is high time Mrs Sinclair rejoined the world. By asking her to help with Rosamond I am assisting both Lady Bryson and myself. I was rather dreading having to organise the ball. And you know what your sister is like, she will wish to attend every party that she is invited to, as well as attending the opera and theatre. My heart sinks at the very thought of all that activity.'

"I met Colonel Sinclair once. He was a good man. I think it is an excellent idea, you have my full approval. When is Mrs Sinclair coming to join us?'

"Not until after the festive season; she wishes to spend Christmas at home, but she will be here in the New Year.'

The coffee tray arrived and the conversation turned to other topics. When Simon left to return to his own domain he had almost forgotten why he had been summoned. The arrival of Colonel Sinclair's widow was of no interest to him. She must be in her thirties, Sinclair had been at least ten years his senior. For once he was in full agreement with his mother. Rosamond could be a handful, having an older friend would be a steadying influence on her.

In the drawing-room his mother was equally satisfied with the encounter. She had not exactly misled her son, merely allowed him to assume that dear Patience was ten years older than she actually was. She smiled. This time she truly believed she had found exactly the right person for her finicky son for if anyone had been misnamed it was the auburn haired, green-eyed, fiery tempered Patience Sinclair.