Heavens, was it only nine o’clock? How the evening was dragging. Since her clash with her husband the previous evening, she had seen very little of him. When she had come down for breakfast he was out riding in the park. He had returned briefly, only to leave on some unspecified business shortly afterwards. She had dined alone, and Saltaire was still out. She did not know where, but felt she could hazard a guess. Even Kitty had been strangely elusive, sending down a message that she had a headache and would therefore be eating in her room. A tap at the door created a welcome diversion. It opened to reveal a rather undersized maid clutching a wafer of paper. “A note for you, My Lady, from Miss Kitty.” Puzzled, Lavinia took it, dismissing the girl with a nod. Why on earth should Kitty wish to send her a note? She opened the missive and pertised its contents, her amusement turning to dismay. “Dearest Lavinia, By the time you get my note I shall be on my way to Vauxhall Gardens, I have hit on the most excellent notion for getting Richard to see me in a new light.
