Helena wasn’t sure whether she ought to laugh or send him to his room without supper. He was as utterly transparent as a sticky child caught out sneaking sugar from the kitchen and clearly had no intention of looking after his daughter for as long as she and John would do it for him. Perhaps it would be for the best though? Althea might be happier with a little more attention and they were hardly lacking in funds.

And it might mean Charles took the freedom to find himself another wife and a new mother for Althea.

“I can hardly say no, can I?” She said wryly, stroking a hand through her granddaughter’s soft curls, so very like Charles had been when he was a child. It was hardly an imposition even if it set an unfortunate precedent for the future.

“What kind of engagement is it? I heard about a ball but obviously your father and I will not be in attendance.”