The diplomatic answer made Harriet smile. She would never understand why a woman would want to do something as trivial as work, especially when one didn’t need to, and the thought of any of her boys courting with such a woman was utterly untenable, however she was a connoisseur of finding the grey area in any argument and Harriet found many things to like about a young woman who clearly loved her sister despite her flaws. And it wasn’t as though the other girl was an actress or anything too appalling.

“Then you simply must come riding with me,” Harriet offered, quite sincerely, having a sudden brainwave that seeing the young lady’s form upon a horse could only be a useful addition to the dossier she was compiling on her. Harriet herself had ridden horses since her youth – unlike brooms the effort it took to stay mounted did simply marvellous things for the thighs! – and the young woman’s ability to tame a beast could be eye-opening. “There’s a charming stable just outside the Wyre Forest that is a glorious hidden gem, I’d be thrilled to introduce you to the owners. Once the weather improves of course.”