It was rare that a man other than her husband was so bold with Ambrosia Selwyn. Her brothers-in-law and she had long entered into a pact of benign indifference and other than the spouses of her friends very few men approached her: she had, in all honesty, been hoping to keep it that way until Hortense required a husband.

Mr Prewett was either very brave , very foolish or very arrogant. Or, most probably, a combination of all three that he was encouraged by ladies because he was also, yes she would admit, rather handsome.

“You’re too kind,” she said drily, offering her hand. “Shall we? I should hate for you not to get your money’s worth.”

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