Emily was not having this. She was not going to be summoned like a servant before being allowed to recover from her travels. “We will be shown to our rooms, now, if you please. I shall attend on his lordship when we are recovered from our journey.” She raised an eyebrow and Penfold knew he had met his match.

“Very well, Miss Gibson.” He snapped a finger and two footman stepped forward. “Show Miss Gibson, and Miss Amelia and Miss Serena to their apartments.”

He bowed again to Emily. “If you would like to ring when you are ready, Miss Gibson? I shall send someone to escort you down.”

Emily nodded, but did not deign to reply. Holding her torn skirt firmly in one hand, the other resting on the polished banister, Emily followed the footman. Her sisters, following her lead, straightened their backs, held their heads high and marched up the stairs, side by side, showing their solidarity and support.

The footman led them up two flights and along the corridor halting outside a pair of double doors. He opened these and, still without a word being spoken, he bowed them into their new home. Emily sailed into the room. She waited until she heard the doors click shut behind them before releasing her breath. She stared, eyes wide and her mouth open.

“Look at this, girls; our sitting-room is bigger than the drawing room at Glebe House.”

“Do you think these rugs are Persian, Em? Are we allowed to walk on them?”

Emily laughed. “Of course we are, you goose. They would not be on the floor otherwise.” The private sitting-room, with elegant chaise-longues and delicate gilt chairs was everything it should be. The two doors at the far end opened into a pair of matching bed chambers.

Serena ran forwards eager to explore. “Can Millie and I share this one, Em? I love the rose-pink of the bed drapes. Do you see, it matches the curtains?”