Adam bounded into the parlour of the Buckingham's Lincoln's Inn town house with vigour. There was a definite relief in being able to confide in Henry his feelings for Georgina.

He was glad that Henry understood he was serious. He had never met anyone with so much fire in them. The way she cared for her six siblings was quite amazing. That is how he had connected with her. Her youngest brother Jacob was only two and he had a long running cough that worried Elizabeth and she had sent them both to Adam.

Adam had kept up checks on the family by popping into their home on the way to see Elizabeth. He found himself enthralled with Georgina and wanting to help her more.

The feelings between them had deepened in the last few months when Adam admitted to Georgina that he was having feelings for her. He was delighted when she reciprocated them. He was careful to ensure that it was him and him only that she was taken with. If this all fell place Georgina would be the next Lady Buckingham. Which made him giggle at the prospect. He need never have idle boorish chit chat with a young lady of breeding again.

The issue was how to tell his mother. For that he would have to enlist the help of his sister. His mother was no doubt in the dining room arranging the seating for tonight's dinner like a seasoned general. His father he presumed was in the library working on his legal papers. He eyed his sister across the parlour. Elizabeth was engrossed in today's Times. 

The Buckinghams all had a public and private role. Edward their father was a lawyer and their mother had several charities that she worked for. They had all seen the idle rich fritter away their money at the gaming table, the club or the whorehouse. Each of the children had been supported into finding a purpose in life that supported the wider public. Adam had taken to science and medicine as a child and Elizabeth took to politics.

Adam was ready to take Elizabeth into his confidence however Elizabeth looked different tonight. She looked glowing in some manner. Adam was confused. She had a dark green gown on that she frequently wore for dinner. Her hair was set by Meg her maid in the manner it had been for at least six months. Somehow, someway she was different tonight.

Green the butler stood at the door. He was an imposing figure and ruled the staff with kindness and authority. He had been his father's valet when he was younger. His dark hair set back. His uniform gleaming.

"Lady Apsley and Lord Brockett are alighting their carriage. Shall I inform your father that the guests have arrived?"  Green asked. That was family shorthand for someone has to go and get Edward Buckingham out of his library and who wants the short straw tonight.

A look passed between all three of them in the room. Both Green and Adam settled on Elizabeth. Who everyone knew was her father's favourite.

"I shall go a prise father from his business dealings." In truth Elizabeth loved going into library. It was her safe haven away from the world where she could escape and travel to places she could only visit in her imagination. She equally loved her father any time alone with him was precious.

She knocked lightly on the door and heard her father voice talking to another man. She knocked again.

"Good Lord man! I am talking to someone." Edward Buckingham shouted to then intruder.

Elizabeth entered the room to find her father sat opposite Henry Carlyle. "Papa." She scolded. "Please don't talk to Green in that manner. If he leaves we will be bereft. Pre dinner drinks are available in the parlour." She curtsied to Henry. "Mr Carlyle." Elizabeth left the room flushed at seeing Mr Carlyle and his lovely piercing blue eyes. She allowed herself to recall his body pressed up next to hers the previous evening and it made her have some very strange sensations. She thought about his sleeves rolled up today. Taking the children on to his lap and chatting with them..he was a different type of man to the ones she had to fraternise with in London society.

"Mr Carlyle I thank you for making your intentions clear towards my daughter." Edward Buckingham arose from chair signalling the end of the conversation. His wife had given Edward all of the information he required on her return from last night's ball. He was aware of Mr Carlyle and his inheritance. It was he who conducted all of the legal proceedings on behalf of the then Lady Brockett now Lady Apsley since Henry took the title. The title of Lady Brockett would be bestowed on Henry's wife.

"Thank you sir. I wanted to convey my gratitude in the manner you undertook the proceedings earlier this year. You are rightly renowned for your discretion. I wanted to declare myself to you so that any issues you may have at me courting your daughter could be aired in private."

Edward Buckingham chuckled. "I am a pushover next to my daughter I must warn you Lord Brockett. She is not the same as other women. She is a late bloomer too. Which means if you don't secure her this season she will be gone by the next."

Henry hesitated. "Sir, I am the son of a missionary and a doctor. I am afraid that I do not have the necessary wooing skills of the London set. Could you suggest any ways that I may engage your daughter?"

Edward Buckingham's eyes twinkled. "That I believe will put you ahead of the set. She is fiercely intellectual. She wore out governesses like shoes. Inform her of your trip from Africa tonight. She will be enthralled."

Green served drinks in the Drawing Room. Elizabeth took a small sherry from the tray and sat next to Lady Apsley. She made small talk aware all of the whole  time of Henry's eyes on her. Somehow that gave her a strange flutter around her body that she had not experienced before.

"I believe Henry enjoyed his afternoon in the clinic." Lady Apsley smiled.

"He was most interested in the children. He noted that many of the issues he faces with children in Africa are repeated here in the East End. I have suggested that he speak at the Royal Society about it." Elizabeth became animated discussing her favourite topics.

"I am sure with your connections you could influence that." Lady Apsley cleared her throat. "Henry, I believe that Miss Buckingham has had the most splendid idea."

At the sound of her name Henry turned and smiled. "Has she indeed. I would be delighted to hear it over dinner, perhaps I could escort you there Miss Buckingham." He proffered his arm and nodded for Elizabeth to take it.

Elizabeth observed his smile. He didn't smile often and when he did his whole face changed from serious to warm. As though a ray of sunshine after a storm. She was enraptured. It was thoroughly disturbing.

"I will describe for you and journey that started at the cape.  On a steam ship that took a month to get here." Henry sat Elizabeth next to him at the dinner table. 

"Is shall listen enraptured. Then you and I after dinner will write to Lord Gray the head of The Royal Society of Medicine for you talk at their next gathering." Elizabeth's eyes sparkled like emeralds as they began their evenings discourse.

Lady Appleyard gave Lady Buckingham a knowing smile across the dinner table. This would be easier than first discussed.