“What’s he like, ma’am?” Leah asked.
“Who?”
“Mister Shapland,” Leah said. “You must be very proud to be married to one of London’s most successful merchants.”
Kate smiled. “He needs me as much as I need him.”
“I am sure he does,” Leah said. “I believe a man without a wife is only half a man.”
They sat in Kate’s boudoir on the upper floor of Shapland’s Mayfair mansion as Leah helped Kate with her hair.
Kate laughed. “Charles was lost until I arrived,” she said. “He wasted his time with all sorts of ladybirds.”
“Ladybirds!” Leah repeated. “He was lucky to find you!”
“He was,” Kate admitted. “But I found him, rather.” She examined her hair in the mirror, turning her head to view it from different angles. “That’s it, Leah. We have a ball tonight, and you can watch Mr Shapland dancing w
