Patience wasn’t sure who the woman was exactly. She knew of her, yes. Her husband was a jeweller by trade but she couldn’t think of that as a reason to invite them but then there seemed to be an awful lot of merchants and traders here tonight. They must be Mr. Petrov’s friends, she decided. He obviously had a lot to do with local trade.
She crossed the room, determined to be a good hostess – especially to a woman who could give her a discount on jewels. “Mrs Hardwick, isn’t it?” She asked, curtsying. “I’m Lady Patience Hurst, Lord Hurst’s daughter.”