Sylvester IV

Lady Ingham still has hopes of Phoebe making a match with Sylvester, as he seems to get on well with her. She is looking prettier and is more entertaining on this visit to London. However, she becomes friendly with Ianthe Rayne. She finds that she has accidentally written in her novel a scenario that is rather close to the real life of Sylvester and his little nephew. She is wary of Ianthe whom she can see is selfish and silly. But she then learns that Sylvester is Edmund's guardian. According to Ianthe, he has not much cared for the child. Phoebe finds that Ianthe has talked a lot about her grievances with Sylvester, and how he won't let her take her son away when she marries Fotherby. Her own novel has a plot where Ugolino keeps control of his nephew, and her hero and heroine rescue the child and take him abroad. She then finds that the book when it comes out, sells very well. Everyone is sure that some socialite wrote it. Ianthe guesses that it is her, and talks about it to many people. Phoebe finds that some of the Ton snub her as she has written about people in society and they feel she's made them a laughing stock. Sylvester is furious with her when he finds out, because he is a proud man and cannot bear to be talked about. Then, they have an argument on the dance floor. He walks off in a temper and Phoebe is left standing, and she is shunned even more. Lady Ingham decides that the only thing to do is to go away and wait for the gossip to die down. She suggests going to Paris, and offers to take Phoebe and Tom, who is now mobile again. Tom finds himself being used as general factotum as the old lady is something of a hypochondriac, and he has difficulty getting her organised. Phoebe is very depressed, as she had been growing fond of Sylvester, but she agrees to go.