Few gentlemen, himself included, could view as a prime matrimonial candidate a female who preferred immersing herself in mathematical theorems over managing a household and seeing to her husband's concerns. Intrigued he might be, ...

'You would truly wish to attend Cambridge? Why?'

'So I might study at Trinity College-Sir Isaac Newton's school. Others have further developed his theories, but he was one of the inventors of calculus. I've always been fascinated by numbers, but at that excuse for a ladies' academy we weren't even permitted to study basic mathematics. What I know of geometry and higher maths, I've taught myself from books. I've just learned that Mr Babbage, Mr Herschel and Mr Peacock published a translation of Monsieur Lacroix's lectures on calculus, which I intend to obtain from Hatchard's-'

She halted abruptly, a blush colouring her cheeks. 'Please excuse me! I don't usually prose on about my studies! I suppose knowing you are a banker and deal with numbers all the time, so presumably enjoy them, I got carried away...'

With her mastery of mathematics, she would do well, able to calculate interest, risk or potential return like the sharpest of brokers. Never had a broker been so lovely. He was lucky she possessed so sharp and unusual an intellect,...