of attending an assembly such as this. Now he is completely at his ease, and is not even conscious of his scars.’
‘That is down to you, Zelah. We are all grateful for that.’
‘Nonsense.’ She blushed. ‘He would have come about, in time. But this not why I wanted you to myself. Tell me about this lady who has stolen your heart.’
He stopped, exclaiming explosively, ‘Who the devil—!’
‘Lady Gisburne told us all about it last night.’
‘Then she has been a great deal too busy!’
‘Dom says he has never known you to take so much trouble over a woman.’
‘Hell and damnation, I won’t have my affairs discussed in this way,’ he muttered in a furious undertone.
Zelah was not noticeably abashed, and merely made him walk on.
‘So is it true? I do hope so, Jasper, because I never liked the idea of your pining over me. Tell me all about her.’
That drew a reluctant smile from him.
‘You have grown very forward since you married my brother. But there is nothing to tell you, since she is going to marry Gerald Barnabus.’
‘He is some sort of cousin of yours, is he not? And does she love him?’
‘She will drive him to distraction.’
‘That does not answer my question.’
‘Does it matter?’ he said impatiently. ‘They are to be married. Barnabus has gone off to see his mother to arrange everything. There is nothing to be done.’ Zelah’s questioning gaze goaded him to add, ‘Yes, I had some hopes there, but nothing serious.’
‘Everyone tells me she is a great beauty.’
‘Matchless.’
‘But you have known many beauties, Jasper. What makes this one so different?’
He considered the question.
‘Her spirit,’ he said at last. ‘She saw an injustice and has fought to do something about it, even at the expense of her own good name. She is very courageous...’ he remembered the alarm in Susannah’s hazel eyes when he had reached out for her ‘...at least, in some things.’
‘Then I hope I shall meet this paragon, very soon.’
Jasper looked up.
‘You shall do so now. Gerald is here, and he has Miss Prentess on his arm.’
Introductions were performed and Jasper sensed an air of unhappiness about Susannah. There was nothing in her manner to suggest she was melancholy, she smiled and conversed with her usual ease, save that she would not look at him. Perhaps it was his imagination, perhaps he merely wished to believe she was regretting her choice.
He was too distracted to take note of the conversation and suddenly realised that Zelah had left his side and was walking away with Susannah, declaring with a smile that they were off to talk of fashion and furbelows.
‘We shall not see them again for some time,’ he remarked, turning to Gerald. ‘When did you get back from Hotwells?’
‘Yesterday.’
‘And how is Gloriana? How did she take your news?’
Gerald’s eyes were fixed on the ladies as they walked away and he did not answer immediately.
‘Very much as I expected. She was overset at first, but she saw I was not to be moved, and after a night’s reflection she came round. I am to take Susannah to meet her next week.’
‘That is good news then.’ Jasper hoped his reply was sufficiently cheerful, but his companion did not respond. ‘You do not seem particularly elated by your success.’
‘Hmm? Oh, I am tired, I suppose.’
Jasper gave a crack of laughter.
‘Tired, after a journey of just over a dozen miles? My dear boy, you should go and drink a cup of that foul-tasting water immediately.’
Gerald’s smile was perfunctory.
‘No need for that, it is just...’ He sighed. ‘I don’t know if I can explain it to you. You will say that a fellow cannot be euphoric for ever, but...oh, you know how it is, Jasper. You want something so badly for a long time, then when you eventually achieve it, it is a trifle—’ He broke off and gave a self-conscious laugh. ‘This is all nonsense, of course. Susannah is everything I ever dreamed she would be.’ He looked past Jasper. ‘By Jove, is that your twin over there? I didn’t know Dominic was here, too, that is famous, I must speak to him immediately.’
He dashed off, leaving Jasper to follow more slowly in his wake.
* * *
Susannah was never quite sure how Mrs Coale had managed to carry her off. One minute she was holding Gerald’s arm and trying to steel herself to meet Jasper, who was watching her approach with a dark, unfathomable look in his hard eyes, the next she was promenading around the Pump