Read sample A Scandalous Abduction

Chapter One

Leo Somiton had led the fruitless search for the missing branch of the family last year – Oliver and his son Simon, who had perpetrated the attempts on the lives of the present earl by setting fire to the house. He thanked the good Lord that everyone had escaped, that the Hall had been repairable, and the somewhat depleted family group were now happily living in the restored central section of the massive building.

‘Leo, you’re wool-gathering, Mama has asked us both to attend her in the peacock room,’ his sister Frances, at nineteen years of age his junior by four years, said as she poked him none too gently in the midriff.

‘I beg your pardon; I was indeed wondering where the villains that tried to murder us in our beds are hiding themselves. Adam made very sure their funds were frozen so I cannot imagine what they are living on or why those he has employed have yet to find them and bring them to justice.’

‘One would have thought that Adam, as the now undisputed Earl of Chalfont, using his vast resources and friends in high places, would have achieved this objective.’

‘Mama is doing an excellent job with all our three cousins. Eloise and Millie behave now without the pernicious influence of their mother. Do you think that Mr Somiton will have married their mother? She too has not returned to her own residence so must be, one presumes, still in the thrall of that evil man.’

This house in Grosvenor Square was to be his home for the next few months. Grace, Frances and Eloise were to have their come out this Season, but Millie and Jessica would have to wait their turn as at seventeen they were considered too young. He thought that the might offer for Jessica himself next year but until Adam gave him leave to do so he intended to keep a close eye on her whilst she was in Town. She was far too pretty and vivacious not to be noticed by any gentleman looking for a wealthy heiress. Even if she wasn’t attending the formal events both she and Millie would be allowed to come to family and informal occasions.

Mama was acting as chaperone but Cousin Charlotte, the Dowager Countess and Grace’s mama, was the girls’ sponsor and was to be hostess for Adam for the Season.

Leo’s role was to escort the ladies to all the routs, soirées and balls they would be attending over the next three months. Adam, naturally, would be there as the girls were his wards and Richard was to join them with his new bride Demelza in the next day or two. Surely with the formidable twins and himself present they should be able to keep unwanted rakes and fortune hunters from preying on their charges.

His mother was busy perusing a newspaper and looked up as they walked in. ‘There you are at last, my dears, I have something most exciting to suggest as our first excursion with the girls.’

‘We’re hardly settled in, Mama,’ his sister said with a smile, ‘as we only arrived last night. Do we really have to go out today?’

‘Don’t be so feeble-hearted, my dear, we are here to see the sights and enjoy ourselves. Pray don’t forget that Jessica and Millie do not have a plethora of balls to distract them, as you others do.’

‘I’ll be happy to escort Jessica and Millie wherever you have in mind, Mama,’ he said as he flicked aside his coat-tails and sat down beside her on the chaise longue.

‘I’ve just seen that there’s to be an exhibition of antique vases at the British Museum. It says here that one must apply to the Assembly Rooms on any Monday, Wednesday or Friday between ten and two. One must then have one’s name and place of abode written in a book. I intend to send a footman to inscribe our names so that we may visit to view these wonders at two o’clock this afternoon.’

Leo raised an eyebrow and Frances hid her smile behind her hand. ‘I hate to disillusion you, Mama, but neither of the girls would thank us for taking them to the museum. I’m quite certain that a walk along Bond Street and a visit to Gunter’s in Berkeley Square for an ice would be more popular.’

His mother was somewhat startled by his reaction but rallied wonderfully. ‘Of course, how silly of me to think either of them would wish to improve their knowledge of antiquities. I shall go on my own. You have my permission to take your cousins for this promenade if you so wish, my boy.’

‘I’d be happy to if I can persuade Frances to accompany me. I’d rather have my teeth pulled than enter any of those frivolous emporiums full of frills and furbelows that so enthral the members of the fairer sex.’

‘I’d be delighted to come with you. I’ve no need of any further gowns but have no objection to purchasing a ribbon or two if I see something suitable. Shall I find the girls and ask them?’

‘You do that, sister, whilst I locate Adam and get his permission for the excursion. Do we need to ask Cousin Charlotte as well?’

His mother waved her hand dismissively. ‘Absolutely no need, Leo, those two are under my control as she’s quite busy enough managing the social life of the other three.’

He was here to make himself useful and taking the youngest members of the party under his wing and keeping them out of trouble was one way he could do this. As it also meant he could spend time with Jessica he was more than happy to be seen to be accommodating.

Adam, despite the fact that it was only half an hour past eight o’clock, was already busy at his desk surrounded by documents and ledgers. As Leo entered one of the two secretaries, Brotherton, rushed past. The other one, a recently appointed young gentleman, he’d not yet been introduced to.

‘I won’t interrupt you for more than a moment, Adam. I just want to make sure that it’s in order for me to take Jessica and Millie out this morning for a promenade.’

‘That’s harmless enough. I must have had bats in the belfry to agree to bring all five young ladies here at the same time. It’s a pity that Eleanor is so recently a mother as her steadying influence is sorely needed.’ He pointed to a pile of invitation cards on the top of his desk. ‘Even with my two secretaries spending half the day opening and answering these, I can’t keep track of their overcrowded itinerary.’

‘I’m relying on Cousin Charlotte to inform me in good time as to exactly what I’m expected to be doing each day. I know the first big event of the Season is our ball being held here in three weeks’ time. Until then, I seem to recall, there are just soirées, musical evenings and informal supper parties which the entire family can attend.’

‘Reynolds,’ Adam gestured to the nervous young man sitting on the far side of the study at a small desk of his own.

‘Yes, my lord, what would you like me to do next?’

‘Take these invitation cards away. Arrange them in chronological order and then compare them with the list that Brotherton has already collated. When that’s done, take the two lists to the countess so that she might decide which invitations are to be accepted.’

The young man scuttled away and Adam shook his head in disgust. ‘I’m not impressed with my new employee – God knows what made me take him on – however, I’ll allow him to remain for his three months’ probation. I should have kept my experienced staff and not allowed them to work with Richard in the London office at the Grand Surrey docks.’ He sighed theatrically and ran his fingers through his hair in exactly the same manner that his identical twin brother did.

Leo was still smiling as he headed for the drawing room where he could hear the lively chatter that indicated the young ladies were together. He sincerely hoped that only Jessica and Millie wished to go abroad as the thought of being the sole male escort to five eligible and volatile girls didn’t appeal. He was a military man at heart and wished he could return to his former life as a captain in the cavalry.

Jessica Somiton preferred to sit quietly and listen to the others laughing and giggling and talking about matters that she had no interest in. Millie, also a Somiton but only a distant cousin, bitterly resented the fact that she wasn’t to have her come out this Season but for Jessica the reverse was true.

If she had her way then she’d never have to undergo the torture of endless evenings in overheated chambers being obliged to converse with complete strangers with which one had absolutely nothing in common. Even worse, one would then have no option but to dance with a series of gentlemen who ogled her and thought that every word they spoke was statesmanlike and expected to be treated like a god by someone as insignificant as herself.

‘Jessica, pay attention, you are forever daydreaming,’ Grace – who should by rights be called Lady Grace but insisted on informality – said sharply.

‘I beg your pardon, was there something you wanted me to fetch for you?’

‘I have servants to fetch things for me. You are my cousin and I wish you’d stop behaving as if somehow you didn’t deserve to be here.’

‘After what my horrible father and brother tried to do I’m surprised I wasn’t sent away. Every day I tremble at what might have happened...’

There was a general outcry at her words and a rush of genuine support. All the girls insisted that none of it had been her fault and she was as likely to have been incinerated as any of them.

‘But they weren’t your immediate family. I feel tainted by association.’ She forced her mouth to curve in a facsimile of a smile. ‘Now, dearest Grace, what is it you wish to say to me?’

The answer to her question was never given as at that moment Frances hurried in. ‘Excellent, Millie and Jessica you are to go out with my brother for a promenade and then partake of an ice at Gunter’s. You must go at once and put on your bonnets and pelisses as Leo doesn’t like to be kept waiting.’

Millie was on her feet immediately with a squeal of excitement and Jessica followed her as eagerly. She could hear the chorus of protests from Millie’s older sister, Eloise, that she wasn’t to be included in this unexpected treat.

Leo, the brother of Frances, was the only gentleman she wasn’t uncomfortable talking to. They both had a fondness for horses, dogs and outdoor pursuits and she’d spent many happy hours riding around the vast grounds of Somiton Hall with him.

He’d entertained her with his anecdotes about his life as a cavalry officer in the army and she’d regaled him with less amusing stories of her unhappy childhood. He’d shown her nothing but kindness, treated her like a younger sibling and she dearly wished he would see her as something else. She would be eighteen years of age in June and considered herself a woman grown – if only he would see her in that way and not as a child.

There were so many bedchambers in this huge London house that there was no necessity for her to share and for that she was grateful. Of course, Millie and Eloise preferred to be in the same apartment and for some reason Frances and Grace were also sharing here which they didn’t do at home.

As she was on her own she also had a personal maid whereas the others had to share. Sally was as unlike her in personality as chalk was to cheese. The girl was the same age but with a wealth of experience of the world having been in service since she was only ten. Her tales of life below stairs and the antics of her betters was constantly entertaining. She’d been a maid of all work at Somiton Hall and they’d struck up an unlikely friendship. Therefore, when Aunt Estelle, which was how the girls addressed Mrs Somiton, suggested Sally would be an ideal abigail Jessica had been delighted to agree.

‘Sally, we’re to go out and explore the neighbourhood. I wish to wear my new cherry-red bonnet and the matching pelisse.’

‘I’ll find the boots that go with those items, miss. Are you taking the parasol?’

‘It’s more like to be rain than sunshine, Sally. Please be quick as you’ve also to get ready yourself. I couldn’t possibly go on this excursion without my maid.’

In record time Jessica was ready. She stopped to admire her new headwear – she particularly liked the fashionably long brim and the bunches of cherries that adorned it. These were the exact same colour as the silk lining and the ribbons that kept it in position on her head.

Millie was waiting impatiently in the grand entrance hall but there was, fortunately, no sign of their escort. ‘I’ve been waiting this age for both you and Leo. Do you think it’s going to rain? Do you have sufficient in your reticule to purchase anything we might want?’

‘We have exactly the same pin money each month. Surely you’ve not spent all yours?’

Adam was exceedingly generous with all of them and Jessica had a bag of gold in guineas hidden away in her dressing table as she never spent more than a few coins on fripperies each month.

‘Eloise told me that you saved all your allowances whereas we spend ours. Therefore, you are in a much better position than I to pay for things.’

There was one thing Jessica wouldn’t allow and that was for any of the girls to put upon her. She might be the quietest, the least attractive of the five of them, but she wasn’t so feeble as to be bullied. She certainly wasn’t going to dip into her savings for Millie.

‘I have sufficient for my needs; I suggest that you ask Leo to subsidise you because I’m certainly not going to.’

The discussion would have become more acrimonious if the missing gentleman hadn’t at that precise moment strolled into view. Neither of them had any intention of alienating him as he would have no hesitation in cancelling the excursion. He might not be as old, as wealthy or quite as large in stature as either Adam or Richard but he was just as formidable in his own way. After all, had he not killed men for the King?

A sensitive and well brought up young lady would have been disgusted and held Leo in dislike for his profession but to her it just made him more courageous and more interesting. She smiled at her nonsense. Most young ladies loved an officer in a red coat and she doubted any of them even considered how he made his living.

‘I apologise for keeping you waiting, girls, but I didn’t expect either of you to be so speedy. In my experience young ladies are infamous for being tardy.’

Millie rushed forward; she was always confident – perhaps a tad too confident. ‘I am so happy to be going out with you, Leo. I’ve never walked along Bond Street. Do you think I look my best in this new gown?’

The gown in question was a startling shade of puce and festooned with ruches and frills of all sorts. In Jessica’s opinion it was quite hideous and inadvertently she glanced at Leo and he winked.

‘It’s certainly eye-catching, my dear. We cannot walk three together...’

‘Then I shall walk with you as Jessica has her maid to accompany her.’ Millie moved closer but he shook his head.

‘No, you and Jessica will walk together.’ He smiled down at Sally who dipped in a small curtsy at his notice. ‘Sally, isn’t it? You will walk behind the young ladies and I shall be behind you.’

There was something a little amiss with this suggestion and although she hesitated to contradict him Jessica felt she had to point out the flaw. ‘Leo, as neither of us has ever traversed the streets of London it’s highly likely we shall be lost within a few moments if you leave it to us to lead the way.’

‘Fear not, Jessica, I shall shout my directions from behind you. Remember, girls, you must address me as Cousin Leo when in public.’

There had been no need for him to remind her but Millie was a feather-brain and would have forgotten they must conform to society’s rules when outside the family residence. They stepped out into the square and she paused to admire the spring blooms burgeoning in the central garden around which the grand houses were built.

Millie glanced over her shoulder. ‘I do hope Leo isn’t going to shout as it will draw unpleasant attention to us; people will think that we’ve been taken out by a madman.’

‘He was jesting, I’m certain he has no intention of shouting directions. I do know that if we walk down the street ahead of us, Grosvenor Street, it will eventually lead us to Bond Street. However, in which direction we go from there, I’ve no idea.’

Her words carried to the gentleman strolling along behind them. ‘We shall turn right and walk along Bond Street, then turn right again into Bruton Street which will lead us directly to Berkeley Square. There we shall find the famous Gunter’s and I shall treat you both to an ice.’

Jessica enjoyed the walk and looked with interest at the other pedestrians – especially at the ensembles worn by the ladies. She abhorred frills and roulades, unlike her cousin, and her own gown was simple and she hoped, suitably fashionable. She was much encouraged by observing at least three other ladies, extremely elegant ones, wearing similar bonnets to her own.

Millie, without asking Leo’s permission, dashed into an emporium selling gloves and other essential incidentals. ‘Sally, please stay with Miss Millie, she mustn’t be alone in there.’

Leo had paused to greet two friends but was obviously keeping a close watch on the pair of them. He strode to her side looking none too pleased.

‘Where’s Millie? Has she gone inside the haberdashers?’

‘Don’t scowl, Cousin Leo, I sent Sally with her. I’m certain she’ll come to no harm in such a respectable place.’

His smile warmed her. He reached out and flicked the bunches of cherries she so admired with one finger. ‘Might I enquire, Cousin Jessica, why you have the contents of a fruit bowl adorning your bonnet?’

Chapter Two

Jessica loved Leo’s teasing. This was something they both enjoyed. His comment about the ridiculous fruit hanging from her equally ridiculous bonnet made her toss her head, sending the aforementioned items spinning.

‘How dare you cast aspersions upon my favourite bonnet? If you care to take notice of the other ladies you will see that I am in the first stare of fashion with this item.’

‘I suppose I should consider myself fortunate that I’m not escorting a young lady wearing something that resembles a coal scuttle adorned with fruit.’

Her eyes widened and she was about to protest but then to add weight to his criticism two ladies walked past and the brims on their bonnets were so deep they were unable to converse as they couldn’t see each other.

‘Oh my, I see exactly what you’re referring to. I was so proud of this bonnet but now I have reservations. Mind you, my brim isn’t ridiculously deep and there is only one large bunch of cherries attached.’

The conversation was interrupted by Sally who curtsied to him. ‘I beg your pardon, sir, but Miss Millie hasn’t the wherewithal to pay for her purchases. She asks if you can do so for her.’

He was about to go in but she gently placed her hand on his arm. ‘She asked me to pay for everything because she knows that I save my allowance. I told her she would have to apply to you. I do apologise, as she obviously thought I was serious.’

‘I wasn’t intending to buy anything for her. I’m going in to remove the wretched girl before she embarrasses herself further.’

Jessica waited anxiously knowing that Millie might well make a scene if her wishes were not followed to the letter. The door opened and Leo stepped out holding firmly on to Millie’s elbow.

‘Cousin Millie has the headache. I’m going to escort her back to the house. As you have your maid with you then I see no reason why you shouldn’t continue on your promenade. There are many other young ladies out without a male escort.’

‘No, I’ll return with you.’

‘There’s no reason for your excursion to be cut short because of the ill manners of Cousin Millie. A few doors down from here there is a circulating library – why don’t you wait there for me? I’ll not be long.’

At the mention of the library her hesitation evaporated. ‘Thank you, that’s something I should dearly like to do. One of my passions is reading and especially anything romantic.’

Jessica couldn’t see Millie’s face as she had her head lowered but from her clenched fists, she was certain her cousin wasn’t upset, but angry. Both Eloise and her sister had been wild to a fault when they arrived at Somiton last summer but, on being threatened by both Edward and Adam that they would be sent packing if they didn’t behave, the two girls had calmed down.

Eloise was now a delightful friend and blended in perfectly with all of them. However, Millie had remained recalcitrant and volatile although she hid it well when in the company of the gentlemen. Their mother, another Mrs Somiton, had run off with the evil duo who had tried to set fire to the house and kill them all in order to steal the title and the wealth. Therefore, the two girls were basically orphans and were, like herself and Frances, under the guardianship of Adam.

Unfortunately, Millie as the youngest of the five girls, believed herself to be constantly overlooked because of her age. This wasn’t the case as they were all treated equally by their guardian. She thought there was no real malice in the girl, but being obliged to spend so much time with her because they were both excluded from the excitement wasn’t something she relished.

When Leo eventually reappeared she had three books neatly wrapped in brown paper and tied with string. These were purchases, not loans, as they were books she wished to have on her extensive bookshelf.

‘Cousin Jessica, I have been longer than I expected. I was obliged to involve Adam in the incident as Millie had an unpleasant and unedifying tantrum as soon as she stepped inside the house.

‘I don’t in any way believe that physical punishment is the answer to a problem but both Adam and I agreed, after the girl had been removed to her apartment and locked in, that a good spanking might well have solved the problem and possibly prevented a further incident of this kind.’

‘She was beaten regularly by her father before he died. This could well be another reason why she is so unhappy. It would have been far easier for me to have given her a guinea. I don’t think her poor behaviour is deliberate, I believe that it’s lack of understanding that causes her to upset people.’

He offered his arm and she placed her hand on it. ‘The incident is forgotten. I don’t wish to speak about her any longer but enjoy the company of a young lady who knows how to behave and is always entertaining.’

They strolled talking of this and that and arrived far too soon in Berkley Square. ‘Sally can buy the ices. We can sit at these tables so thoughtfully provided in order to consume them. Unless you’d prefer to go inside.’

‘I really would, Cousin Leo. I’ve heard so much about the cakes, the tea and the ices and would dearly love to experience the ambience of the interior for myself.’

He smiled indulgently as if humouring a small child. ‘Then, my dear, we shall go in. As we have your maid with us no one can object.’

She hesitated, her joy at the prospect of this treat evaporating. ‘Oh dear, is being with you on my own a breach of etiquette? I know nothing about such things and have no wish to cause anyone offense.’

‘Then you’ve changed your mind? You are as contrary as a windmill.’

‘I find I no longer want an ice at all. I intend to return immediately to Somiton House.’ She removed her hand from his arm and set out walking briskly leaving him no option but to follow.

Sally hurried to her side. ‘We take that road, miss, I don’t know what it’s called, and it leads to the one we were on earlier.’

The street she indicated was named Davies Street and she could see just ahead where this thoroughfare intersected with the one she needed. Leo arrived at her side. He did not look at all pleased with her.

Leo was so surprised by Jessica’s sudden departure that for a moment his feet refused to move. Then he strode after her. ‘Has the world run mad? I thought you a sensible girl and yet your behaviour demonstrates the reverse.’

She continued to walk and for a moment he thought he was being given the cut direct. Her ridiculous bonnet made it impossible to see her face. Then, after a considerable pause, she deigned to answer.

‘I am perfectly capable of walking home without your assistance, sir. As you pointed out earlier, I’m accompanied by my maid and have no need of any other escort. Thank you for your company, but it’s no longer required.’

If before he was surprised now he was dumbfounded. In the months that he’d known her not once had she spoken to him so sharply. He’d made every effort to ensure that she didn’t feel uncomfortable about being closely related to the two bastards who’d tried to murder everybody, and this was the thanks he got?

He was tempted to give her the set down she richly deserved but bit back the angry response. ‘In which case, Miss Somiton, I leave you to your own devices. I can assure you that I shan’t make the same mistake of offering to escort either you or Miss Amelia.’ He nodded and then as they’d just reached the junction with Grosvenor Street he turned right and marched, parade ground stiff, back to Bond Street.

He had absolutely no need to return there but equally had no intention of trailing along behind Jessica like an unwanted canine. He would walk to St James’s Street where his club, Boodle’s, was situated. It would take him no more than half an hour as all he had to do was walk down Bond Street, traverse along Old Bond Street, turn right into Piccadilly and finally left into St James’s Street.

Adam and Richard had tried to persuade him to abandon Boodle’s which they said was a haunt of country squires and bumpkins but Leo preferred to be with people who weren’t aristocrats. He might be vaguely related to the current Earl of Chalfont, but he was a plain man and preferred to mix with gentlemen similar to himself.

Of course there were the places where officers congregated but he was no longer one of them and to appear out of uniform would just emphasise his loss. His position in the family was secure as not only did he now act as Adam’s man of affairs but had also been given a sizeable sum – more than enough to buy himself a neat estate if he said so wished. Adam had been more than generous but Leo wanted to return to the life he knew, the career he’d worked so hard to make progress in. With Boney on the loose again his skills were needed. Now his sister and mother were happily ensconced with the Somiton brood perhaps he could re-enlist?

He bitterly regretted his inability to have taken into custody Somiton and his son. He’d been the ideal member of the family to follow the lead given to them by Lord Renshaw, but his search in the wilds of Norfolk had proved fruitless. The miscreants had certainly been there but they’d already moved on by the time he and his men arrived. It had proved impossible to pick up the trail a second time.

He spent a convivial hour or two talking to country gentlemen about the extortionate price of corn, the possible ending of the war with Bonaparte, and a variety of other equally compelling subjects. By the time he returned to Grosvenor Square his irritation with Jessica had long since been forgotten.

As he approached Somiton House his heart sank to his boots. There was a long line of carriages waiting outside. The cards that had been delivered to all the prestigious families also in Town for the Season had elicited this response. There was a matron, a determined look upon her face, crossing the small park in the centre of the square followed by a positive bevy of young ladies. These too must be on their way to make a morning call.

He’d intended to search out Jessica in order to discover why she’d been so cross. He was at a loss to understand what he’d done to offend but was determined to find out. He was fond of the girl, and she needed his support as she’d withdrawn from the friendship offered by the other girls after the incident last year.

He’d rather face a brigade of Boney’s troops than enter the drawing room from which the sound of laughter, chatter and general nonsense spilled out into the road. He kept his head down and walked past and then turned under the archway that led to the stables, coach house and the accommodation for the grooms and other outside men.

His intention had been to lurk in the stables. His magnificent gelding, his warhorse, had been turned out for the summer in Somiton or he could have taken him for a gallop around Green Park. Adam kept a well-stocked stable in the country but, like most, he didn’t bring more equines than were absolutely essential for pulling the barouche, the travelling carriage and for riding. The cost of fodder and bedding for one horse was more than it cost to employ a footman – considerably more.

As he was passing the gate that led into the rear garden he changed his mind and thought he’d be better sitting somewhere out of sight amongst the spring flowers. However lustrous the foliage, plentiful the birdsong, he always knew he wasn’t in the countryside. The air in London was permanently thick with smoke from the many fires, as well as other noxious smells from the mass of unwashed humanity that dwelt in the less salubrious parts of the city.

The gate was unlocked which was fortunate as he had no wish to scale the six-foot wall and ruin the toes of his boots by so doing. He’d been wandering around the well-tended garden for less than a quarter of an hour before he came face-to-face with the very person he most wished to speak to.

She turned as if to flee but he called her back. ‘Please, my dear, don’t run away from me again. I’ve no wish to cause you distress but would dearly like to know why you ran off earlier.’

‘I do most sincerely beg your pardon, Leo, but when you told me that being seen with me might cause gossip and bring unfavourable rumours to the family who have taken me in, you must see that I couldn’t remain.’

‘I do see that but surely you could have explained it to me and not dismissed me so... so rudely.’

She giggled, not at all put out by his gentle reprimand. Cordial relations were obviously re-established. ‘Rudely? I just said that I no longer required your company – I think that perfectly polite. I suppose that I must apologise a second time.’

She fell into step beside him and they strolled around the garden once more in harmony. ‘I know why I’m hiding here; might I enquire why you aren’t in the drawing room enjoying the company of the other young ladies and their mothers?’

‘You know me well enough, Leo, to understand that I hate crowds and can’t abide the simpering and giggling one encounters from the silly debutantes.’

Jessica so enjoyed her pleasant chats with Leo that she was reluctant to put a stop to them, but after his comments this morning she was now wondering if being alone with him even in the garden would be considered ill-advised.

‘I know you consider me little more than a schoolroom miss, but after your warning this morning I think we must be more circumspect about being alone together. The last thing I want to do is put you under any obligation towards me because we might have been seen in what could be considered a compromising situation.’ She paused as he was looking at her as if she was speaking in tongues. ‘Oh dear, have I misunderstood how things work? I am ignorant of the rules of society and was under the mistaken impression that being alone here in the garden might be misconstrued.’

He shook his head, started to say something but then changed his mind and rubbed his eyes in an endearing fashion. He tried again. ‘Somehow what I intended to be an innocent and friendly relationship between us has become something else. You’re right to say that until you mentioned it I hadn’t realised I was treating you as if you were not a woman grown.’

His smile was somehow different from any she’d received before. The warmth, the brightness of his eyes, made her pulse flutter.

‘Young ladies have been married and with an infant in their arms at my age. I’ve considered myself an adult since I left the schoolroom three years ago. I believe you now realise that we are treading on dangerous ground by continuing to meet like this.’

She expected him to agree, to bow or nod politely and then depart leaving her alone in the garden. Instead, he stared at her in a most particular way making her cheeks flush under his scrutiny.

‘I am entirely to blame for this misunderstanding. I think I’ve known all along that our spending time together like this was unwise so I blinded myself to the fact that you were an eligible and quite beautiful young lady.’

She wasn’t sure how to take his compliments as she was unused to receiving any from a gentleman of any sort. What she did know was that finally he recognised the truth and even if it meant this precious time they spent together must cease, that was a good thing.

‘So, we’ve no option but to join the crush in the drawing room. I fear that you’ll be pounced on by a dozen or more eager young ladies. I suppose you must be grateful that you no longer wear scarlet regimentals as if you did you would be flattened in the rush.’

He laughed as she’d intended and they walked into the house together. Did he realise that things were now quite different between them? She had harboured romantic feelings for him from the start – was it possible he might now reciprocate?

She made an excuse about needing to go to her chamber and left him to walk in by himself. From the squeals of excitement and the patter of female feet her prediction about his popularity had been correct. At exactly fifteen minutes past three o’clock the last caller departed and she heard the older girls rush past but none of them thought to knock on her door and enquire how she did.

Millie, Leo had told her, was confined to her apartment until given leave to come out. Nobody would dare to disobey Adam – or any of the gentlemen for that matter. The twins were indistinguishable one from the other in both appearance and behaviour. No, that wasn’t quite true as Richard was less severe than his brother and had a livelier sense of humour.

Leo resembled the previous Earl of Marchant, Grace’s papa, so wasn’t either as tall or as broad as the other two. However, he was equally formidable and although she was biased, she firmly believed that in a tight corner he was the man to have at your side. He could handle a firearm, a sabre, and being an ex-cavalry officer could ride any horse however difficult it might be.

There was to be some sort of musical evening at the home of Lord and Lady Peterson who resided on the other side of the square. This was an informal occasion therefore she was allowed to attend – although she doubted that Millie would be coming with her. She would dearly like to forego the treat and retire early with supper on a tray and spend the evening lost in one of her new books.

They were to dine early tonight as the event they were to attend began at seven which was far earlier than most parties. She’d been amazed to discover that a ball would never start before ten o’clock – she was usually fast asleep in bed by that time and didn’t envy those forced to attend one jot.

Perhaps she would plead a megrim and thus be able to get out of this unpleasant duty. If she went to bed now and got Sally to draw the curtains and close the shutters then this would lend credence to her story. Unfortunately, it would also mean she could hardly ask for a tray to be sent up to her.

She was pondering which would be worse – to be forced to attend the musical evening or to go to bed hungry? The decision was taken out of her hands as Frances knocked on the door and stepped in.

‘You have been hiding here alone quite long enough, Jessica. Millie is in disgrace so cannot come but we’re all determined to have you beside us. Your absence was noted by Aunt Charlotte and she’s not a lady you wish to offend.’

‘I was thinking of having a megrim and that would explain why I wasn’t in the drawing room with the rest of you.’

‘You’ll do no such thing. Richard and Demelza arrived half an hour ago so not only are Adam and Leo coming, but also Richard. Millie is beside herself because she’s not allowed to go but there’s no reason whatsoever for you to decline. There will only be guests who are presently residing in the square attending tonight. Also, it’s not one of those events where we sit on uncomfortable chairs for hours listening to appalling singers and pianists.’

‘I thought that was what happened at a musical evening. Tell me what will occur instead?’

‘We shall be sitting on uncomfortable chairs in the ballroom but we are to be entertained by professional singers and musicians. Then there will be cards for those that wish to play and dancing for those that don’t.’

‘Dancing? Then I’ll certainly accompany you. The gentlemen are obliged to dance with all the ladies of their party so that means I can have three dances without having to stand up with strangers.’

‘Exactly so. You’re going to be tardy if you don’t start your preparations now as the time is already but an hour to dinner.’

‘Then you too will be late as you take equally as long as I to change into an evening gown. Thank you for coming to speak to me. I’m actually looking forward to the event.’