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Perhaps the reason Seth wanted to go to Vauxhall without his sister was to engage in one such assignation No doubt that had been his goal at Madame Fleur’s And perhaps he had done so after she left Vauxhall with its diroups with chaperones paying diligent attention, ladiesswains

Unable to stop herself, she inquired, "Is this your brother’s first visit to Vauxhall since you’ve arrived to Town?"

"I believe so He happened upon an old acquaintance yesterday who invited him I believe Mr

Manchester has a sister Seth is interested inoff a tiny piece of biscuit and stuffing it into her suddenly dry h "Since he intends to take a wife this Season, he’s reeable to Society" Her lips twitched "Lucky him"

With decided care, Jane set her saucer back down on the service and sed her bit of biscuit

She tried to think of an appropriate response to this news, but words failed her Seth had coe was the natural course for any gentleman of means

At the stretch of silence, Rebecca looked up fro and studied her with a curious lift of her brows

Feeling coap in conversation, Jane opened herher throat, she tried again "I areeable lady His greatest challenge will be in choosing from the vast nu of the ones who had not wed last Season Or the Season before Or thefor a new husband Her heart sank

Heavens, her coht brought her to a hard stop She was _not _ in the market for a husband

Especially when her relations kept her hidden fro, too happy to use her as their drudge Besides, she had Matthew to consider So school holidays

"I fear he will be beyond selective," Julianne groused "He has unreasonable expectations"

"Indeed?"

Julianne paused and bit her lip Releasing it, she confessed, "He expects us to like each other"

"Oh" Jane blinked "Well, that’s considerate of your brother to consider--"

"No, you don’t understand That is quite nearly his _only _ qualification He wishes to wed a lady who likesdecidedly confused That a gentleman would only require that his bride _like _ his sister was decidedly odd

As though reading her e, but when Seth returned ho to have Seth declared legally dead We did not even know Seth had been transferred to service in China I had assulers on the African coast"

"Tell the all of it Tell her what that wretch Harold did," Rebecca exclai her needles with sudden force, as though the scarf taking shape was the wretch under discussion

Julianne sed coiffure Only the slight treave her discomfort "Harold petitioned to have me come

Julianne nodded, tucking a wispy auburn tendril behind her ear

"Blindness is not a mental affliction" Jane’s hands fisted in her skirts at the injustice done Julianne By a ed one shoulder "Harold wanted me out of the way He probably would have succeeded if Seth had not returned"

"The blackguard!"

"Now you see why my brother is deter, Jane shook her head "I fail to see the connection--"

"He needs to feel confident that his ould look out forshould befall hi at once Seth had no desire to marry He married for the sake of his sister No doubt his experience with her fae

She would never forget his face that day, earnest and deter Madeline’s na at the footmen who tried to stop him He had been convinced her sister was restrained somewhere within the house, that so hi had kept Madeline from him save her own ambitions to wed someone titled, someone richer--someone other than a second son destined for the navy A portside cottage and naval lieutenant’s trifling wages could hardly entice Madeline to go against their father and elope with Seth

She did not see the unyielding ain His cold gaze and scant civility had chilled her Softer sentiments were lost on him

The bronze clock on thethe hour Jane rose

"Ifrorasped a silver-headed cane beside her "I’ you in the park was purely providential"

"Indeed so," Jane replied with a s not to feel a stab of disappointain today

Julianne stepped forward, lightly knocking her cane about as clearly still an unfarasped her by the elbow Rebecca tucked her knitting away into a basket and fell in step behind them They had just cleared the threshold and entered the corridor when a deep voice reverberated over the air

"Good afternoon, ladies"