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with him over Harriet and the stillborn daughter she had been too long giving birth to. And when he had posted down from London after Web’s death, he had held her close for a full, silent hour, rocking her against him, soothing her numb pain, crying for both her and himself, though she herself had been unable to know the relief of tears.
    Yes, Piers had always been a friend and always would be, she fervently hoped. For life would lose its final light if that friendship were ever withdrawn. And friendship was enough.
    She enjoyed her freedom and independence. She wanted no more than friendship from any man. 
    “You have a classically beautiful profile,” Sir Clayton said. “I have been sitting silently here, admiring it, ma’am.”
    Alice smiled and began a new round of small talk. Would Piers never get there?
    ***
    Miss Cassandra Borden was late going to her room to dress for the evening at the theater, though her mother fretted at the lengthy delay. Mr. Bosley had been giving the girl advice on how to fix her interest with Mr. Westhaven.
    “You must always wear your costliest frocks and jewels, Cassie,” he had said. “Tonight, of course, you will not have much choice of frock as most of your new rig-out has hot been delivered yet. But you must wear the rubies, for sure. I am glad I had the foresight to buy them and the garnets and emeralds yesterday. Wear the necklace, the bracelet, and the earrings. Oh, and the brooch, too, of course. And finger them, Cassie, as if you did not know you did so. Then he will look at them and know how costly they are.”
    “Yes, Uncle,” she said.
    “But a young girl cannot wear rubies, brother,” Lady Margam said, “It will be more proper for Cassandra to wear the pearls you sent her for her last birthday.”
    “Mere baubles!” he said dismissively.
    “Come along, Cassandra,” her mother said. “ It is time to get ready. It does not do to keep a gentleman waiting, you know.”
    Mr. Bosley roared with laughter. “There is nothing better, “ he said. “Keep them hopping, Cassie. Keep them on their toes. Keep them anxious.”
    “Yes, Uncle,” she said.
    “And smile at him, Cass,” he said, “and flutter your eyelashes in that way you girls have. And look at him as if you thought he was the only gentleman worth looking at. He will be at your feet in a week.”
    “Will he, Uncle?” she said.
    “Come along, Cassandra,” her mother said. 
    And finally they went.
    The ladies were not yet ready, Mr. Westhaven was informed when he stepped punctually from his carriage and was admitted to the house on Russell Square. But it probably would not have mattered if they had been. It seemed that his host had decided to entertain and impress him. 
    Mr. Westhaven accepted a chair in a tastelessly but expensively decorated sitting room, took a glass of port from Mr. Bosley, and prepared to be entertained.
    He was not disappointed. Interspersed with comments on horses and politics and boxing mills were details of just how large a fortune was to be made in fish and just how eager an enormously wealthy and single and lonely gentleman was to settle a large portion of his fortune on an only niece.
    “When she see fit to marry, of course, sir,” a genial Mr. Bosley said, beaming at his guest. “I would not consider it wise or good business to let my hard-earned pounds rest in the palm of a mere female. Cass’s home would probably be full to overflowing with bonnets and feathers and fans.”
    Mr. Westhaven joined in the hearty laughter. No, that would not be wise at all, he assured his host. Better far to entrust the fortune to the girl’s husband.
    “When she sees fit to marry, of course,” he added, and laughed with his host again.
    He was vastly entertained. He could not remember when he had been more diverted. It was a pity he would have to wait until the next day to share his amusement with Allie. Doubtless he would not be able to have a