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old.’
    â€˜I am old enough and can look after myself. There’s not one weak bone in my body.’ Her fingers curled tightly into her palm as she tried to remain calm. ‘I have enough good sense in my head to know what I am doing.’
    â€˜That is where we differ, Beatrice. Had you any sense at all, you would not have entered into this disgraceful wager with Lord Chadwick.’ Her eyes narrowing, she thrust her head forwards and glared knowingly at this disappointing niece of hers. ‘What do you hope for? To push Astrid out of her place? To supplant her in Lord Chadwick’s attention? Though this was supposed to be Astrid’s birthday party, you have stolen her attention. In fact, you have eclipsed Astrid in success. There is some doubt that Lord Chadwick will offer for her now. Are you jealous of your cousin, Beatrice? Is that it?’
    A frown crossed Beatrice’s beautiful face, then her anger fled and she knew a moment of shame. ‘I am not jealous of Astrid. Please do not think that. I love Astrid as a sister and I would never do anything that would cause her pain. Astrid doesn’t have a place in Lord Chadwick’s affections, Aunt Moira, that is plain to see. You wanted him to notice her. He was polite. You saw what you wanted to see.’
    â€˜And you hate him—remember?’ she pointed out coldly.
    â€˜Yes, I do.’
    â€˜Then I would have thought you would have wanted to steer well clear of him. And the wager? I do not believe in flouting propriety in this way. It is the most disgraceful thing I have ever heard in my life.’
    â€˜I am sorry if it has caused you distress, Aunt, but the wager is made. I cannot go back on my word.’
    â€˜And what do you hope to get out of it—if you win, that is,’ she sneered, ‘which I very much doubt, sinceby all accounts no one handles a horse quite like Lord Chadwick?’
    â€˜Then perhaps he has met his match. I accept that what I am doing is a risk.’
    â€˜Risk?’ Lady Standish gave her a thin, sarcastic smile. ‘I think that is putting it mildly, Beatrice.’
    Beatrice lifted her head and looked squarely into her aunt’s eyes. ‘If I win and Lord Chadwick agrees to my forfeit, not only will I be able to return to Larkhill, I will also have the means to make it one of the finest houses in the county. You will also have me off your hands for good, which I know you will look on as a blessing.’
    â€˜That is the most foolish thing I have ever heard. This time you have gone too far. You will not do it. Do you hear me? Don’t you dare disobey me. I will not have it. I will not be accused of being unable to keep my niece in check and made a laughing stock. Now go to your room and think good and hard about what I have said.’
    â€˜I will, Aunt Moira.’ On that note Beatrice excused herself, leaving a thoroughly shocked Aunt Moira staring after her.
    Â 
    Beatrice returned to the party as dusk was beginning to fall. After an hour spent talking to friends and acquaintances, she went in search of Astrid. She found her listening to the musicians. They were all dressed alike in crimson coats and white trousers, seated on a rostrum hung with coloured lanterns. Astrid turned her head when Beatrice stood beside her and smiled. Hereyes sparkled and a pretty flush coloured her cheeks as she sipped a glass of lemonade cooled with crushed ice.
    â€˜There you are, Beatrice. I thought you had disappeared for good.’
    â€˜Are you enjoying your party, Astrid?’
    â€˜Oh, yes. Mama has gone to a lot of trouble and expense to make it right. Although I do find it all rather awe-inspiring,’ she admitted, envious of her cousin’s self-assurance.
    Beatrice nodded in agreement. Looking around, she saw couples wandering away to indulge in a little starlit privacy. Lord Chadwick was watching her from across the stretch of lawn that lay like a rich velvet