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tomorrow’s medicine worthwhile with some more wine. But I hope Anna will dance every dance.” As she spoke she guided her family toward the fireplace in the long room running the length of the house, where once ladies in outlandish ruffs and farthingales had taken their exercise. A group of musicians, whom Jane recognized as the village waits who played at Christmas and on other festive occasions, struck up a lively tune.
    William approached the Austens and bowed. “Jane, you’ll dance with me, I hope. And Mr. Fuller would very much like to be introduced to Miss Anna for the first dance.”
    Jane, aware that but a few minutes ago Tom Fuller’s interest in her niece enraged her, smiled as the introductions were made and rested her hand in William’s. Other couples joined them, but before the dance could begin, a footman made his way to William’s side.
    “Sir, I beg your pardon, but the others, you know, sir, they are here, and . . .”
    “Pray excuse me, ma’am.” William bowed to Jane and drew the servant aside. The man seemed to be in some state of consternation.
    “Very well,” William said to him after a short exchange. “Show them in.”
    But already a group of newcomers had arrived in the Gallery, half a dozen members of the Damned.
    Jane gasped as pain shot through her teeth once more.
    William came back to her side. “I regret I must leave you to talk with my new guests. I shall claim another dance this evening, Jane. Is everything well with you?” He added in a lower voice.
    “Well enough.” She took her place on the couch next to Cassandra.
    Cassandra squeezed her hand. “Never mind, I am sure you will dance again. Who are those people? The red-haired lady and the gentleman with her look very familiar.”
    “Oh, yes,” Jane said. “Most familiar indeed.”

Chapter 4
    W illiam’s stance, as he moved toward his new guests, was one Jane recognized: one of the Damned ready to attack. What could this mean, that William, grieving for his fledgling, should show such aggression toward him? A brief conversation followed that Jane could not make out above the noise of the music, the thud of feet on the wooden floor, and the laughter and conversations of the dancers. At one point, Luke stepped back, hands spread, in a gesture of appeasement.
    Luke Venning, for a short time her Consort, was the man she had abandoned for mortality and Cassandra. She had not seen him since their last painful exchange, although even now she would see a gentleman who would remind her of Luke and her heart would give a painful lurch. Just as some features of the Damned remained with her—her lean build and her long stride—so a part of her heart remained Luke’s.
    He was deep in conversation with William, but his companion, a beautiful redheaded woman, met Jane’s gaze across the room. Her expression registered surprise and then contempt. With a slow smile she tucked one hand into the crook of Luke’s arm. So Margaret was once again Luke’s Consort.
    William and Luke seemed to come to some sort of an agreement; a brief handshake followed.
    The dance came to an end with a jubilant final chord, and Anna came to Jane’s side. “Aunt Jane, Mr. Fuller asked if he could dance again with me; and I said he must ask you.”
    “Very proper,” Jane said to Anna and Tom. “I believe your reputation will not suffer.”
    She certainly didn’t want Anna to have any contact with the Damned who accompanied Luke—they looked almost a different breed, arrogant and dangerous. She watched Anna and Tom return to the center of the room and spoke quietly to Cassandra. “My dear, pray do not encourage any of the gentlemen who have just arrived to partner Anna, even if Mrs. Kettering introduces them.”
    “But they are very handsome,” Cassandra said.
    “Trust me. I shall explain later.”
    “Very well.” Cassandra fanned herself. “I wonder where Mr. Fitzpatrick and Mr. Venning have gone?”
    “They have left?”
    “Yes, they