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knapsacks of my enemies, as what’s-his-name said.”
    “Napoleon, sir?”
    “Was it?”
    Perhaps feeling it had been long enough since her swain had noticed her, Aunt Paige rapped his arm slightly with her fan. “The prettiest sight you’ve ever seen? I declare I feel insulted. What about you, Rose?”
    “I believe we must make excuses for military men,” Rose said, letting her curious eyes rest on Sir Niles. “Living as they do among men alone, they lose the knack for compliments.”
    “Not entirely,” Sir Niles said. “We have our dreams to keep us in practice.” He looked at Rose with an ember of his former intensity in his expression. “We must cling to our dreams, no matter how long it takes to achieve them.” Taking Aunt Paige’s hand in his, he bowed over it. “I shall beat the retreat, Lady Marlton.” In his usual unhurried way, he left them.
    “I’ll find you later, Alardyce,” the general said.
    “Go now,” Aunt Paige said, flicking her fan in his direction. “I know better than to come between a man and his Army acquaintances.”
    “But, er ... um.” He rolled his eyes toward the bench. “Don’t like to leave you alone, m’dear.”
    “I have my niece to bear me company. You may call on me tomorrow between the hours of eleven and twelve. You will find me quite alone then.”
    After he’d gone, Aunt Paige sank onto the bench. Rose, laughing a little, joined her. “Who was that extraordinary man?”
    “General Sir Augustus O’Banyon, if you please. Quite the most fascinatingly active man. Within ten minutes, he’d routed my most favored friends, danced a gavotte without actually injuring anyone— though one gentleman only saved himself with a leap worthy of a mountain goat—and swept me off to this secluded corner, undoubtedly reconnoitered in advance. It’s a lucky chance for me you should have found it already, or heaven knows in what condition I might be at this moment.” She sighed ecstatically. “There’s really nothing like the army for organization.”
    “I hadn’t realized Sir Niles had been in the army,” Rose said slowly.
    “He is of the proper age to have served. I shall ask the general about him, if you wish. Tell me, what were you and he speaking of just now? He seemed terribly intent.”
    “I was ... we were ...”
    “I trust you weren’t warning him of the evils of the way he lives. It’s none of your affair; you are too innocent, and heaven forbid you should ever be anything else.”
    “Isn’t it my affair when he embroils my brother in his activities?”
    “Alas, no,” Aunt Paige said. “Besides, it isn’t as though anyone is forcing Rupert into playing so high. Of course, as his aunt, I’m appalled by his extravagance. On the other hand, many men play for great stakes and lose without losing one jot of their consequence. Look at Mr. Brummel.”
    “Considering, ma’am, that Mr. Brummel was forced, thanks to his debts, into going into exile, I hardly think he is a model for Rupert’s behavior.”
    “But think how long he was the arbiter of all that was fashionable, and one always heard he’d lost prodigious sums. I must say, I wish we could see his like again. Men were so neat then. Now they turn themselves into such figures of fun with their wasp waists and chimney-pot hats.”
    “Sir Niles always looks like a bandbox figure.” Saying his name was the equivalent of prodding a sore tooth to learn if it still hurt.
    “Oh, Sir Niles stands alone. Such elegance, such taste, such a restful man. The Countess of Brayle claims he redecorated her drawing room so neatly she never knew workmen were in the house. It was as if the genie of the ring had appeared and arranged the whole matter.”
    “I didn’t know he lent his talents to things other than the design of new cravats and other fripperies.”
    “Well, the countess is his sister’s husband’s cousin. Sir Niles only gives his help to relations. I don’t believe he cares a flip of his