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irritation across the lawn.  Graves must have told him that Jeremy was back since Henry did not look at all pleased.  He rocked back and forth on his heels until they were within talking distance , but remained silent until Jeremy spoke.
    “It’s good to see you, Father.  How was your trip to London?”  Elizabeth could hear the strain in Jeremy’s voice and jumped in.
    “Henry, Captain Flynn has been back for several days.  Isn’t it wonderful to have him come and stay with us?”
    Sir Henry took in their disheveled appearance , his eyes growing even colder. “I hear you have resigned your commission, s ir.” The points of his collar were digging into his quivering jowls , the color high in his cheeks.
    “I have.  I ’ m done with fighting.”
    “I had no idea I raised such a coward.”  Henry was baiting his son , and Elizabeth felt Jeremy vibrate with tension next to her.
    “If choosing to leave the army after ten years of fighting makes me a coward, then so be it, Father.  I ’ m sorry to be a disappointment to you.”
    “What are your plans , sir ?”  Sir Henry looked like a belligerent bulldog , making Elizabeth wonder what got into him. 
    “That largely depends on you, Father.  I was hoping to stay for a while, but I see I ’ m not welcome.”
    “This is your home and you may stay if you wish.”  With that he turned around and stormed back into the house , leaving Elizabeth baffled and Jeremy furious.  She would have to talk to Henry about his son.  She always had the power to soothe him , and she wanted to make things easier for Jeremy.
    **
    Elizabeth found Henry in the library before dinner, sitting in front of the cold hearth and puffing on his cigar.  She hated the smell, but forced herself to go inside.  She needed to speak to her husband un disturbed , and this was the best place to do that .  Jeremy was presumably in his room getting ready for dinner , which made this a good opportunity to catch Henry alone.  Sir Henry looked up in surprise as Elizabeth entered the room and took a seat opposite him in the studded leather armchair. 
    “Henry, I wanted to speak with you regarding Captain Flynn .”  Elizabeth saw the tightening of the mouth and the narrowing of the eyes, but she would not be deterred.
    “Henry, please.  He ’ s your only son.  Why are you so cross with him?  I would think you ’ d be happy to have your heir back home safely.”
    “Are you suggesting I wanted him dead?”  Henry gave her a quizzical look , as he puffed out a cloud of smelly smoke.  “I ’ m happy that he is safe and sound.  I just don’t really know him very well , and it’s awkward having him here after all this time .”
    “Wouldn’t this be a good opportunity to get to know each other?”
    “I suppose,” answered Henry gruffly, hoping Elizabeth would be satisfied with his answer and leave him in peace, but she wasn’t finished yet.
    “Henry, I have a wonderful idea.  Why not have a b all to celebrate his safe return?  What do you think?  Oh, please say “ Y es”, Henry.  We’ve never had a ball .”
    “Elizabeth, you are relentless.  I suppose we might have a soiree of some sort.  Must it be a full-blown b all?”  Henry knew he ’ d lost, but he wasn’t giving up without a fight.
    “Yes, it must be a grand ball.”
    “All right, Elizabeth.  We will have a ball.  Please show me the guest list before you send out the invitations.   I would like to have some say in this affair. ”
    Elizabeth jumped up and clapped her hands gleefully.  “Oh, thank you, my dear.  It will be splendid .  I have so many ideas.  I can’t wait to tell Jeremy, I mean, Captain Flynn.”  Elizabeth planted a kiss on Henry’s cheek and disappeared through the door before he could say anything more.
    Henry was less than happy with the idea of having a ball in Jeremy's honor, but he didn’t want to disappoint Elizabeth.   Besides, what legitimate reason could he give her