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a bachelor. Indeed, I know nothing to the contrary, and I have enquired of other members of his party this evening. But I think you must be certain that honorable matrimony is his object. He is, after all, more than twice your age—”
    “How can you know anything about it?” Maria demanded. “Age is irrelevant when two hearts beat as one.”
    I folded my hands. “Maria, I am only trying to help. I know from hard experience how men can take advantage of youth and beauty—”
    “You’re just jealous,” Maria said. “You’re nineteen and married and nobody looks at you anymore.”
    Now it was my turn to feel the furious heat rising in my cheeks. “Maria, you are clearly infatuated. And if he returns your feelings and wants to marry you, well and good. But I am warning you that if you slip off alone with him again, I will tell your mother.”
    Maria threw the journal at me. It caught me at the corner of my left eye, and hurt quite a lot. I resisted the urge to slap her. Instead, I got up and handed it back to her, though my hands were shaking. “I see that you are as stupid as I was. Good night.” I slammed the door on my way out and went back downstairs. I had been so very stupid, and certainly no one could have told me so at the time.
    The party was ending. A few gentlemen lingered. Jan had General Pichegru in a corner and was wearing his ear out. Our hostess was nowhere to be seen. Nor our host.
    Moreau was pouring another glass of Madeira at thesideboard. I walked in directly, my draped skirts whispering over the parquet floors. He looked up, a little startled. “Madame Ringeling? Would you like a glass of this excellent Madeira?”
    “I would,” I said. “And a word with you in private, General.”
    His mouth quirked and he made a half bow. “It would be my greatest pleasure. I believe the terrace is unoccupied?”
    We stepped out through the French doors. The night was cool and moonlit, but not so chilly that I wished for a wrap. The moon was at first quarter and rising clean above the fields. I took a long drink of the Madeira.
    “You had something to say to me?” he asked, waiting in his plain black evening dress.
    “I want to know the nature of your feelings for my cousin,” I said. “Maria is fifteen, and you have quite turned her head.”
    “Ah.” Moreau cradled his glass in his hands. “You are concerned for your cousin’s reputation. An admirable sentiment.”
    “It would be more admirable if you answered a direct question,” I said. “Do you intend to marry her?”
    “I wondered why you had enquired after my wife’s health with the entire French delegation,” he said, “since there is no such lady. I see that this was by way of intelligence gathering.”
    “Are you planning to marry my cousin, or am I going to speak with her father?” I asked. “There are two possible answers, and I will have one or the other.”
    Moreau looked down at his glass and smiled in amusement. “Touché, Madame. I have no desire to marry at this point in my life. Your cousin is charming, but I have little patience for the state of matrimony. I fear that she has read far too much into some commonplace pleasantries that I produced for the sake of gallantry. And I see that I have no chance at even such innocent pastimes with a Gorgon guarding her.”
    “Men like to term fierce women such monsters,” I said. “Butbetter a Gorgon than a fool, General. Leave my cousin alone, or I will see that her father makes it an affair of honor.”
    Moreau did not seem upset. “I will comply with your ultimatum, Madame. I seem to have little choice.”
    I nodded. “That is true. And while Maria will be angry now, it is better than that she should do something she would regret for the rest of her life.”
    “Does it occur to you that Maria is in every way inferior to you? And that perhaps my ulterior motive in joining you for a ride had nothing to do with the desire to be alone with Maria?”
    I looked away and