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his personal property. He allowed Elspeth little chance for comment, but when she mentioned that she was acquainted with Lieutenant Joel Skye, he uttered a short bark of laughter and said contemptuously, “His sun has set! Small doubt of that! Attached himself to the wrong coat-tail!”
    Annoyed, Elspeth stiffened, but before she could comment the diplomatist leant forward and enquired in his high-pitched voice, “And how does your son prosper, Commodore? I understand he has ambitions to replace young Skye. Has he found an appropriate, ah—coat-tail?”
    The Commodore reddened and blustered, and Elspeth, smiling upon the sneezer, met an amused wink and decided that he was not at all boring.
    The dinner was excellent and not so heavy as to deplete the energy of those wishing to dance. Very soon after Lady Bottesdale led the ladies to a beautifully appointed withdrawing room the gentlemen joined them. More guests were arriving and the company began to drift towards either the card room where several tables had been set up, or to a large music room which had been cleared to provide plenty of space for dancing.
    Sir Brian Beech and his son gravitated to Elspeth’s side, as did her diplomatist dinner partner and two eager young gentlemen who had shown a marked interest when they were presented to her before dinner. A quartet of musicians began to tune their instruments. Elspeth was laughingly attempting to choose a partner for a country dance when she caught sight of a familiar head above the throng and her heart leapt.
    Nicholas Drew was impressive tonight, his thick hair powdered and neatly tied back, his evening dress impeccable, and the sabre cut on his cheek piqueing feminine interest. He made his way towards Elspeth and she disappointed her admirers by declaring that she had promised the first dance to an old family friend.
    Her uncle and cousin wandered off at once, but the remaining admirers were made of sterner stuff. Drew came up to bow over her hand, and with a nice blend of humour and expertise he succeeded in detaching her from the ardent little male group without incurring too much animosity. Leading her to a quiet corner near a large potted plant, he said, low-voiced, “How glad I am to find you, Ellie. Were you able to enlist Skye’s support?”
    â€œAlas, no. Pray do not think me foolish, but—I could not bring myself to ask him.”
    He looked at her curiously, and she gave him a brief account of the situation and of her decision not to involve a faithful friend in so precarious a venture. Drew was silent, his expression grave, and she said anxiously, “You likely think I should put my brother’s life ahead of any other, and that I am involving you, regardless. But—I could not, Nicky! I—I simply could not ask him. I am very sure he would have agreed to do whatever he might, but he scarcely knows Vance, and his papa is so…”
    He took up her hand and patted it comfortingly. “I know. Colonel Skye is a proper tartar and I doubt would hesitate to take out his anger on his wife, which understandably would distress her son.”
    â€œThat’s it exactly. Joel adores his mama and she is so frail, poor lady. But in the meanwhile—I am nigh distracted! My dear brother is hurt and so far away; time passes and I am doing nothing to help him!”
    â€œNever fret, m’dear. I suspect we’ve several days before they’ll dare question Vance, and I have—” He paused, eyeing her uncertainly. “What is it?”
    In her agitation Elspeth had faced him, her back to the big room. On the wall beside them a great gilded mirror reflected a colourful picture of the guests and the dance that was now ending. Across the room Sir Brian Beech and his son were deep in converse. Even as she saw them, Conrad turned his head and looked towards them. He turned away almost instantly and said something to his father. Sir Brian’s gaze