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the moment, it was all he had. And after what he’d seen of Hermione Leonard, he was more determined than ever to prevent his brother from having to go through with this marriage. “You are too prudent not to see that a union between my brother and Miss Leonard is likely to fail.”
    “Why?” Rebecca turned her striking hazel eyes upon himagain. “Because he is impetuous and inconstant and she does not meet your exacting standards? Those were the reasons you gave me when we first met. They did not sway me then nor do they now. I think more highly of Hermione and Mr. Stanhope than you appear to. I reckon he truly cares for her, and she for him. I believe they can be happy together.”
    She did not raise her voice or pound on anything, as his brother would have done. Instead she simply stated her position with firm sincerity that Sebastian found much more difficult to dismiss. “Does that mean ‘no’?”
    Rebecca nodded. “You have praised my sense and sincerity, but those mean nothing to me without loyalty. You also observed that we are alike in our concern for those we care about. How can you suppose I would do anything to cause Hermione a moment’s grief? She is very dear to me and I will not advise her against a course of action that I believe provides her best chance of continued happiness.”
    Much as it disappointed Sebastian to see his promising plan go awry, he found himself equally troubled to lose the opportunity for continued contact with Rebecca.
    “You must despise me for even suggesting such a thing.” He tried to make light of it, only to discover how much the prospect of her bad opinion troubled him. “At least now I can count you among those who regard me as arrogant, stubborn and ruthless.”
    Sebastian turned sharply on his heel so she would not glimpse any look in his eyes that might betray his true feelings. “Since that is settled, perhaps we had better be getting back.”
    He’d only taken two long strides when she called after him. “I do not despise you, Sebastian.”
    Her words halted him in his tracks, especially the sweetness of hearing her melodious voice caress his name sowarmly. He did not dare to face her, however, until he regained control of the emotions she had stirred.
    Behind him he heard the faint rustle of her footsteps in the grass and her voice drawing nearer. “You are convinced this marriage will make your brother unhappy. How can I not admire your loyalty and your willingness to take any action necessary to prevent him from making what you perceive as a mistake?”
    He had thought his opinion of Rebecca Beaton could scarcely improve. Now it rose to quite alarming heights. “That is an unusually magnanimous attitude. When I first entered Parliament, I knew men capable of pursuing their policies vigorously in the House, yet remaining on terms of warmest respect with those who opposed them most forcefully. I fear such fair-minded tolerance is dying out.”
    As he spoke, Sebastian slowly turned toward her, relieved by the assurance that he would not lose her esteem over their difference of opinion, no matter how great.
    If he’d been fool enough to doubt her sincerity for even a moment, the look in her eyes would have convinced him she meant every word. “It is easier to tolerate opposition when we understand and respect the motive behind it. I know you care about your brother at least as much as I do Hermione. I only wish I could persuade you what a good wife I am certain she will make for Mr. Stanhope. If I could, I trust a fair-minded man like you would withdraw your objections and give their engagement your blessing.”
    Her words gave Sebastian a promising idea.
    “You may be right, though I cannot conceive how you would change my opinion so completely.” Smiling down at Rebecca, he offered her his arm and they began to climb the brickwork path back up the hillside. “Is it possible the reverse might also hold true? If I could persuade you of allthe reasons I