Page 141 of The Fortunes of Ashmore Castle

‘Yes. They’re my uncle’s neighbours, and friends of our cousins, the Tullamores.’

‘Ah, yes. We saw them, too. Everyone knows everyone else down there: Scotland’s a small place. Your sister seemed to be having a tremendous time,’ he went on, giving her a curious look.

‘She loves dancing and parties,’ Alice said.

‘You disapprove?’ Alice shook her head without answering, not wishing to expose family secrets. ‘She’s a very beautiful girl, your sister,’ he went on thoughtfully. ‘My brother certainly thought so, at any rate.’

‘Your brother?’

‘Jervis. They danced together in several houses – whenever we happened to meet at a ball.’

‘She was flirting?’

‘Oh, now – well – I wouldn’t go so far as to say that. Such a harsh word. It’s natural for a beautiful young woman to want to enjoy herself. Quite harmless, really.’

‘You know that she’s engaged.’ It wasn’t a question. He bowed slightly in acknowledgement. ‘Does your brother know?’

He hesitated. Then he said, ‘There is something especially delightful about an engaged woman. Her anxieties are all behind her, she is able to relax in male company and be herself. So much more pleasing than the buttoned-up, fearful, daren’t-open-her-lips caution of the unattached female.’

‘Pleasing,’ Alice said.

‘Fun,’ he said.

They walked on in silence, and came out onto another, grander staircase where, immediately opposite and in full splendour, was the immense copy of the Holbein Henry VIII. ‘Voilà, mademoiselle,’ Bentham said, with a flourish. ‘Le roi vous attend.’

Alice looked at it in silence for a moment. ‘It’s much bigger than I expected.’

‘Large as life and twice as ugly. How could a man with a face like that persuade six different women to marry him?’

‘He was the king,’ Alice pointed out.

‘Yes, well, as a younger son myself, I don’t enjoy the idea that it all hinges on position.’

‘And money,’ Alice said.

‘Indeed.’ He flicked a glance at her. ‘I hope it was only flirting,’ he said quietly, his bantering tone absent. ‘I know Jervis, and that’s all it was for him. He’s not serious.’

‘Did you think she was?’

He paused, thinking. ‘Sometimes it seemed as though she might be wanting something more from him. I hope I was wrong. My brother has a very clear notion of his own worth.’

Alice was offended. ‘My sister is an earl’s daughter,’ she said.

‘And beautiful but – forgive me – rumour says . . . Your father’s financial woes are known about. It’s said she has no dowry.’

‘And that’s all that matters,’ Alice said flatly, looking at him.

‘Not to me,’ he said gently. ‘Being a younger son has the virtues of its defects. Thrust out into the world like an unwanted pup to fend for myself, I can admire where I will.’ She was staring at the Holbein again, but not as if she was seeing it. ‘I mentioned it only so that you could put her on her guard, if you believe she has any expectations of the situation.’ He examined her expression. ‘I had no wish to offend you.’

‘You haven’t offended me,’ she said absently. She would have to try to talk to Rachel, but whether she was just enjoying the last burst of pre-marital freedom, or whether she really was hoping to exchange for a better husband, she would not heed anything Alice said.

She sighed and changed the subject firmly. ‘It’s a pity it’s hung over the stairs like that. I won’t be able to get up close to study it.’

‘I stand rebuked,’ he said meekly.

‘No, not at all,’ she said.

They turned back towards the door.