To contrast the dinner at the Vincents’ home with that at Carlton House would be distinctly unfair, and yet the comparison was unavoidable in Jane’s mind. With only her parents, her sister Melody, and Vincent present, they made an intimate company, which was fortunate, as the rooms they had let were insufficient for dining with more than eight. Though neatly furnished, it was with the dark wood that had been stylish in Jane’s childhood, and lent a material weight to the rooms, which not even glamour and candles could quite dispel. The chief feature, and the reason they had chosen the rooms, was that they backed onto a park shared by Carlton House. The Prince Regent had offered to have them in residence, but the Vincents, being newly-weds, had chosen the modicum of privacy which separate rooms allowed.

Jane’s family had arrived in London on the Thursday prior, but aside from one brief morning visit, there had not been sufficient time for company while engaged in preparations for the fête. Jane had briefly seen them among the press of guests, but her attention had been too distracted for her to do more than smile.

The first course of dinner was taken up with her mother exclaiming about the spectacle and pondering the worth of the plate on display. That accomplished, they began at once to catch her up on the news of the neighbourhood. The Dunkirks were not in residence, and rumour had it that Mr. Dunkirk planned on letting Robinsford Abbey. Banbree Manor had a tenant already, a general and his family, who were respectable but without any eligible sons.

During her mother’s recital, Melody pushed her roast lamb across the plate, as if focusing on that could take her away from the table. Mr. Ellsworth watched her, rubbing his chin, and cleared his throat to change the subject. ‘That is all well and good, but I want to hear what Jane has been doing.’

Jane’s account of their work drew Melody’s attention back to the room. Jane could now see that her sister was still paler than she ought to have been after the unfortunate events of the previous autumn. She made a note to take Melody aside and hear how she had fared while Jane was away.

‘Well . . . you have seen the most of it. We do have some important news, though.’ Jane looked to the foot of the table for support. Vincent smiled at her, but seemed more than willing to let her explain their plans. ‘We are going to a town near Brussels to spend time with a colleague of Vincent’s. It is a tremendous opportunity.’