At twilight, Luke was at home standing in front of a full-length mirror. He was having the usual difficulty, because of his stiff shoulder, in tying his neckcloth, but, for once, he was not swearing about it. He was in high spirits, even though he had not long ago had strong words with Jack.

‘I’ve done with the revels,’ Jack had announced on the ride back to change their clothes for the next round of events. ‘Think I’ll stay home tonight.’

‘You’ll do no such thing,’ Luke had said airily. ‘There’s the ceremony of lighting the bonfire and the ox roast still to come. Don’t be so prissy.’

‘Alicia needs to take things easy for the rest of the day. You’ve promised the servants they can go to the bonfire, I won’t have her staying on her own.’

‘Then one of the maids will have to stay with her. Not another word about it!’

There were two sharp raps on the bedroom door and someone came in with a soft rustle of skirts.

‘Corrie? Mrs Curnow – Amy?’ He swung round. ‘Oh, Alicia. What’s wrong? Why do you look so angry? Do this wretched neckcloth for me, please.’

Alicia advanced on him then remained quite still. ‘I’m here to take issue with you over the way you spoke to Jack earlier.’

Luke grinned broadly, letting the two fine embroidered ends of the cloth fall from his hands. ‘Well?’

‘It should be Jack’s decision whether he goes out again today.’

‘My dear Alicia, Jack is—’

‘Your friend,’ she arched her perfectly shaped brows, ‘or so you keep saying.’

Taking his time, Luke regarded her with pleasure. Resolute, coolly divine, flourishing like a rose at two-thirds through her pregnancy.

‘Your loyalty towards Jack is commendable, and how protective you’ve become of him. Do you now allow him all the rights of a husband?’

‘Do you wish to know about my and Jack’s private life as titillation because you have no one better at present in your bed than Amy Curnow? Granted, the cook is reasonable of face but she is, to say the least, most second rate. You need to grow up, Luke.’ She stepped forward swiftly and saw to his neckcloth, her eyes following his angry ones.

‘Now I understand some of Alex’s downcast moods. Until now, I thought your attributes to be only benevolent. You have a particular way of humiliating a man. So, Jack is not to accompany me. Quite right, if it’s what he wants. Don’t wait up for Cordelia and I, I’ll ensure she gets home safely.’

Alicia was holding out his dress coat and helped him shrug into it. ‘I didn’t come here to hurt your feelings, Luke. There are times when things need to be said, that’s all.’

Luke allowed her to arrange the lace-edged overflow of his handkerchief in a side pocket.