‘I’ll tell you all about our misfortunes on the morrow, Bea, I promise. And if you see my mama before I do, I forbid you to say anything to her. You’ve no excuse, you’re sober for once.’

‘Damned cheek!’ Beatrice hid her hurt by twisting up her ugly face and pointing an accusing finger. ‘Goodness sake! When ’ave I ever spoke out of turn, eh? Tension enough in the ’ouse as tes. Youm only goin’ to add to it.’

‘What’s the matter?’ Luke demanded.

‘Find out fer yerself.’

Luke and Jack exchanged wry looks. Beatrice hesitated. Luke and Jack had always been on close terms but this new affinity suggested something deeper, deeds done and secrets shared.

Luke went to the door, opened it for Beatrice, then lowered his head to kiss her on the cheek when she got there. Pacified, for in all probability Luke would confide in her more than in his parents, she shuffled off down the corridor, muttering to herself.

Jack looked down at Alicia. Her eyes, glittering like huge dark gems in the firelight, betrayed perplexity and anxiety. For much of their long journey, made arduous by their aches and pains and need for secrecy, she had slept or had longed for sleep. Luke had seen fit to drug her against hysterics for the first part of the way. He had done this against Jack’s protests. Had he known Alicia as well as Jack did he would not have used this resort.

Alicia, or Sophia Glanville, as he had known her for many months, was strong and brave, intelligent and resourceful. And tender-hearted, kind and friendly, and a good and willing listener. Jack had fallen in love with her some time ago.

He crouched down beside her, tucking the blankets around her more securely. ‘Don’t worry about Beatrice, she likes a bit of trouble but she’s completely harmless.’

Alicia grasped his hand tightly and, because it was her touching him, he did not feel the sting of his burns. ‘Are you sure she’s not a witch? She looked straight into me. She’ll know.’

‘You must forget all that superstitious nonsense,’ Luke said forcefully but not unkindly, ‘Forget everything that fortune-telling wretch at the countess’s private theatre show ever told you. She was an actress after all, and a charlatan. Anyway, are we all not very much alive? And who can hurt you now? You are under my protection and Jack will constantly be at your side.’

‘I’ll get you some broth,’ Jack said gently. ‘You’ll feel better when you’ve eaten.’ Patiently, wanting only to see her sit up straight and be as composed as he’d known her before, he helped her consume half of the bowl’s contents and take a few sips of wine. Refusing the glass Luke offered him, he swore privately never to betray his convictions again.