‘You’re not responsible for my conscience, Luke, and I enjoyed many a day in the capital. You didn’t talk me into anything, I wanted the adventure. And we promised her ladyship t’ look after each other.’ Jack’s thoughts drifted. ‘She’s going to ask questions, and so is Sir Oliver.’

‘I know, I know. Stop worrying. They can’t do anything to us, we’re grown men, for God’s sake! It’s vital we keep to our story, Jack.’ Tension made Luke’s stiff shoulder ache. He wheeled it as much as the disability allowed, and rubbed it near the collar bone.

‘I’m not about to forget a thing. A nobleman and all his servants are dead. Butchered.’ Jack’s eyes, nearly as dark, and equally as drawn and under-shadowed as Luke’s, gravely indicated the poky, bleak bedroom directly above them, and he shuddered, dropping his voice even lower. ‘And Sophia was left to burn alive. We should never’ve got involved with those people.’

‘It was I who got involved with them, not you. The fact is Sophia’s alive and practically unscathed. As for… he knew he had a death sentence over him, and of his own making. I warned him not to make threats against those particular gentlemen. It’s terrible about the others, but all we can do now is put it behind us. And Sophia must never forget to use her real name, Alicia, from now on.’

‘She won’t. We both have a new name,’ Jack said sombrely, wiping sweat off the back of his neck and gulping down the last of his beer.

Leaning forward Luke touched the arm of the servant, some fourteen years older than he, who had helped him learn to ride as a boy, and was now his confidante. ‘You are pleased about that? History has it that you were only a thieving urchin, with nothing save a first name when my father gave you a home and employment. Now you have a legal identity. Does Jack Rosevear not suit you?’

‘That part suits me.’

‘Damn it, Jack.’ Luke shifted uncomfortably. ‘You’re what, thirty-six? Have you never wanted a wife, children, the regular comforts of a woman?’

‘Not this way.’ Jack massaged his tired eyes.

‘I’m sorry about that but there was nothing else to be done. We both swore to Lord Longbourne that if anything untoward happened to him we’d protect her. The lady is with child, and she has nothing and no one except for the two of us. I couldn’t marry her myself, any wife I take would be noted in high society and it might soon be realized who she really was. Granted, you’re worlds apart, but so were my parents and their marriage became successful, you’ll not find a happier couple.’

‘There’s no comparison with my arranged marriage, Luke.’