‘I’m sure I don’t look half as good as you did, Oliver,’ the younger Martin Beswetherick said. ‘I’m not as tall and straight as you are, but I do admit I’m proud to be wearing the uniform and to be following in yours and late Uncle Arthur’s footsteps.’ Pushing back the lock of light brown hair that had persisted in straying over his eyes all his life, Martin turned to his grandfather. ‘A very happy birthday to you, Grandpaps. This looks like it will be a grand celebration.’

‘We’ll give you one for your coming of age at the end of the year, Martin,’ the elderly baronet beamed indulgently. ‘Bigger and better than this if I have anything to do with it. A worthy grandson I have here, Oliver, and a worthy heir to the Beswetherick fortune after his father. Do you know, not one of the others of my large brood could be bothered to put in an appearance tonight. Well, damn me, who cares? If they can’t be bothered to come, I won’t have to send the stable boys to shovel up after their horses, eh? Mind you, we could really get things warmed up if that tiresome mother of yours would hurry up and show herself, Martin.’

Martin laughed. ‘I’ll dash up and escort her down myself, Grandpaps. Is Kerensa with her?’

‘She is,’ Oliver replied.

‘Wonderful! I can’t wait to see her again. She is sure to outshine all the other women here tonight as usual. I won’t allow you to claim all of the dances with her, Oliver,’ Martin rejoined.

‘You’ll have to keep an eye on that young man, he adores Kerensa,’ Sir Martin teased as his thin, wiry grandson bounded off to take the stairs in leaps, waving at his father and James Mortreath as he passed by them.

‘Well, Father,’ William Beswetherick said, rubbing his hands together when he finally made his impatient parent’s side. ‘I’m afraid it took us rather a long time to disengage ourselves from the Countess. Where has Martin gone in such a hurry?’

‘To fetch Rachael,’ his father told him peevishly. ‘Why didn’t she come down with you and Mortreath?’

‘I’m afraid she insisted I leave the bedchamber. She said she would be no longer than ten minutes and to leave her to get ready in peace. It was like taking my life into my hands up there, I can tell you.’ William smiled graciously at Oliver. ‘Ah, Oliver, allow me to introduce you to James Mortreath. James, Sir Oliver Pengarron.’