“Have you not read it all, then?” Melody threw her head back and laughed the same laugh that called beaus to her side. “My poor, dear sister. I do look forward to Mama’s reaction when he comes to declare for you.”

A rap sounded on the front door, and Jane leapt half into the air. Melody cut off her remarks as Mr. Dunkirk was let in.

Jane’s heart spasmed. Beth must have taken a turn for the worse after she left. Before she had time to compose herself, Mr. Dunkirk bowed to Jane, then Melody. He held her pink shawl over his arm.

“Forgive my calling so close to the dinner hour. You left your shawl this afternoon, Miss Ellsworth, and Beth was concerned that you might miss it.”

“Thank you, Mr. Dunkirk. You need not have troubled yourself on my account, but your effort is much appreciated nonetheless. I had planned on calling tomorrow and could have fetched it home then.”

“Ah, but then you would have had two wraps, and that would have been awkward. Besides, it made my sister happy to think of doing good for someone else, even by my proxy.” His tone indicated to Jane that he would do anything to keep his sister’s spirits high.

Melody shook her head, smiling and artless. “That is splendid of you, Mr. Dunkirk. This is Jane’s favourite, you know, so you have done more good than you might realize. I gather your day was an eventful one, if it caused Jane to go about leaving her favourite shawl places?” Her tone, the way she tilted her head coquettishly to the side, all indicated that Melody had her opinion on what those events were and thought the shawl was the proof she needed. She could have no idea of the turmoil that teasing must produce in Mr. Dunkirk, or even in Jane. To Melody it must seem that the shades of red and white which Jane and Mr. Dunkirk turned could only mean that he had asked her that intimate question which every woman most wants to hear.

Jane rose to the occasion first, finding that there was a truth she could say without betraying the trust which both Mr. Dunkirk and Beth had placed in her. “It was eventful indeed, Melody. Beth and I redecorated her room, and it was too hot to wear the shawl during our efforts. I quite forgot it.”

“I should have recalled it,” Mr. Dunkirk said, “but their improvements were so charming that I was distracted.”

“I would find many things easy to forget in your presence, Mr. Dunkirk; I am surprized that Jane only left her shawl.”

Mr. Dunkirk cleared his throat. “I—I should return to my sister and leave you—I mean not overstay my welcome here.”

“Nonsense, you must stay for dinner.” Melody took his arm. “Mama will be devastated if you do not.”

“I should not like Beth to worry about me.”

“That is understandable,” Jane said. “Perhaps you both could join us tomorrow?”