“I am troubled, Papa.”

“That I can well see.” He pulled a twig of yew from her hair before settling behind his desk. “What is troubling you, my dear? Your mother was half beside herself with worry when you did not descend to see them off. I assured her that you were in good health, but now I wonder if I was quite right to do so. Am I mistaken that this is the gown you wore yesterday?”

Jane glanced down at the damp and dirty fabric. “It is, sir.”

“And did you spend the night out-of-doors, as it appears?”

“I—I did.” Jane twisted her hands in her lap. “It is because of this that I need to speak with you on a subject of some delicacy.”

“Hm.” A vein pulsed in her father’s forehead, and he rose to his feet, turning around the room. “I must say that I thought better of him than this. And of you, for that matter.”

“I beg your pardon?”

“Well, what is a father to think? You were absent for nearly all of dinner, though you sat with us. There was a look in your eye which I have not seen before. I wondered—and you might think that I am too old to notice such things—but I wondered if a certain gentleman would be calling on me soon. I thought I should be delighted if he did, but then to have you appear before me as if you had spent the night out-of-doors, and with a delicate subject to discuss? What would you have me think?”

Jane blushed and stammered. “No, sir. You are mistaken, though I apologize for concerning you thus. I assure you it is not on my account that I come to you.”

“Well then, what troubles you?” He hooked his fingers in his waistcoat and peered down his nose at her.

Now, faced with the prospect of explaining her fears about Melody, Jane felt all the apprehension that came with imparting unhappy news to one’s parent. Her throat tightened against the words that she must say. She wished that she had ordered her thoughts before seeking her father in the study.

“I am worried about Melody,” she said, starting with the simplest of the facts, knowing that she would have to proceed to overheard conversations and speculation before long.

“Melody?” That checked his pacing. He sat. “She has been somewhat downcast in the past weeks, as have we all, but I had reason to hope that the removal to Bath would do much to restore her spirits. Indeed, I think I have seen a brightening over the past days.”

“It is precisely the removal to Bath which concerns me.” Avoiding her father’s gaze, Jane continued. “Some weeks ago Melody intimated that she had an attachment to a gentleman, which I now know to be Captain Livingston.”

“He has paid her attentions while at the house, but I was not certain. Well, their time in Bath will do nothing but cement the bond.”