“With all due respect, Lady FitzCameron,” Jane said, “your nephew has been more than merely kind. He has promised to marry Miss Dunkirk.”

Captain Livingston’s voice came from a different spot, footsteps crunching in the dry grass. “Is that what she told you?”

“No, Captain Livingston. That is what I heard you say to her. Or have you forgotten your congress with her in your aunt’s dining room?”

Silence filled the darkness, and then, “I’m afraid that I do not know of what you speak.”

“I was in the room, Captain Livingston. I heard everything. Just as I heard you make the same promise last night to Melody.”

He laughed then, closer to her than before. His voice was a mix of desperation and mirth. “Your sister? And who else am I to have courted? As I am engaged to my cousin, Livia, it is difficult to imagine why I would pay court to one, let alone two other women. How do you account for it?”

“I cannot.” Jane’s memory returned to the maze, the words she had heard him exchange with Melody, and then to the means by which she had heard them. “But I would be happy to replay your conversation with Melody for you, if your memory needs refreshing.”

Lady FitzCameron inhaled sharply. “What do you mean by this?”

Jane turned toward the sound of the Viscountess’s voice. “I used a weave of Mr. Vincent’s design to listen to Melody and Captain Livingston; this weave records the conversation that occurs while it is active. It is tied off in our shrubbery at Long Parkmead.”

Captain Livingston suddenly seemed to have difficulty breathing. “That—that is not possible.”

Mr. Vincent spoke for the first time, his gruff voice shivering through the dark and down Jane’s spine. “I assure you that Miss Ellsworth is fully capable of doing just as she has claimed.”

“How do you answer now, Captain Livingston?” Hesitant footsteps sounded to Jane’s left as Mr. Dunkirk felt his way forward.

“I am curious when Miss Ellsworth had time to shew you this piece of glamour, as you have overtaken us so early in our journey.”

“There was no need to question Miss Ellsworth’s report of it,” Mr. Dunkirk said.

“I see. Has anyone seen it, or are you solely taking the word of Miss Ellsworth in these slanders?”

“Miss Ellsworth is entirely honourable. I trust her implicitly.”

“Indeed. Have you asked yourself what Miss Ellsworth believes she will accomplish by making these accusations on my character?”

Jane added her voice to the invisible conversation. “I hoped to convince Mr. Dunkirk to restrain himself from challenging you.”

“By laying out a case against me? I think it rather more likely that you have concocted this tale out of jealousy that I have never given you the notice you craved.” His angry voice sounded as if he were mere paces from her. “Shall I tell the people assembled here how you have pursued me? Shall I recount how you accosted me the very night Mr. Vincent succumbed?”