Jane stood before the mirror in her room, attempting to find the most pleasing arrangement of the pale pink blossoms with which her father had gifted her. Left alone for a moment as her mother and sister fussed over their toilet in the next room, Jane indulged in something which she had never before considered.

She worked a small glamour on herself.

It was a tiny thing, but she was suddenly struck by a curiosity as to what her face would look like if her nose were not quite so long. By twists and turns, she gave her nose an appearance more suited to her face. Her breath quickened only a little as she turned her head to examine the glamour, while keeping tight control over the strings holding the folds in place over her nose. Without its prominence, her eyes seemed softer. Her chin, though still sharp, no longer seemed ready to pinch someone.

The sudden reappearance of Melody made Jane drop the folds hastily.

“Jane! What are you doing?”

She colored and busied herself with the roses. “Merely amusing myself.”

“I saw.” Melody crossed the room. “Do it again.”

“No. I was only playing to pass the time.”

It was apparent that Melody did not believe her. “Well. You should consider playing more often.”

The casual cruelty of Melody’s statement almost undid Jane. She turned her head away to hide the sudden burn of tears, but Melody saw her upset nonetheless. “Oh, Jane, no. Forgive me. I only meant that you are so clever, and, well, if Miss FitzCameron does it, surely there can be no harm. Is it so much different from chusing a dress which is flattering, or a hairstyle which makes one’s neck look longer?”

For a moment Jane let herself be lured by Melody’s words. Who would it harm, save her own health? But her conscience scratched at the thought. “Imagine if I did attach a man who believed me to have a shorter nose. Imagine then the day when I must let the glamour drop. He would be more appalled by the sudden change in my appearance than if he had become used to me over time.” She shook her head to push the temptation away. “I will not do it again. It was only a passing fancy.”

Melody watched her with narrowed eyes, measuring what she had said. “I sometimes wish, for your sake, that you were not so nice with your opinions.”

Mrs. Ellsworth bustled in before Jane could reply. The chill between Melody and Jane went unnoticed by their mother, who was too concerned with the placement of her roses. Once she was happy with it, they descended to the carriage and thence to Banbree Manor.

Lady FitzCameron was known to pride herself on the elegance of her table, but took no joy from entertaining. On the occasions when the Ellsworths had been invited to sup with her, she had always received them with the utmost grace, yet remained reserved in attitude. She knew her duty to her neighbours and paid attention to them gladly, but it went no deeper than that: she seemed to care only for her own. However, her attentions to Captain Livingston were gracious to the point of being solicitous, which made Jane wonder if Lady FitzCameron might still have thoughts of arranging a match between Miss FitzCameron and the young captain.