Jane clung to the wall, at a loss for what to do. She had not been intended to overhear this conversation, but was it worse to explain her presence, or conceal it? It was clear that Beth and Captain Livingston had an engagement, but what sort of engagement was this that required secrecy and, worse yet, flirtation with others to conceal?

Standing alone in the middle of the forest glade, Beth seemed as fragile as a deer. Jane could not stand the thought of seeing her on the morrow and pretending that she knew nothing of this odd engagement. It was best to reveal herself at once.

Thankful that the girl’s back was to her, Jane released the folds which tied her bubble of safety in place. “Beth?”

As if a hunter’s shot had resounded, Beth leapt and spun, her eyes wide and staring. “Oh! Jane! I did not hear you enter. Heavens, you gave me such a fright. I have come to look at Mr. Vincent’s fine work once again. I find it quite entrancing.” Her face slowly changed as she looked around at the trees and grasses in the great room and came to the realization that there were no other doors visible. “But where did you come from?”

Jane faltered, even before she began to speak. Her mouth would not form the words.

Beth frowned. “Are you quite well?”

Swallowing, Jane tried again. If she could make Beth understand that she had not intentionally eavesdropped, then perhaps her intrusion would be more readily forgiven. “I had a small upset earlier and came here to collect myself.”

Before she could continue, Beth had crossed the space between them, all solicitousness. “Oh, you poor thing. Do tell me, if you may, what has upset you.”

Jane waved her hand to brush that aside; her own embarrassment did not matter in this conversation, save that it caused her to be in place to overhear the lovers. “It does not matter, so much; simply know that I had been somewhat upset, and took refuge in the—”

“No. No. You may not tell me that someone upset you without telling me who and how.”

“But it does not matter.”

“It matters to me.” Beth took Jane’s hands in her own. “Dear Jane, what upset you? Tell me that, and then you may continue with your story.”

Knowing that she would get no farther with Beth until she satisfied the girl’s curiosity, Jane conceded. “I went to look at the glamural again, and as I was returning to the drawing room, I heard a group of men standing together. One of them made a comment which—”

“What did they say?”

Even now, the words were still burned into her mind. “ ‘Plain Jane? I should judge her fortunate if she were only plain.’ ” Jane faltered for a moment, angry at herself that the words should still carry any power.

A vein pulsed at Beth’s temple. “Who said this?”

“I did not see the speaker.” True, though she had recognized Mr. Buffington’s voice; but she did not want Beth to be distracted by such a small injury. “It is not important now. What is important is that I went to calm myself in the dining room, and—”