‘He was injured and sent home back in January,’ said Fenshaw. ‘He wrote to tell me of the conditions there. It seems he was lucky to have survived most of the winter, when many others did not.’

‘You have a funny notion of luck to think that any man who experienced that winter was in any way fortunate.’

‘Yes, I suppose so,’ Fenshaw replied quietly.‘Especially since he succumbed to his wounds only a week after writing to me.’

‘Ah . . .’ Arthur bowed his head. ‘Forgive me, Captain. I did not mean to seem flippant.’

‘I am sure of it, sir.You know well enough what my brother endured.’ Fenshaw turned to Kitty. ‘Allow me to fetch some drinks while you and the colonel exchange your news.’

Kitty nodded gracefully and the naval officer turned away, gliding through the crowd with a surprising grace given his imposing physique. Kitty stared after him with a calculating expression.

‘What do you think of him, Arthur?’

For a moment Arthur said nothing. He hardly knew the man, but Fenshaw seemed decent enough at first glance. It would be a great shame if he should prove to be a rival for Kitty’s affection. ‘I’ve only just met him, Kitty. What can I say?’

‘That he has a handsome appearance.’

‘I suppose so. Any other qualities that I should be aware of ?’

‘Oh yes!’ She turned towards Arthur with a glint in her eyes. ‘He is the nephew of a rear admiral, and is in line to inherit a sizeable estate in Somerset, as well as a large holding of six per cents. He studied classics at Oxford and writes poetry.’

‘Poetry?’ Arthur glanced across the room to where Fenshaw had turned to make his way back to them, with three glasses between his hands. ‘Really?’

‘Oh, yes! Quite the romantic.’

The enthusiasm in her voice cut into Arthur’s heart like a knife and he took her hand in his.

‘What is it, Arthur?’ Kitty frowned.

‘Tell me, Kitty. What is this man to you?’

‘A friend, for now. His family have some land to sell near Castlepollard and Charles has come to Dublin to arrange the sale. My uncle provided him with an introduction to my brother.Tom thought that I might show him the sights in Dublin. Since then, we’ve become quite attached. Tom likes him too.’

‘I bet he does,’ Arthur muttered. ‘He would be quite a catch for you.’

‘Yes he would,’ Kitty replied, and then squeezed Arthur’s hand lightly. ‘But he is not you. Did you think I would abandon you so readily,Arthur? I had hoped you would have more faith in me.’

‘Oh, Kitty . . .’ Arthur’s despair was swept away and he made to move closer to her, but she backed away and slipped her hand free of his.

‘All the same, he is a good catch. Good enough to please Tom.’

Arthur shook his head. ‘Don’t do this, Kitty.’