“We’re speaking of marriage,” says Janey, daring me to disagree.

“Not of our marriages,” I say hastily. “I have no interest in marriage.”

“Oh, how cruel!” Ned says with a wink. “There will be many broken hearts at court if you live and die a virgin.”

I giggle and blush and can think of nothing to say.

“Of course she must marry,” Janey says. “And someone of the best family. But who? What d’you think, Ned?”

“A Spanish prince?” he asks. “Isn’t the Spanish ambassador your great admirer? A French milord? Surely, a girl like Lady Katherine Grey, so close to the throne, so beautiful, can look as high as she likes?”

“Really!” I say, trying to look modest but completely thrilled by this improper conversation. “It is for my friends and family to decide.”

“Oh, not a Spaniard! She doesn’t want to go away to Spain,” Janey says airily. “I can’t let her go. She must have a handsome Englishman, of course.”

“I don’t know even one,” Ned asserts. “No one handsome enough. I wouldn’t know where to begin. All my friends are plain as bullocks, and I—” He breaks off and looks directly at me. “You wouldn’t consider me? I am wonderfully well connected.”

I can feel the color rising in my cheeks. “I... I...”

“What a question!” Janey clears the little catch in her throat. “Are you proposing marriage, Ned? Beware, for I am a witness!”

“In the absence of anyone worthy...” His eyes are on my burning cheeks, on my mouth. I almost think that he might lean forward and kiss me, he is so close and his gaze is so intimate.

“You speak in jest,” I manage to whisper.

“Only if you like the jest,” he replies.

“Of course she likes it!” Janey says. “What girl does not like a joke about love?”

“Shall I write you a poem?” he asks me.

He is a wonderful poet; if he were to write a poem about me, I would be famous just for that. I really think that I will faint from the heat in my face and the pounding in my ears. I can’t look away from his warm, smiling eyes, and he goes on staring at my mouth as if he would lean forward, closer and closer to a kiss.

“Have you been hunting?” I ask at random. “How is the horse?”

How is the horse? I was embarrassed before; now I wish I could simply die. It is as if I can think of nothing to say but nonsense, as if my lips want to betray me to him, to assure him that I can think of nothing when he is so close. Janey looks at me with a mystified gaze, and Ned laughs shortly, as if he understands completely the whirl of foolishness that I am in. Lazily, he gets to his feet.