Courting Miss Vallois. Gail Whitiker

Black Swan Inn. He and another gentleman were there the evening we landed.’

      Sophie had purposely made no mention of the events that had taken place at the inn. Nicholas would have been furious that his arrangements had fallen through, and Lavinia would have been horrified at the thought of a lovers’ quarrel erupting into gunfire in the courtyard. But with Mr Silverton in the room and the prospect of an encounter likely, Sophie thought it best to mention that the two of them had spoken. ‘I would not have thought them brother and sister. The resemblance is not strong.’

      ‘No. Robert tends to follow his father’s side while Jane gets her fair hair and delicate colouring from her mother’s. But they come from a very good family. Their father was knighted for services to the Crown, and their mother was the youngest daughter of a baronet,’ Lavinia said. ‘Sadly, their deaths kept Robert and Jane out of society for many years.’

      ‘Neither of them is married?’

      ‘No. Jane was injured in a carriage accident as a child and does not go about much. You see how she limps. As for Mr Silverton, I regret to say he is out of favour with society at the moment.’

      Sophie frowned. ‘Out of favour?’

      Lavinia glanced around, and then lowered her voice. ‘About six weeks ago, Mr Silverton asked a young lady to marry him. She accepted and wedding plans got underway. Then, a few weeks later, he broke it off without a word of explanation to anyone. Naturally the lady was terribly upset and said some very harsh things about him in public. After all, it’s one thing for a lady to change her mind, but quite another for a gentleman. As a result, no self-respecting mother will allow her daughter anywhere near Mr Silverton, and many doors have been closed in his face. I’m surprised he’s here tonight.’

      Sophie watched the good-looking brother and sister move through the crowd and noticed that while some of the guests offered them a reserved smile, others ignored them completely. ‘It seems a very harsh treatment,’ she said. ‘He must have had a good reason for breaking the engagement off.’

      ‘I’m sure he did,’ Lavinia agreed. ‘But a gentleman simply doesn’t do things like that. And the fact he won’t say why he did it has hurt him irreparably. Lady Mary is telling her own version of the story and it is not kind. Even Jane has suffered for it.’

      Sophie switched her attention to the sister. A truly lovely young woman, Jane Silverton stood a good head shorter than her brother and looked to be fairly delicate. And though the smile on her lips was cheery, the paleness of her cheeks told another story. ‘I should like to meet her. I think it’s cruel that she be shunned for something her brother did.’

      ‘That’s very kind of you, dear.’

      ‘I just try to put myself in her place,’ Sophie said, for in truth, she had been in Jane Silverton’s place once, though not for the same reasons. ‘And you should know that while Mr Silverton and I did have a conversation that night, we were not formally introduced. He may not even remember who I am.’

      ‘Well, he’ll remember you after tonight,’ Lavinia said, discreetly raising her hand to attract the couple’s attention. ‘Madame Delors surpassed even my expectations with that gown. You are easily one of the most beautiful women in the room.’

      While Sophie took leave to disagree with the latter part of Lavinia’s statement, she couldn’t deny that the gown of cream-coloured lace over a gold satin slip was the most glorious thing she had ever seen. Cut outrageously low in the front, it displayed a rather alarming amount of skin—which had prompted her to stitch a wide band of lace inset with pearls and tiny satin roses into the neckline—and from a raised waist, the skirt fell in elegant folds to the floor. Delicate slippers of soft kid leather, cream-coloured elbow-length gloves, and a spray of cream-and-pink roses in her hair put the finishing touches on what Sophie could only think to call a truly magnificent ensemble.

      Even so, she doubted it would be enough to thaw Mr Silverton’s chilly reserve.

      ‘Mr Silverton, Jane, how lovely to see you again,’ Lavinia said when the pair finally managed to reach them. ‘Allow me to introduce a very dear friend of mine, Miss Sophie Vallois. Sophie, this is Miss Jane Silverton and her brother, Mr Robert Silverton.’

      ‘How lovely to meet you, Miss Vallois,’ Jane said. ‘Or should I say, enchantée?’

      The girl’s voice was as delightful as her sparkling green eyes and Sophie found it hard to believe that any gentleman would find her lacking. ‘How do you do, Miss Silverton,’ she replied, before adding more diffidently to her brother, ‘Mr Silverton.’

      ‘Miss Vallois.’ He briefly inclined his head. ‘We meet again.’

      So, he wasn’t about to pretend ignorance of their first encounter. She awarded him a point for honesty. ‘I didn’t think you would remember.’

      His deep brown eyes were steady on hers. ‘On the contrary, I am unlikely to forget.’

      ‘Sophie informs me the two of you met at the Black Swan Inn,’ Lavinia said.

      ‘Saying we met would not be entirely correct,’ Mr Silverton said. ‘We were brought together by circumstances less than conducive to pleasant socialising and parted soon after.’

      ‘Then how fortunate you should both end up here tonight in order that the formalities might be observed.’

      The gentleman inclined his head. ‘As you say.’

      ‘Is your husband not with you this evening, Lady Longworth?’ Miss Silverton asked.

      ‘Yes, but he and Sophie’s brother just left to play billiards with Lord Bruxton. Apparently they are all quite mad for the game.’

      ‘Your brother plays billiards?’ Mr Silverton asked Sophie in surprise.

      ‘When he has a chance, yes.’

      ‘I thought the study of medicine was an all-consuming passion.’

      Sophie raised her eyes to his, daring him to disagree. ‘A man must take some time away from his studies, lest he become too weary to absorb anything new. Even God rested on the seventh day.’

      Was that a hint of a smile? ‘A lofty comparison.’

      ‘But fitting under the circumstances. I admire anyone who has the determination to strive for something they truly believe in.’

      ‘And I have always been impressed by people who choose to help others in such a way,’ Jane spoke up. ‘But tell me, how did the four of you meet?’

      ‘Through my husband,’ Lavinia said easily. ‘Nicholas and Antoine met in France several years ago, and we finally persuaded him to come to London and to bring Sophie with him. Unfortunately, Antoine must shortly return home, but Sophie is to stay with us until the end of the Season.’

      ‘Oh, how wonderful!’ Jane said happily. ‘Then you must pay us a visit while you are here, Miss Vallois. We will have petit fours, and speak French, and you can tell me all about the latest fashions from Paris. J’adore la mode française. Have you seen much of London?’

      ‘Not yet.’

      ‘Then why not join us tomorrow afternoon? Robert has promised to take me for a drive around Hyde Park. It would be lovely if you and your brother could come too.’

      It was an unexpectedly kind offer and one Sophie would have been happy to accept—had she not caught sight of the expression on Mr Silverton’s face. Obviously he did not share his sister’s enthusiasm for the outing and saw no reason to pretend he did. ‘Perhaps another time,’ she said. ‘I have no wish to intrude.’

      ‘Oh, but you wouldn’t be intruding,’ Jane said. ‘My brother is always delighted to have friends come along. Aren’t you, Robert?’

      ‘Of course. I merely thought it too soon after Miss Vallois’s arrival for such an outing. She might wish to