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at all a comfortable companion. And the memory of her laughing face as she spoke to Tom still rather piqued him, if truth be told. Few ladies were so transparently impervious to his charms and none had ever before shown herself to be actually bored by his conversation.
    Beatrice stifled a sigh as they turned back toward the house. “It seems a pity to stay indoors on such a lovely day.” Forgetting her London manners, she walked back with what could only be described as a stride.
    Justin noticed that she turned at the door to look back longingly at the sunny sky. She clearly meant what she said about wishing to be outdoors. She was, he decided as he watched her, the most puzzling lady he had ever met.
    * * * *
    Indoors, they found Johanna waiting for them alone, her eyes still crinkled in amusement.
    “Has the battle been won?” asked Justin lightly.
    Beatrice frowned to hear him talk so flippantly about something as serious as a quarrel between husband and wife.
    “It has indeed. The combatants are indulging in a touching reconciliation at this very moment.”
    “And who won the engagement?”
    “Who do you think?” she countered.
    “Jennice, of course. I’d back her any day.” There was a tinge of scorn to his voice. That was what you got for marrying. A wife who wheedled and wept, doing anything to get her own way. He had seen it happen all too many times.
    Johanna inclined her head. “Correct! Jennice is to stay in town with me for a month or two before returning to Lymsby. Boris will join us here from time to time.”
    Beatrice occupied herself with her food as the other two joked about the Newthorpes. Would she ever grow used to the way members of the ton poked fun at serious things? If she were expecting a baby, the last place she’d want to come to would be London and the last thing she’d wish would be to run away from her husband. She indulged herself briefly in a little fantasy of a home and family of her own - and why Mr Serle’s face should figure in that fantasy, she couldn’t understand. As if she’d want to marry a man as fashionable and uncaring as him - however attractive he was - and you couldn’t deny that he was attractive! Even Jennice responded to his charm.
    “And did you two enjoy your walk?” Johanna asked, intrigued to find out how Justin, who usually bestowed his attentions only upon spirited ladies of dashing habits, had coped with a quiet, serious-minded companion.
    “Very much!” he said automatically, inclining his head toward Miss Dencey.
    “Beatrice?” Johanna asked, for her cousin was avoiding her eyes.
    “Oh, the gardens are very pleasant, Johanna, and it was very - um, kind of Mr Serle to escort me. Though I have to admit that I prefer real walks in the countryside. One is so restricted in the town.”
    Johanna raised her eyebrows in surprise at this lukewarm statement. “You’ll have to grow used to taking the air in such a way, I’m afraid, my dear,” she said. “I’m not one for long walks myself, and certainly not brisk ones. I much prefer shopping.” Her grin at Justin showed him just how amused she was by his failure to charm the lady.
    He responded with the tiniest of shrugs.
    Beatrice, who hadn’t noticed the interchange, kept her mouth resolutely closed on the truthful comment she would have liked to make. “Shopping can be very pleasant, too,” she muttered, unable to think of a better response without telling an outright lie.
    Once Justin had taken his leave, Johanna asked curiously, “Did you not enjoy his company?”
    “Whose?”
    “Whose do you think? Serle’s, of course!”
    “It was kind of him to take me away from the quarrel. I’m not - not used to such things.”
    “Serle is accounted very good company by most young ladies, not to mention being thought handsome. Why, he’s one of the most sought-after bachelors in town! Now, he would make a very proper match for you or Eleanor.”
    Beatrice didn’t like to see everyone fawning