“Did you enjoy the ball last evening?”

Harmonia threw a sidelong glance over towards Amelia as they walked through the park, wondering how much to give away. “I was enjoying myself until Luke…”

Amelia sighed as Harmonia struggled to find the words to explain his behavior last night.

“Luke acted rather possessive, did he not?”

“Yes, that is it precisely,” Harmonia agreed, with a small shake of her head. “He seems to think that I belong to him when, all the while, I have been doing all I can to dissuade him.”

Amelia grimaced. “Maybe I should say something to him.”

Harmonia shook her head. “I do not think he would so much as listen.” Frowning, she paused in her walk and looked over at her sister. “You do not think he would go to papa directly, do you? As I said, papa is now quite eager for me to wed and I know he has a fondness for Luke.”

Her sister did immediately answer, making Harmonia’s worry rise even further.

“I do not know what Luke will do in order to get what he wants,” Amelia replied, eventually. “But you should perhaps speak to papa before Luke has the chance, just in case you are right to be as worried as you are. I can go with you, if you wish.”

Harmonia nodded slowly, her stomach tightening. “I may take you up on that offer, Amelia. I am concerned that Luke is determined to have me as his wife – but I am equally determined to refuse him. I do not think that he expects me to be so stubborn, however. I think he believes that he can bend me to his will in time.”

“Then you shall just have to make yourself more than clear over and over until he finally backs away,” Amelia declared, now appearing a little cross over Luke’s behavior. “Why that man has been intent on pursuing you, I shall never understand.” Throwing a quick look over at Harmonia, Amelia tried to smile. “Not that you are not worth pursing, Harmonia, but not by a man who has been told repeatedly that you are not interested in furthering your acquaintance with him. He is as stubborn as a mule!” She tossed her head and began to walk again, muttering to herself.

Harmonia smiled to herself and continued to walk alongside her sister, her anxiety slowly fading away. She knew that Amelia would stick by her and was truly grateful for her company, especially when it came to matters of the heart. Amelia had been through a difficult time herself before she found Lord Northfell and she appreciated her determination to ensure that Harmonia was, in no way, to be tied to Luke.

“Might I ask, was your attention caught by anyone else at the ball last evening?” Amelia asked, after a few minutes of silence. “You were introduced to a great many people, I know, but was there anyone in particular you might wish to know more about?”

Immediately, the image of the blue-eyed gentleman threw itself into Harmonia’s mind and she felt her face blush with just the thought of him. Knowing that she could be entirely honest with Amelia, Harmonia told her about the man in question.

“I was actually wondering if you knew a certain gentleman’s name,” she began, as Amelia lifted one eyebrow in anticipation. “The only reason I am asking is because I was in the middle of conversation with him – a bit of a strange conversation since neither of us had been introduced – but we were about to give one another our names and titles when Luke came to take me for the next dance.”

Amelia pursed her lips, thinking hard. “He was in the group with us?”

“Yes, he was,” Harmonia replied, her heart quickening just a little as she thought of him. “He had the bluest eyes I have ever seen and very dark hair. He was tall, even taller than Luke, and yet gave all the appearances of gentleness. I know it was most improper to be talking in such an easy manner without being introduced, but there was no-one able to do so and I did very much want to talk to him.”

Amelia laughed, looping her arm through her sister’s. “You need not worry about that, Harmonia, certainly not for my sake. Convention has to be ignored sometimes, particularly at a ball! The man you are describing is, I think, the new Earl of Newford. He is only recently arrived in town, I think. I am quite sure we will see him again very soon at some ball or another.” She gave Harmonia a sidelong glance, her eyes filled with interest. “Do you think you might like to know him better?”

“I do,” Harmonia replied, honestly. “He seemed like a pleasant fellow and I do think I would like to know him a little more.”

“Then I shall do all I can to do just that,” Amelia declared, squeezing Harmonia’s arm. “I do not know anything about the man myself, but we shall both find out more about him. And I am glad there is someone that has caught your attention, for it shall be another way to try and dissuade Luke.”

“Luke is….” The words died on Harmonia’s lips as a sudden shout caught her ears. Coming to a complete stop, she looked over at Amelia who was frowning heavily, her eyes narrowing as she looked out across the park.

“Is that Luke?” she whispered, her heart squeezing with dread. “I really do not wish to see him.” The memory of how he had behaved only yesterday still clung to her mind, her dislike rolling up through her.

“Then go for a walk on your own,” Amelia replied, with a quick smile. “I shall meet you back at the entrance to the park, shall I? I can try and distract Luke for you – although I will not guarantee that I shall be successful. It may be that he has already seen you.”

Harmonia rushed away at once, her heart slamming into her chest with such force that she struggled to catch her breath. She did not want to see Luke, not now. His persistence continued to grate on her, her distress over his behavior only yesterday evening still upsetting her greatly. He had been rude, overbearing and possessive – and she did not so much as want to speak to him today.

The trees, she hoped, would hide her and, glancing over her shoulder, she saw Luke approaching Amelia, gesticulating over – most likely – where Harmonia had got to. Not looking where she was going, she managed to run almost directly into the path of an oncoming rider. On hearing the shout of the man on horseback, she looked up and instantly stumbled back, a sharp pain coursing through her ankle.

“My goodness!” the gentleman declared, pulling his horse to a complete stop and jumping down from his seat. “Are you quite all right?”

Harmonia, her hand at her ankle, glanced up in mortification. “I am terribly sorry, that was entirely my own fault. I did not look where I was going and I –” Her words hung in the air as she realized that the gentleman looking down at her was none other than the blue-eyed gentleman from last evening.

“Trying to get away from someone, it seemed. I quite understand,” the man replied, with a kind smile. “It appears we are finally going to be able to introduce ourselves. Phillip Marshal, Earl of Newford. Might I assist you in getting to your feet?”

Harmonia consented at once, aware of just how ridiculous she must appear to be so crumpled on the ground. His presented arm was strong and, as she clung to it, she felt his free hand slip around her waist, helping her to rise. His touch burned her skin, making her blush with both embarrassment and awareness.

“Ouch!” Trying to put her foot on the ground, Harmonia found that, whilst she could stand, there was still some lingering pain.

“Twisted it, mayhap,” Lord Newford murmured, his eyes on hers. “Can I help you home, Miss….?”

“Lady Harmonia,” she answered, her hands still clinging to his arm. “My father is the Duke of Westbrook.”

“Glad to make your acquaintance,” Lord Newford said, quietly. “Now, what are we to do with you? I would be happy to escort you home, if you would consent to going onto the back of my horse? He is a gentle creature, despite appearances.”

Harmonia looked up at the big, black stallion and managed to smile despite the pain in her foot. “I am sure he is, Lord Newford. I think I will be able to walk, thank you.” Her fingers loosened on his sleeve, both disappointed and relieved when his hand left her waist. “Thank you for your assistance.”

“But of course,” he replied, with a small smile. “And I am glad to be introduced to you.”

Harmonia opened her mouth to say that she was as glad as he, only for her name to be called. Closing her eyes briefly, she heard the sound of Luke’s voice coming ever closer and, with a brief smile towards Lord Newford, she turned towards her cousin.

“This is my cousin, Lord Newford,” she murmured, as Luke drew closer. “My sister, Lady Amelia is with him.”

Unfortunately for her, Luke continued to do exactly as he had done before and completely ignored Lord Newford, his eyes narrowed as he drew near her.

“For heaven’s sake, Harmonia, whatever are you doing over here? Your sister and I have been looking all over for you.”

Amelia, appearing just behind Luke, curtsied quickly towards Lord Newford and began to ask him what had happened, only for Luke to take Harmonia’s arm and begin to walk her away from both her sister and Lord Newford.

“Luke!” Harmonia protested, her ankle burning. “Stop! I have twisted my ankle and you cannot simply –”

“Whatever were you doing running away from me like that?” he interrupted, slowing his pace just a little. “That was quite ridiculous of you, Harmonia, and now look what has become of it! You have hurt yourself and now, as a consequence, will most likely not be able to dance at tomorrow evening’s ball. This is all your own fault; Harmonia and I do hope you learn from it.”

Her face burned, and, with an effort, she wrenched her arm from his, standing a little unsteadily. “I am not a child that you need to correct me, Luke,” she said, firmly, her frustration growing as she saw Amelia incline her head and take her leave of Lord Newford. “And it is not your place to take me away from the gentleman who was assisting me. Your rude manner is quite uncalled for.”

Luke’s face grew a dark shade of red, his eyes narrowing as he glared at her. “You and I are –”

“Now, Harmonia,” Amelia interrupted, cheerfully, taking Harmonia’s arm and smiling at her. “Let us get you home. Lord Newford said your ankle appeared to be twisted but you could walk on it.”

“I am sure I will make it home,” Harmonia replied, wanting nothing more than to get away from Luke. “Good day, Luke.”

“Oh, but I had hoped to –”

“Good day,” Amelia interrupted, the cheerful smile still on her face. “I am quite sure we shall see you again very soon, Luke. I do wish you a pleasant afternoon.”

And, so, without another word to him, the sisters continued their slow progress towards the park gate, leaving a rather frustrated and angry cousin Luke in their wake.