Jessica clasped her hands together, trying to dampen down her excitement. The ball was already in full swing and she could hardly wait to see Lord Warwick again. It had been a little disappointing that he had not called on her since the afternoon of the tea party and, deep down, Jessica was worried that it was because he had thought her rude in not seeking him out for conversation. She hoped desperately that he did not believe her to be interested in Major Ridding and had grown frustrated with herself, over and over again, that she had not taken herself away from the Major earlier that evening.

“Lady Jessica, how beautiful you look this evening.”

Jessica smiled quickly, her eyes darting away from Major Ridding. “Thank you for inviting us, Major. Might I ask if Lord Warwick has arrived yet?”

The light left his eyes almost at once, his smile fading. “No, not as yet,” he replied, frowning.

“Please do let him know that we have already arrived when he finally does make an appearance,” Jessica said, her urgency rising. “I very much would like to speak with him this evening.” She saw Major Ridding’s expression darken but he bowed and smiled, clearing the frustration from his face as he promised to do what she asked. Jessica was caught for a moment, wondering whether or not Major Ridding’s expression was to do with his upset over something Lord Warwick had done, unbeknownst to her, or if he was irritated at her eagerness to see the man. Shrugging inwardly, she made to turn away – only for Major Ridding to catch her wrist.

Startled, Jessica jerked away from him, hating that his fingers were so cold and that he had, once again, overlooked propriety. She was about to berate him, albeit quietly given that there were other guests nearby, but he was grinning at her in a foolish manner.

“Did you forget that you promised me two dances?” he said, holding out his hand for her dance card. “How wonderful that I should be the first to have my name there! I shall be able to choose freely!”

Jessica closed her mouth, her rebuke dying away on her lips as she held out her dance card, wishing that Lord Warwick had been here to greet her first. She would much rather have waltzed with him, wincing as she saw Major Ridding write his name there. Did he not understand that Jessica had no regard for him? Did he not see that the reason she asked about Lord Warwick was because she cared only for him? Her affections were not about to be placed elsewhere, no matter how much the Major smiled at her.

“I look forward to our dance,” the Major said, in a low voice, stepping closer to her. “The waltz, especially.”

Jessica tried to smile, although her body recoiled from him, forcing her to take a step back.

“I must see to my other guests,” Major Ridding continued, pressing a kiss to the back of her hand, his eyes never leaving her face. “Do excuse me, Lady Jessica.”

It was with relief that Jessica watched him go, wondering why she had recoiled so. Was it because she found him much too familiar, much too forward? It was clear that he had something of an affection for her but Jessica had made it more than obvious she did not return his regard. Why then did he insist on pursuing her so?

“Major Ridding seems kind, don’t you think?” Jacintha commented, coming over to Jessica from where she had been standing. “I have a dance with later this evening.”

Surprised, Jessica lifted her eyebrows. “Really?”

“Yes, the second waltz of the evening.”

Frowning, Jessica twisted her lips and wondered whether she was being overly harsh with the Major. Mayhap he did not, in fact, have any kind of affection for her and she was simply mistaking kindness for regard.

“You look confused.”

Giving herself a shake, Jessica smiled at Jacintha. “I am just wondering what has kept Lord Warwick. He is not usually late for such events.”

“Especially not when you are to be attending,” Jacintha replied, with a broad smile. “I am quite sure he will be here very soon. After all, he does now have a lot of responsibilities. Mayhap something there has kept him.”

Jessica nodded and tried her best not to worry. Determined to enjoy herself, Jessica smiled and nodded, her dance card slowly filling up – yet all the while, she still caught herself looking for Lord Warwick.

“You appear a little distracted, Lady Jessica.”

Glancing up at Major Ridding, Jessica flushed, embarrassment rippling up her spine. “Oh, do forgive me, Major. I was simply wondering where Lord Warwick might have got to. You did invite him, did you not?”

Major Ridding let out a long sigh, his brows furrowing together. “I did, yes. After all, you did ask me specifically and he is my very dear friend.”

Jessica saw the lines of irritation around his mouth and cursed her doggedness. “I do apologise, Major Ridding. I did not mean to be so persistent, it is just that I hoped to speak to him this evening.”

The waltz came to a close and Jessica smiled as Major Ridding led her from the dance floor, relieved that it had come to an end.

“I know this is quite untoward, Lady Jessica, but I must ask if you would accompany me for a moment.”

“Accompany you?” Looking up at him in confusion, Jessica caught the way his eyes shifted here and there, making him look quite ill at ease. “Goodness, Major Ridding, whatever is the matter?”

He shook his head, looking away from her. “I think it best I be clear with you, Lady Jessica, but I cannot have this conversation where anyone can hear me speak. Might you come with me outside for a moment? I promise it will not be long.”

Frowning, Jessica paused for a moment, wondering what the Major intended. “What is this about?”

“Lord Warwick,” the Major replied, sending a bolt of fear straight through Jessica’s heart. “I know you have been seeking him and I believe it is best to tell you all.”

Jessica nodded at once, no longer worried about what the Major intended. “Then yes, of course, I shall accompany you at once.”

He did not smile, simply nodding. “Very good, my lady. This way, if you please.”

Within a few minutes, Jessica found herself outside, walking alongside Major Ridding.

“I would not have us go too far, yet I know this news will disturb you somewhat,” he said, quietly, his eyes darting towards hers in the soft lamplight. “My dear Lady Jessica, I must inform you that Lord Warwick has returned to town.”

Jessica felt her breath catch in her throat, her arms tingling and eyes wide as she stared back at him. “Gone to town?” she managed to repeat, her voice nothing more than a squeak. “But why?” She could not understand why Lord Warwick would do such a thing! After all, they had shared a great deal of intimacies and he had been more than clear about his intentions towards her, so what had made him leave without even speaking to her?

“Ah, well, this is where it becomes difficult,” the Major continued, shuffling his feet as he turned to face her. “He is my very dear friend, as you know, and the truth is he decided that it was time for him to wed.”

The words hit her like sharp stones, piercing her skin.

“I believe he thinks that a wife might be best found in London. After all, he does have rather specific requirements.”

“Requirements?” Jessica whispered, swaying for a moment as she tried her best to take in what the Major was saying. “What requirements?”

The Major shrugged. “Something about being determined to focus on the estate, someone who had very little ambition other than to support him.” He shook his head and let out a very long sigh. “He seems quite determined to forget all about his former life, it seems. He needs a wife who can help him do that.”

Jessica wrapped her arms around her waist, struggling to breathe. She could not understand why Lord Warwick would do such a thing, not when he had spoken to her about where he wanted to travel, apparently thrilled with her own sense of adventure. Had she somehow pushed him away unknowingly? Had her honesty and vulnerability only proved to him that she was not the woman he needed?

“I – I don’t understand,” she whispered, hot tears trickling down her cheeks, unabated. “I thought he…I thought we….”

She swayed and, for a minute or two. Major Ridding held her tightly, which only forced more tears to drip from her lashes. Her breath came in harsh gasps, sobs racking her body.

“I am sorry to have to be the one to tell you this, but I could not allow you to continue waiting for him when he has no intention of returning,” he murmured, as she slowly stepped back from him. “I do not know what he is thinking of, not when he has someone like you waiting for him. I must admit that I find him entirely foolish, Lady Jessica.”

Sniffing indelicately, Jessica pulled a lace handkerchief from her sleeve and wiped at her eyes, knowing that she needed to collect herself before she could return inside. She shook her head and tried to force her breathing to return to normal. “I do thank you for telling me the truth, Major Ridding. It would not have done to be left so much in the dark.” Her chest burned with pain, as though someone had reached into her heart and torn it into pieces, leaving her bleeding. “I did not ever expect such behaviour from him.” The truth was, she had expected quite the opposite so to hear this news from Major Ridding now had come as something of a shock. It was as if everything she knew about Lord Warwick had been thrown at her feet and burned, revealing nothing but ash.

“I am sorry to have to be the one to bring such suffering to you,” Major Ridding said, softly, his fingers touching her chin gently so that she had no other choice but to raise her eyes to his. “Let me remind you, however, that there are plenty of other, more worthy, gentlemen out amongst society. Gentlemen who might understand you better, might be able to fulfil your dreams in a way Lord Warwick could not.”

Jessica swallowed hard and stepped back, forcing his hand to drop from her face. She did not want Major Ridding to ever consider himself in that role, nor was she about to give him any hope in that regard. Did he not see that she could not simply divest herself of the love she had for Lord Warwick – for that was what she felt for him – simply to give it to another? Her heart was not so fickle as that.

“I had better return inside to my sisters,” she said, dropping a quick curtsy. “Good evening, Major Ridding. Thank you again for being so honest with me.”

He caught her hand and pressed a kiss to the back of it, forcing her to remain for one moment longer. Gritting her teeth, Jessica tried not to jerk her hand away, waiting impatiently until he dropped it and allowed her to leave. Without even waiting for him to fall into step with her, Jessica hurried back towards the back door of the ballroom, suddenly desperate to get herself as far away from Major Ridding as possible.