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I felt sorry for the match they would make in the end.

A woman’s worth can’t be in her father’s bank account.

Mustn’t be! If we hadn’t lost everything, might I have been swept away by Ransom’s good looks?

Or Luke’s? Would marriage have been the result and I none the wiser for his reasons?

Would they even have admired me—for myself? My character?

Ransom begrudgingly ushered me into my final Assembly and promptly left my side. And, in a matter of minutes, Susan had been whisked away by gentlemen begging for a dance.

Luke, rather embarrassed to be left standing alone with me, asked me to dance but once. He escorted me from the dance floor, bowed, and made some pretense to get me some punch. He never returned. Was I so disagreeable?

Naught else aside from an older gentleman who stepped upon his own foot and regrettably limped back to the chairs from whence he came. I felt sorry for him and to my shame, stifled a laugh. Not because he’d been hurt but because my appeal had been reduced to the sites of a widower in his dotage.

I spotted Lady Ridgeport, who condescended to a mere nod in my direction with no accompanying smile to greet one who had enjoyed countless cups of tea in her parlor.

Not exactly the cut-direct. But a cut nonetheless. Mother would be mortified to know it.

What next? My hand no longer had value. Therefore, I must accept a lack of partners. I took a breath and bid myself to enjoy the music as best as I could. The dancers were quite good, and spirits were high tonight. I’d watch Susan and wait for her to go with me to the supper table.

But it was not to be. Dance after dance, my friend was compromised and I confess, I quite gave up. I turned to go to supper alone when Mr. James, the Master of Ceremonies, bowed before me.

His peppered mutton chop whiskers curved with a smile. “Hm, hm.” He bowed again. “Miss Chilton? May I introduce Colonel Nathan Stewart?” He smiled. “Colonel Stewart, Miss Cassandra Chilton.”

The colonel bowed. “A pleasure.”

I curtsied. His tall form rose above me, his build muscular, his glance as sharp as a bayonet. I wasn’t so sure it was a pleasure for him to be introduced to me. Like Susan’s brothers.

Mr. James chided him playfully. “Found this bloke standing alone in the corner. Won’t do, I said, to see such a fine man and a fine young woman not dancing! And here we are!” His gaze shifted from poor Colonel Stewart to me.

Colonel Stewart cleared his throat. “Would you do me the honor of dancing with me, Miss Chilton?” His sharp gaze had dulled ever so little.

“I thank you, yes.” I could not embarrass my host.

The music began. Colonel Stewart took my hand and led me to the floor.

I had to apologize in some way. “I believe you’ve been coerced into gaining a partner you did not desire.” I might as well be plain.

He seemed taken aback. “Coerced is rather a strong word, don’t you think?”

“Perhaps. I apologize. I do thank you for taking pity on my singular state along with Mr. James.”

His straight lips quirked. “I wouldn’t say I asked you to dance entirely out of pity.”

I was a charity case, and everyone knew it. And if he didn’t know, the ladies within this hall, this very night, would set him straight. Just in case he had romantic notions. Which he didn’t, of course not. We were acquaintances of mere minutes.

We danced, and I dared not look him in the eyes again.

I might read the truth there. He was being too kind, and I was to be pitied.

I saw it in nearly everyone’s look when I was greeted upon arrival.

I’d even heard a few whispers. This was to be expected.

Mother warned me that gossip about our family was still fresh and would be bandied about the room.

Indeed, this Assembly would hold a memory—not of the best. Once one has been reduced before society, well, is there ever a recovery? Mayhap if I had a rich Uncle that died and—but that fairytale thought wasn’t feasible. I couldn’t think of the flighty what-ifs.

Was all I could do to dance with any sort of enthusiasm. My fine gown notwithstanding, it was clear that I now fit into a different sphere that didn’t include assemblies. I might as well accept it.

I would dine, thank Susan, and walk home without telling anyone. I couldn’t very well importune Ransom or Luke. I knew my way about Bath and did not fear the night. The cool air would revive me and refresh my thoughts about what must come next.

Yet I was taken by the ease of the colonel's movements. He caught my eye and smiled. His hold, strong but ever so gentle. I couldn't help but enjoy the movements. This was the last time. My last dance, graced with such an amiable gentleman. We moved with the music and I let myself smile too.

The song ended, and Colonel Stewart bowed. I curtsied. He held out his arm to lead me away from the dance floor—but he turned and led me to supper instead. Susan caught my eye, her expression telling.

My silly, romantic friend. She had high hopes.

Colonel Stewart seated me and pulled his own chair.

We were served, and those to the left were no acquaintances of mine.

We had not been introduced. My only dinner companion was this handsome stranger who’d been compelled to dance with me.

I must make the best of it and then—the cold walk home.

I accepted that this part of my life was now completely over.

I would not be rude, however. I must engage in conversation.

“Colonel, have you been in Bath long?”

“Not long, not above three days.”

I noted a faint pink scar along his neck—where his cravat did not cover. “And will you take a house here?”

He shook his head. “If only I could, though I may be tempted to rent rooms upon summer.”

“Do you enjoy the sea?” His uniform was that of infantry—not of the navy. Was more of a horseman, I daresay.

“Immensely.” He smiled—and those eyes that I had first thought sharp took on a new hue. A deep golden brown that warmed with a dream. “But I must away to my estate—and other responsibilities.”

“As must I.”

“You’ve an estate?”

Color rushed to my cheeks. “Not at all. Responsibilities, I mean. I, too, must leave this wonderful seaside and grapple with my duty.”

“Then we are of one purpose.” He lifted his wine glass. “Let us toast.” He smiled. “To fulfill our duties.”

I lifted my glass with his and drank. I don’t quite know why, but we began to laugh. I suddenly felt free of pretension. We, both of us, singularly needed to go about as life would have us—recognizing that in each other.

“The seaside is—how can I describe it? An ever-flowing force that one can always count upon, but different every single day.”

“Do you swim?” He asked with a lifted brow.

I smiled in return. “I don’t even need the bathing machine.” I looked at my plate of ham and stewed fruits. Had I known last summer that my dips in the ocean would likely be my last, I might have relished them all the more.

He nodded. “Well done. I approve. I believe every woman ought to know how to swim.”

“And man, I hope.”

His eyes crinkled with humor. “But of course. Yes.” He laughed. “Men, too.”

I finished my plate with much better spirits than I began it. Was as though I’d made a friend of this handsome colonel, if only for an hour.

He pulled my chair again when we’d finished. “You are no doubt anxious to return to the dance floor.” He bowed again. “I am away early, so I beg you good night.”

I curtsied, “Good night, Colonel Stewart.”

His brown eyes stayed upon mine for the merest second, and my heart gave a small flip. I thought he might say something—but no words came.

So, this is what it’s like to meet a fine prospect…

I closed my eyes briefly against the impossibility as his back retreated to the cloakroom and through the front double doors. I would never see him again. At least I’d not been so alone for the last hour. A kind companion had been provided. I could thank God for this and move on as I intended.

I waited a moment then made my way to the cloakroom too. The maid tightened the wool cape around my shoulders, and I tugged on my gloves and bonnet. I quite left the premises without informing Susan. A few steps into my walk, I heard a voice behind me.

“Surely you do not walk alone? At night?”

My heart leaped as I turned toward the steps of the Assembly Hall. Colonel Stewart. He hadn’t left yet. I glanced at the moon shining brightly behind his shoulder. I couldn’t look into his eyes. Not again. “I find that cold air helps clear the mind.”

“You do not fear the night—or those that prefer it?”

I swallowed. Since he put it that way… I wasn’t sure. “I confess that while I’ve walked these streets the whole of my life, I hadn’t given my safety consideration.”

“What of your escort?”

I shook my head. “The Richards are well occupied. I didn’t want to disturb them. Perhaps I should go back inside and wait until they are ready to depart.”

He held out his arm. “I find, Miss Chilton, that cold air helps clear my mind as well. It would be my pleasure to see you safely home.”

“You are too kind.” I slipped my hand into his waiting arm and gave direction.