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She flashed him an annoyed glance and breathed deeply.

"I don’t believe you mistreated or neglected that young child, whether he was your own or not.

I believe, my lord, that you like children, despite the facade you present to the world.

It is not fashionable to notice the existence of children.

You ignore that dictum, but not from any perverse desire to thumb your nose at society.

You couldn’t care less if society notices or not.

You do it for yourself, and you derive enjoyment from children for yourself.

You would be incapable of hurting a child in the way gossip would have you.

Furthermore, your gambling rampage did not start until after the child died, almost three years after the mother left him in your care. ”

“Peter.”

“I beg your pardon, my lord?”

“The child’s name was Peter. And you are correct. I would never have harmed that child, even though he was not my son.”

“What?” Jane’s head flew up, her gaze locking with the earl’s.

He waved his hand airily. "That is just one of several small details society mistranslated. First, I wanted to marry Vivian Montrechet, and I thought she wanted to marry me; however, when we arrived in Europe she let me know quite firmly that she would prefer to remain my mistress. At that time, I accepted her decision without question. Na?ve, on my part. For Vivian, I was merely a stepping stone. She hungered for gaiety and glamour. When she found herself pregnant, she came and told me. I knew immediately it was not my child, and she knew I knew. It was the result of a liaison she regretted, particularly as she had recently caught the attention of a certain German princeling. She allowed him to believe it was my child she carried. He accepted that. However, after she bore the child he invited her to live in one of his castles as his mistress if she left the child behind. She agreed. She’s still there, as far as I know. "

“So you were left quite literally with babe in arms.”

“Yes. Peter was a delightful child, and even though I would not claim him as my own, I did everything I could for him. Unfortunately, I was not the wisest in choosing those to care for him. One day the maid who watched him while he played outside became more interested in flirting with the groom. Peter decided to play in the fountain in the garden.”

“Oh no!” Jane gasped, knowing what he would say next, yet unable to stop listening.

His voice continued in a neutral, dispassionate manner as if he were relating the time of day.

"He was discovered later floating in it, face down. I blamed myself for his death. You are correct, Miss Grantley. It was then that I went on a wild gambling rage. As if by losing all, or nearly all of what I had, I could in some way atone for the child’s death.

” His voice trailed off on the last, as if he were no longer talking to her but talking more to himself.

“You loved that child,” Jane said softly.

He looked down at his hands and shrugged. "In my fashion. As much as I am capable of loving anything, I suppose.”

“Oh, stop it! Stop it right now! That arrogant coldness is all an act with you. It’s what you feel society wants. Well, I’m not society. I’m Jane Grantley, and I won’t accept that behavior from you!”

The parlor door opened suddenly, and two pairs of eyes swiveled around to see who was there. Millicent Hedgeworth slid into the room.

“Well, you will not get any argument from me that you are not society,” she drawled.

A brilliant blush swept up Jane’s neck and face.

She glanced at Jeremy, who was still standing by the open door.

He shook his head slowly, indicating that Millicent had not had an opportunity to overhear her conversation with Royce, and backed out of the room, shutting the door softly behind him.

Relieved, Jane collapsed back in her chair, but she noticed the earl made no move to rise to his feet.

She glanced back at Millicent and noticed that she was coloring furiously. She approached Jane with an unusual mincing step as if she were half afraid.

“Wha—what I mean is, if all society decided to leave the season as early as you, Jane, London would not be worth a visit,” she stammered, looking anxiously from Jane to the earl and back.

"Am I correct? I mean, there would be no one to give parties, or meet at Günter's, or drive in the park with. What would be the use of a London season?” she asked with a shrill laugh. She sat in the companion chair to Jane’s, smiling tentatively at them.

Jane and the earl exchanged quizzical glances. Millicent was not acting in character.

“Do you feel all right, Cousin?” Jane asked.

“I am much better, thank you. Um, ah—Aunt Elsbeth feels I should get outside today for some fresh air. Avoiding the sun, of course. Ah, I was wondering, Jane, if you might join me in a little spin around the neighborhood? Mama tells me you are an excellent four-in-hand whip. Oh, dear, that does sound awkward, doesn’t it?

” she said with a sharp, nervous laugh. "Here I am asking you to join me in a carriage ride, and practically in the same breath requesting that you drive us! It’s just that I’m a stranger in this neighborhood and would no doubt get lost if I drove myself. "

Jane didn’t know how to respond. Spending time alone with Millicent was not her idea of a pleasant way to pass an afternoon. She knew her peace would not be of long duration. "What time?” she asked, resigning herself to her duties.

“Now, in a half-hour, an hour.” Millicent shrugged delicately. "It won’t make any difference.”

Jane looked at her silently, weighing the benefits and consequences of accepting her cousin’s invitation. She decided it would be best to accept, for the sake of future harmony.

“I can be ready in half an hour,” she said.

“Oh, good!” exclaimed Millicent, jumping to her feet. "I shall meet you in the Great Hall then." She turned to leave. At the door she stopped, turning around to address Royce.

“I beg your pardon, my lord. I fear I’ve been rude. Will you forgive me?” She smiled sunnily, her confidence returning.

Royce, still on the couch, bowed at the waist in a parody of the formal action. Millicent, glowing as if she’d received some precious gift, hurried out the door.

The earl shook his head at the closed portal. "I know she is a relative of yours, but I cannot say I like the woman. She has the most grating manner I’ve encountered in years.”

Jane laughed. "Ah, then be forewarned. She has her marital eye on you.”

The earl feigned an abhorrent shudder. "Then I shall look to you to protect my good name, Miss Grantley,” he said teasingly.

“Which name?” she countered, rising to go and change. "Royce, or the Devil’s Disciple?” She hunted around for her shoes.

The earl, finding her shoes under the settee, gently threw them at her as his answer. Jane’s laughter seemed to linger in the parlor long after she’d gone.