Chapter One

1815

Vanessa Marriott looked up at the large clock in Bath's main pump room and sighed. Bored didn't begin to describe the way she felt.

Her mother, sitting next to her with a glass of restorative water in her hand, glanced at her irritably. "Sit up straight, Vanessa! For goodness' sake, look more interested!"

Vanessa sighed again. Why should she? What good would it do? As the eldest daughter of a flock of six she'd seen ten seasons, and had no wish to see any more. Old news on the marriage market, she wearied of the way young mens' regard slid over her and on to the next girl. At twenty-eight, she no longer considered herself marriageable, and prayed her mother would allow her to stay in the country next year, instead of trailing around after her pretty sisters in Bath and London. She was far too old for this kind of thing.

There was only one reason she continued to allow her mother to drag her on the social round, and that was Emery Graham, at present staring at her from across the room. She wished he wouldn't stare at her so, it made their interest in each other so much more conspicuous, and her mother refused to consider the attachment. She took some solace from his presence, and smiled back at him for a brief moment.

A polite commotion at the far end of the Pump Room made Vanessa look up with curiosity. Her only brother George entered the elegant room, dressed in full regimentals. His entrance caused young hearts to flutter and set up a murmur of surprise. If he appeared handsome in civilian wear, the glittering regimental coat and tight breeches only served to increase the effect.

Vanessa gasped when she saw him and leapt to her feet. She ignored Mrs. Marriott's, "Vanessa! Do sit down!"

Propriety prevented her running, but she moved as quickly as possible to greet her beloved younger brother. "George!" she cried in distress. "What have you done!"

"Like it?" George moved his arms away from his sides so his sister could see him in his full military glory. The red and gold of his new uniform became his young, strong figure admirably, but in her mind's eye Vanessa only saw blood and dirt stain the bright tunic and George prone in some foreign battlefield. "George you mustn't do this!"

"Why not? Already done it," he said with a grin. He positively preened, and pushed one leg slightly forward to show off the fine musculature beneath the new cloth.

Vanessa knew he drew the admiring glances of all the young ladies present in the room, but he ignored them all in favour of his sister. For now, at least. Vanessa had no doubt he'd give his full attention to them later.

"You've seen the papers? Don't you know what that means?" Vanessa cried, deeply distressed and angered by her brother's sudden decision. He'd consulted no one.

"About Boney? Yes, he's escaped Elba and he's on his way to make more mischief," George replied with equanimity. "Don't you see old girl? Now's the time to make my fortune! The prize money will come in very useful, and you know I always looked good in red!"

Vanessa knew he only added the last, flippant remark to try to cheer her up, but she still felt distraught. "Oh, George!"

George took Vanessa's hand and placed it on his arm. "Walk with me," he commanded.

They strolled up the large room, just fast enough to deter anyone who might try to join them. "Truth is old girl," said George quietly, "All the equity's gone and it's this or the Fleet prison."

"You're in debt?"

"We're in debt, Vessa."

She didn't try to hide from his searching gaze. She was tense with worry for his safety; angry at his high handed decision.

"When we brought you girls out the expense nearly did for us. Agriculture's not what it used to be, so the estate won't support you all, and I never fancied the maritime life. So it's the army for me, old girl!"

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