“I trust, Captain Mitford,” she said, “you have recovered from your wounds.”

“Thank you.” He inclined his head. “I must not complain. An army surgeon wanted to saw off my leg and assured me when I refused that I would never walk again. I have hopes of casting aside my cane before the summer is out. Perhaps even of dancing a jig.”

He smiled at her, and she smiled back.

“You must have great fortitude, then,” she said. “You are to be congratulated.”

“Thank you,” he said again.

Why had she paused so significantly outside the gate when she first set eyes on him, rather as if she had seen a ghost?

The visit had not yet lasted half an hour, but it was over. Miss Louisa, doing nothing to hide her impatience to be gone, was on her feet.

“Amelia is coming to Goodrich Hall with me for an hour or two,” she said, addressing her sisters. “She will need a seat in the gig, but there is not room for all four of us. One of you must walk.”

“Well, it cannot be me, Louisa,” Miss Edna cried. “You know I turned my ankle yesterday and it is worse today because I felt obliged to dance at the Burtons’ soiree last evening. It will have to be Jane.”

Robert glanced at that young lady, who did not look at all chagrined, as she might well have done.

“I do not mind walking,” she said. “Indeed, I would prefer to walk than to ride on such a lovely day.”

“If you will permit me,” Robert said impulsively, “I will walk with you, Miss Jane.”

“Oh, that is quite unnecessary,” she said, turning her eyes on him again. “But if you would welcome some exercise on your own account, I will be pleased with your company.”