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Her heart fluttered when both of them headed to where she and Hannah were standing, talking to Mr and Mrs Tierney and their daughter. Eliza had to admit, Miss Tierney was extraordinarily beautiful in a rather intimidating way. She turned a charming smile on the Ellice brothers.

‘I hear you have been abroad, Lieutenant Colonel?’ Miss Tierney said.

The Lieutenant Colonel inclined his head. ‘I have indeed. Buenos Aires.’

‘Oh, how terribly thrilling for you,’ she said, gazing up at him in a rapt way with innocently wide eyes. ‘Is that in Belgium?’

The Lieutenant Colonel just blinked.

‘I think it is in Argentina?’ Eliza ventured. ‘And I’m not sure war would be… thrilling.’

Her words dropped into a little pool of shocked silence, and Eliza wanted to kick herself. Miss Tierney gave a shrill laugh, and Edward Ellice laughed heartily and clapped his brother on the arm.

‘My dear Miss Tierney, perhaps you will allow me to bore you with some geography?’ he said and held out his arm to her. She took it but cast a longing look at Robert over her shoulder as she left with Edward and her parents, leaving Eliza with Hannah and Mary again, not knowing quite where to look.

The Lieutenant Colonel watched them leave, then turned back to Eliza and gave her a long, unreadable look.

Hannah stepped into the silence, and they talked about the weather until Edward rejoined them with Mr Thomas Erskine, who smiled at them all and bowed.

‘My dear Lady Hannah, it is so good to see you again. My sincerest condolences at your loss of Captain Bettesworth. He was a good man.’

Hannah nodded politely, but Eliza could see the tension in her face.

The Lieutenant Colonel frowned. ‘Your husband was Captain Bettesworth?’ he asked.

Hannah visibly gathered herself. ‘He was.’

‘I’m so sorry. Please accept my sincerest condolences. Our brother, Alexander, served under him at sea. He said he was such a good man, and an excellent captain. Alexander was with him when…’ He let the comment tail away.

The Lieutenant Colonel flushed. ‘My apologies.’

‘Not at all, Lieutenant Colonel Ellice. Thank you for your kind words. George was a good man. A very good man, and it is nice to hear how people thought of him. He is much missed.’

In the silence that ensued, Edward Ellice took Hannah’s hand and placed it on his arm. ‘Let me find you some refreshment, Lady Hannah. Did I tell you about the time a bear got into my lodgings? He caused absolute mayhem and ate my boots!’

Eliza was pleased to hear Hannah chuckle, and she looked up at the Lieutenant Colonel who was frowning.

‘Forgive me,’ he said. ‘You must think me a complete monster. Your poor sister.’

‘Of course you are not a monster,’ Eliza said. ‘Your words were kindly meant.’

He sighed and rubbed a hand around the back of his neck. ‘I know his loss badly affected my brother. I remember it well. I never met him myself. Alex is the navy man.’ He shook his head.

‘Hannah was devastated. Losing Papa too was awful.’

‘Then it must have been awful for you too and here I am bringing up sad memories for you.’

‘Please don’t worry. Sometimes it is good to remember those we have lost.’

He nodded. ‘In the military, one loses people with frightening regularity.’ The words were said with a quiet bleakness that made Eliza want to take his hand and hold it. ‘Our papa passed a couple of years ago too, so I share your sadness.’

At this, she did take his hand and she squeezed it. ‘Then you have my most heartfelt condolences. Losing one’s papa is awful.’

He swallowed and nodded, keeping hold of her hand. ‘Thank you. You are most kind.’

Eliza looked up at him, feeling herself getting lost in his gaze. Still holding hands. She recovered herself with a shake.

‘We should join the card game, if we remain here any longer people will talk,’ she said, trying to remain calm.