atience could not help but note the absence of Sir Anthony for some days after the dinner party. He had been such a frequent visitor, and it was unusual indeed for him to stay away so long. Patience began to wonder rather wistfully whether he had, at last, realised that there was no future for him with milady. Could he, perhaps, be outgrowing his infatuation? She found herself passionately wishing he would, and was rather dismayed to discover that she missed him more than she would have thought possible. She had become accustomed to his presence, had found his company delightful, and although she had always known that he came only to see milady, had allowed herself to fall under his spell. It came as something of a shock to realise how much she had come to depend upon his being there, even though he regarded her only in the light of a friend. She resolutely shut her mind to the promptings of her heart, for if she was to allow herself such thoughts, she knew she would only be miserable.
Lady Costain had scarcely been at home either, and as she was very fond of gaming, and frequented several houses which were not at all suitable for a young lady only just out, Patience guessed quite rightly that she was dissipating both her money and her low spirits at one or more of these establishments.
She had, however, engaged herself and Patience for a masquerade which was to be held by Lady Westhaven, one of the more daring hostesses, and although at first she had been inclined to resist Patience’s wish to attend, she had eventually succumbed to her pleading, for everyone was to be masked.
‘I expect ’twill be a sad romp, for Sally Westhaven was always wild, but I suppose there can be no objection. I know you can be relied upon to behave with propriety.’
It was, indeed, quite unlike an