T

he morning of the garden party, Betsy sent her man around to inquirer if I would come by to assist her in the preparations, but I replied that I was indisposed. I knew she would be displeased with me, but that was not my concern. I intended to spend all my energies on making myself presentable for Lady Hilliard's niece. Betsy would have to learn about Jane when I escorted her to the party, which did not seem to be the optimum of introductions, but there was nothing for it - that is the way it turned out.

Finally came the time to go to Lady Hilliard's place. When I arrived, I was escorted into the parlor by the maid, but in the parlor I did not find Lady H, but the Whitlander sisters. "Lady Hilliard said make yersalf at hoome, Master Acton" said Dulena.

"Aye, right at hoome" echoed Alaina and she made what sounded like a small whinny - I took it to be laughter.

I suddenly noted the faint smell of sulfur, and for a moment I recalled the events of that strange night - or rather dream - and shuddered involuntarily. I did note that on both occasions when I smelled sulfur, I had been in the vicinity of the Whitlanders. Perhaps they picked up the smell on their clothing, through some sort of farm work that they did. Having no knowledge of farm work, I supposed they could have some dealings with sulpher.

"What of Lady Jane?" I asked, trying not to seem nervous.

"Och, she'll be here in noo tayme, you needna worry aboot thet Master Actor" said Dulena, and she and Alaina looked at each other and snickered, to my great annoyance.

"Well then I suppose I must wait."

I sat and contemplated what I should say to these two, but for the most part they ignored me, and occasionally whispered and giggled together. I distracted myself by gazing at Jane's portrait on the wall. It is a fanciful piece - in it, Jane wears a rather old-fashioned dress, and flying above her head was a large, ungainly cupid. It is certainly not the fashionable portrait style of the day, and rather charming because of its quaintness. At last Alaina said "it's time" and she and Dulena exited the room without a word to me. Some half-hour later they returned, but at last my patience was rewarded for they were accompanied by Jane. She looked exactly as she did in the painting and I was utterly charmed.

"Hello, Mr. Acton." she said.

I stared at her a moment and then remembered myself and replied: "Charmed, Lady Jane, and please do me the courtesy of calling me Oliver."

"I will indeed." she said and smiled. I noted she had the same blue eyes as her aunt.

(To be continued...)