“No. Mrs. Spencer took ill after the New Year and quit London in favor of Bath. Elizabeth’s governess accompanied her.”

The New Year. Viscount Stratford’s trial had concluded just prior to Christmas. Reginald Spencer had attended it as regularly as a church service, and the gallery had been so crowded that the judge worried it would collapse onto the floor below. Men and women alike had attended as though it were a party at Vauxhall.

“I do not recall seeing you in London over the holiday,” he said.

“I do not recall your ever seeing me in London.” Her steps faltered. “I apologize, Lord Ramsbury. Apparently being officially invisible has loosened my tongue.”

Jasper smiled at the top of her head. “Apology accepted, Miss Pearce.”

“Thank you, and you’re correct. I was at Chilworth during Christmas. We were packing for the move to London.”

The gossip at White’s had focused on two topics—Stratford’s trial and Baron Chilworth’s bankruptcy. Jasper had played cards with the baron on several occasions. He was a gregarious, likable fellow, though always a little too careless with his money.

“You didn’t want to live with your family in London?” Jasper asked. He had never been inside the Chilworths’ home in the West End, but he knew where it was. It was large enough for several generations of the family.

“I did not.” The words had a ring to them, hinting that the topic was closed. Just as well. He didn’t wish to discuss her family.

If Miss Pearce wasn’t in London during the holiday, then she likely knew little of Stratford’s Scandal, as the newspapers had called it. She would know less of Spencer’s shadow lurking through the trial of the viscount who had kidnapped, and then murdered, his young mistress.

“At the risk of appearing a mercenary, Mrs. Spencer’s illness was my good fortune,” Miss Pearce said, almost to herself. “Most reputable companion posts had been filled, or they were for young women I knew from…before.”

What Jasper knew of ladies’ societies he’d learned either from his sisters or his mistresses. Jane, his youngest sister, had wept for days after some girl or the other had arrived at a ball in a dress that was simply the same color as hers. Viscountess Morton had refused to take him to her bed until she was certain he’d never been her sister’s lover.

That conversation must have been awkward.

It would likely have been equally awkward to work as a companion for a young lady you’d recently stood next to in a ballroom.

“Is Mrs. Spencer very ill?” he asked.

“Her letters make no mention of returning.”

There was something in her disappearance. Jasper could feel it. “Did she not mention it before she left?”

“She was gone before I arrived.”

“So Spencer hired you himself?”

Annabel stopped and faced him. “Why are you so concerned about Mr. Spencer?”

Blast. The woman was far too smart. “It’s the situation that intrigues me,” he said. “My mother has taken ill, and my sisters may need a companion. I have no idea if it is proper for me to do the interviews myself.”

Of course he couldn’t do them. Any young woman alone with him in a room would consider it an interview for a wife.

They reached the mouth of the maze. Despite the yawning gap in the hedges and the lawn spreading out before them, Miss Pearce didn’t move. The sunlight slanted in to reach them, warming the top of his head. It touched her next, and her hair sparked to life. Gold and warm copper glinted like ore in poor soil.

“Thank you for escorting me, your lordship.”

He needed to ask her more questions, not stand here staring at her hair. He definitely didn’t need to miss her touch as she separated from him. “We are not to the house yet.”

“It’s a large house. I’m capable of finding it myself.” Her cheeks colored a bright pink, but she didn’t apologize.

“Allow me—”

“No,” she snapped. Drawing a deep breath, she put more distance between them. “I went into this maze without you. If I exit with you, the entire party will be alive with gossip of an assignation.”

“I see.” Jasper’s lips twisted at the irony. He was alone with the one woman he’d met who didn’t wish to be alone with him.

“Lord Ramsbury, we were hoping…”

The words came as a shadow cast Miss Pearce back into gloomy gray. Jasper turned to greet the intruder.

“Miss Spencer. How may I help you?”

She was blinking at her companion. “Miss Pearce?” She looked between them, her gaze narrowing.

Miss Pearce brushed past Jasper and into the sunlight. “His lordship offered to help me find the way out of his maze. It’s become quite overgrown and treacherous over the winter.” Her smile was brittle. “Thank you for your assistance, sir.”

Jasper dipped his chin. “It was my pleasure to be of assistance, miss.”

Rather than stare at her retreating back, he faced his guest and gave her his best smile. “Miss Spencer. How may I assist you?”

“We were hoping you would join us for croquet.”

She looked up at him with a wide blue stare that reminded him of his sister Johanna when she’d asked for a puppy. It was difficult not to pat Miss Spencer on the head as he’d done Jo.

“I will shortly.” He hated croquet, but he suspected Miss Spencer would wheedle if he refused. Jo wheedled with the best of them. “I use the black mallet with the longest handle. Why don’t you ensure that no one else picks it?”

After bouncing a curtsy, she spun on her heel and hurried back in the other direction, barely acknowledging her friends, who fell in behind her. Jasper waited until they were out of sight before lengthening his stride to apprehend Miss Pearce, who was almost to the lowest group of garden steps.

“You are the most exasperating man,” she said to his shadow as she avoided his hand. “What if someone saw you run—”

“I hardly ran.” He chuckled. It had been more difficult to catch her than he’d expected. She had apparently abandoned the short stride ladies were taught as soon as they could walk. “And no one saw me.”

In the silence, their steps ticked off their climb.

“Shouldn’t you join us on the lawn? What if I make love to your charge when no one is looking?”

It was a tease he would have made with Fiona, and Miss Pearce’s sharp inhale made Jasper wonder if he’d gone too far. However, when she faced him, humor sparked in her eyes. It was the first sign of life he’d seen in them.

“I believe that’s too bold, even for you.” She arched an eyebrow. “But I’ll be keeping an eye on you after sunset.”

“Wise woman,” he quipped as he opened the door and ushered her into the entry hall.

Jasper intended to leave her at the stairs. However, when he looked down to bid her farewell, she wasn’t there.

He found her at the library doorway and returned to her side. She didn’t acknowledge his presence.

“I knew it would be lovely,” she whispered.