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a little faster. ‘But don’t you see, now you’re in Paris and have listened to all the arguments, that you must act?’
    He cocked his head and smiled at her devotedly. ‘Miss Ardeigh, it’s true, I’ve felt more purposeful of late. But the question remains, what should I do?’
    ‘Anything can be done, where there is a will,’ she replied sharply.
    ‘It’s all so straightforward to you, Miss Ardleigh.’
    ‘And is it so difficult for you, Mr Shackleford?’
    ‘It is, if you did but know it. Much simpler to stay on the move, turn a blind eye and get on with spending my father’s money.’
    ‘Yes, that’s certainly the easiest choice.’
    ‘But I’ve begun to feel that my ambition, or lack of it, has been transformed during the last few weeks. Oh, it’s not just Brissot and your friend Paulin. It’s you, Miss Ardleigh.’ He raised his hand as if to take hers. ‘I never imagined that I would meet a relative – even a distant one – such as you.’
    ‘Whereas I,’ she said, ‘would rather not be reminded of a connection that will one day leave me destitute, thanks to the entail on my father’s estates.’
    ‘Oh, my brother would never allow that to happen, I’m sure. And it need not be so. Miss Ardleigh, there is a way forward that is advantageous to us all. I have dared to think that with you at my side I could achieve anything.’
    Appalled to realise that this was almost a declaration and that some kind of deal must have been struck between Morton and Shackleford, Asa said slowly and distinctly: ‘I will ask my friend Mr Lambert to send you pamphlets on your return to England. You could join the Society for Effecting the Abolition of the Slave Trade if you wish. But I wonder if you’re serious? It seems to me that, for the last half-hour, you have simply been using the subject to form a bond between us.’ She looked about for Morton and, there being no sign of him, sat at the end of a bench and turned her face away.
    ‘Miss Ardleigh, if you would just hear me out. Left to my own devices I’m a fool, rather weak, I admit it. I don’t know which way to turn. With you …’
    He had dared to sit beside her, was craning forward to see her face, but she held up a hand. ‘Don’t you see, even so much as an acquaintance with you is a betrayal of all the values I hold dear. I cannot believe in the integrity of anything you say when every stitch you wear is bought by slavery. In my view you are irredeemable. I beg you, never attempt to raise this matter again.’
    She was actually shaking as she registered the shock in his eyes. He got up and stood a little distance away, turning his modish, flat-brimmed hat in his hands and looking up at the sky until Morton came back.

Chapter Four
    It was arranged that Professor Paulin and Beatrice would escort Asa to Madame de Genlis’s next salon. Having spent an hour dressing for the occasion, Asa presented herself to Philippa for inspection.
    ‘Well,’ her sister pronounced, ‘at least Paris has achieved what I never could: a well-turned-out young lady.’
    This was a rare compliment and perhaps, Asa thought hopefully, something of an understatement. Georgina, by far the best needlewoman of the three sisters, though bitterly frustrated by Philippa’s marriage to Morton, had not allowed pique to get in the way of her love of fashion as she prepared her sisters’ travelling clothes. Asa’s gown was of dainty light blue muslin, the perfect backdrop to her mother’s sapphire ring.
    ‘Are you sure you’re not well enough to come with me?’ Asa pleaded. ‘I should so love you to meet Beatrice.’
    ‘Good Lord, Asa, she’d terrify me if she’s anything like your Caroline Lambert. I’ve been confined to these four walls for so long I’d have nothing to say.’
    ‘You always have something appropriate to say. You taught me all I know about how to behave in company.’
    ‘Nonsense. I don’t think any of us had enough practice at being in society,