Back at the house, the party had greatly enjoyed the splendid if short fireworks display, and only Lord Alverstoke and his betrothed had any idea that it wasn't part of the planned entertainment. As the guests clapped in delight, Frederica moved towards the marquis, worry in her eyes, and asked him where Felix was.

"No doubt doing his best to singe off his eyebrows again," said Alverstoke, taking her arms in his. "Don't be a goose, Frederica; Charles and Jessamy set off straight to that damned laboratory as soon as they realized he was missing, and no doubt it was they who put a short end to the display."

Frederica relaxed a little, looked around the room, and then said "But where is Chloe? She went to go get a shawl, and never came back."

"Maybe she heard the bursts and hid under her bed; it would have been the sensible thing to do."

A few minutes later a servant came into the room, where the guests had now formed themselves into little circles of activity, some playing at cards, some chatting. The servant whispered something into Alverstoke's ear, and both he and Frederica quietly slipped out of the room and made their way down the hall to a sitting room, where they found Miss Leighton reposing on a sofa with Chloe in attendance and Mr. Trevor, coatless and neckclothless, in the process of writing notes to his sister and to the village doctor.

"Good heavens, whatever has happened? And where is Felix?"

"Felix is very dirty, but in the best of health," said Charles, standing up and handing the notes to the servant with instructions as to their delivery. "He and Jessamy should be back from securing the gunpowder at any moment."

"Did you see the fireworks, Lord Alverstoke? Weren't they grand?" asked Cassandra, wincing as Chloe propped up her leg on a pillow.

"Delightful. I'd ask as to how you two managed to supply yourselves with gunpowder, but I don't think I want to know right now. Are you badly hurt, Miss Leighton?" "She burned her leg," said Chloe, finally standing. "And if it had not been for Jessamy's quick action she might have been burned much more."

At this moment they were joined by Mrs. Dauntry, who had finally realized the absence of her daughter and gone to seek her. She stood on the threshold, apparently quite stunned by the damp and disheveled appearance of her daughter and the careless state of dress of Mr. Trevor. In a voice tremoring and faint, she demanded an explanation.

Helping her mother to a chair, Chloe gave the clearest explanation she could. But even knowing all the circumstances did not alleviate Mrs. Dauntry's concern.

"My dear child!" she exclaimed. "I am sure you meant well, but to be alone with Mr. Trevor outside after dark! If such a thing were to be heard of, your reputation! Ruined!" She then sought refuge in her vinaigrette.

"But Mama, we were not alone, Felix and Jessamy, and Miss Leighton were all there too!" expostulated Chloe, her face reddening. "And besides, why should anyone hear of it?"

"You innocent child, you know nothing of the World's gossip and cruelty!" said her mother. "I am afraid you have been most irrevocably compromised."

"It is not so!" protested Chloe. She could not bring herself to look at Mr. Trevor, who was fully engaged in poking at the fire and had his back to the room. "Miss Merriville, I'm sure you will agree with me that nothing improper has occurred!"

"Well, I…" began Frederica, who then paused and considered. She resumed, slowly, "Well, Chloe, I certainly believe that nothing improper has occurred, but your mother does make a point."

Alverstoke looked at his betrothed in some astonishment, but at a glare from her grey eyes held his tongue.

"The world is certainly very unforgiving where the reputation of young ladies is concerned," continued Frederica. "And were the tale to get out, as well it might, considering the number of people present at this party, you might well be considered to be compromised. I am sorry Chloe, but I really think the only thing to be done is for you to marry Mr. Trevor."

Shocked and awed silence swept across the room. Mrs. Dauntry, who had really not considered this solution to the crisis, was quickly trying to find a reason why her daughter shouldn't marry the marquis' secretary in order to save her reputation. Alverstoke was marveling at the lengths to which his beloved would go to promote this match. Chloe, cheeks burning with mortification, was wondering if Mr. Trevor really would marry her for such a ridiculous reason. And as for Mr. Trevor, he was trying to discover if he had just stumbled onto a piece of the greatest fortune or of the greatest ill-luck.

Miss Leighton was the first to speak. "What a jolly idea!" she said, all smiles. "It would be the nicest thing to have Miss Dauntry for an aunt!"

"Well," sighed Mrs. Dauntry, thinking of Diana, "I suppose it really is the only thing to be done. Mr. Trevor, I am sure you will do your duty, and be kind to my poor, dear Chloe!"

"Of course," said Charles mechanically, so stunned by the reality of Mrs. Dauntry's actually wanting him to marry her daughter that his impulse to protest didn't stand a chance. He straightened and attempted to make up for his disgraceful appearance with complete rectitude of manner. "Miss Dauntry, I beg you will accept my hand in marriage."

"I-I-I-oh, dear, but are you sure you wish to marry me?" floundered Chloe. Frederica interrupted before Charles could reply.

"Mrs. Dauntry, I'm sure you will agree that Mr. Trevor should be allowed to make his proposals in private, having already secured your consent? Perhaps you and Alverstoke will stay here with Miss Leighton to await the doctor, and I will just take Mr. Trevor and Chloe into the library. I shall be back directly; Cassandra, don't you dare try to move that leg!"

Before anyone could object, Frederica had whisked Charles and Chloe out of the room, ushered them down the hall, and deposited them in the library, and as quickly as she had brought them there, she departed. When she returned to the invalid, she found that her two youngest brothers had made their appearance and she turned her attention to the task of bringing Felix to some sense of guilt. All in vain, of course.

In the library, meanwhile, Charles Trevor regarded his bride-to-be with a good deal of misgiving. She stared all the time at her shoes, disheveled brown ringlets obscuring her face from his view. She was still wearing his coat, and she pulled it more tightly about her shoulders.

"Is it so very bad, Miss Dauntry?" he said at last. "Perhaps it is not quite what you would have wished, but I swear I'll try to be the best of husbands."

"Oh!" she uttered, looking up and giving him a small smile. "It's not that… I mean, I'm sure you will be an excellent husband. It's just that…" and here her voice trailed off.

"I see," he said, stepping toward her and taking one of her hands in his. "You are very young, and have seen so little of the world. And you ought to at least have had the liberty of choice in the matter."

"Liberty of choice?" she repeated. "But, no, I mean – that is, I am concerned that you have had no liberty of choice in the matter. Mr. Trevor, they are forcing you to marry me, and it is so silly and unjust!"

"Chloe," he said, gathering up his courage. "Nobody is forcing me. I would have waited, of course, as I know my position is not a good one, but I had hoped, I had desired that one day I might ask you to be my wife."

"Really?" she asked, her eyes flying to meet his, and giving him all the encouragement he needed.

"Yes, of course. My darling Chloe, I have loved you for months!"

"Oh!" she exclaimed again. "Well, how very fortunate it all is, for I have also loved you for months, and I was so worried that perhaps you did not love me, or that Mama would forbid the match, or that we'd have to wait years and years…" she stopped and her brow puckered. "Charles, do you think Frederica knew? I know she suspected that I cared for you."

"If she did, it was most unscrupulous of her, but I shall not complain," said Mr. Trevor, taking his love (and his coat) into his arms.

The wedding went off the next morning without any complications and as Alverstoke and his bride settled themselves in the carriage taking them on their bride trip, Frederica said that she hoped Felix and Cassandra would not do anything too horrible in their absence.

"Miss Leighton at least is momentarily incapacitated by her injury, and Septimus Trevor is under strict instruction to keep Felix at his books," replied her husband. "But I do share your conviction that Miss Leighton's introduction into our acquaintance is not likely to stem Felix's desire to blow things up."

"I think she is a charming girl, and am quite satisfied with the acquaintance."

"Frederica," said his lordship, looking at her warily, "if you are contemplating a marriage between that chit and Felix, I absolutely command you to put an end to any such thoughts! We would never sleep safely if the two of them ever joined forces."

"Of course I am not contemplating any such thing; they are but children, after all." His lordship was not reassured, but turned his mind to other things.