This novel is based in the regency era, 1800s. Jane’s father had warned Jane not to trust Thomas so easily, let alone fall in love with him. As the reasoning for her father's request remained a mystery, Jane struggled to believe Thomas was anything but wonderful.
 
​
"Your eyes reflect those diamonds", murmured Thomas, staring down at the stones on Jane's neck, as her face coloured. Coyly, she glanced down at their interlocked fingers and devoured his features with her eyes.
 
"Thomas." Although the balcony door was open, letting in the breeze, her body started to turn as scarlet as the crackling fire that danced near the lounge. "Why did you bring me here?"

Turning towards the double-bass and harpsichord, Thomas smiled gently and pulled Jane closer to him. “Jane. From the day I met you, I've been unable to take my eyes off you. All the parts of you. Your beauty, knowledge and style enchant and enamour me."
 
Her heart pounding quickly, Jane lifted the bottom of her skirt, revealing the tip of her shoes, and slowly linked her arm with his.
"Shall we dance?" Eyes twinkling, Thomas lead Jane towards the marbled dancefloor.

As they glided across the room, a middle-aged man, who was dealing out cards to two players, waved to Thomas and gestured to have a seat amongst the other men, all different ages.
 
"Not today, Liando."
 
However, the men all erupted into chatter and kept asking Thomas, who eventually sat beside them, questions about his future trip to Paris. Obligingly, Jane sat next to Thomas, her hand just beside his. She grimaced as she watched a young man gurgle down 4 gills of what her father had called, ‘the devil’s ale’. A bitter drink that only the poor and dirty would intake.
 
While politely laughing with the others, her mind danced along to every note the harpsichord played and the slow sways between the respectable couples. A wave of different noises joined up into a murmur, swirling around Jane, slowly becoming easier to ignore with the clinking of glasses and clicking of heels. Her eyes broadening with excitement, Jane slowly grasped and tugged at Thomas's hand, inviting him to join the other dancers.
 
However, she was answered with a firm tug back and release. Jane shivered, trying to meet his distant eyes. Shuffling in her chair, her cheeks reddened, and she lifted a richly coloured wine-filled glass, that was newly served, to her rosy lips.
 
Carefully putting the crystal glass down, Jane cleared her throat and brightly said, "Ah, Piquet! My father talked about this game." She urged her eyes towards the players and betters, but seeing their expressions, lowered her head. Hesitating, she spoke once more, her fingers fiddling with her dress.

"T-though, my father doesn't l-like it anymore." With hopeful eyes, she glanced back at Thomas and her heart fell as he joined in with the mocking laughter.
 
"Doesn't like it, eh? After taking away my money.” The aging man grunted, “Bloody Beaumont.” All the surrounded men burst into laughter, one choking with a sneer tone, while chugging down a glass of French white wine.

"Ah! Richard, back to being moody I see! Though you must admit; that bet was foolish, not to forget, your card was the weakest. " But Thomas stifled back a grin, after noticing Jane fiddling with the loose golden clasp of her bracelet.

"Gentlemen." He took Jane's hand again and straightened his back. "Behave." He gave a stern look towards Richard and stood, guiding Jane towards the centre of the grand ballroom.
​
"Jane- I'm, I'm so sorry. That shouldn't have happened." Jane didn't smile, or look up at him, letting her head drop to admire the marble patterns.
​
"They just forgot how to behave in front of respectable ladies." Gently lifting her head by the chin, Thomas
moved closer to look at Jane in the eyes, until she couldn't resist but to look back. "Jane, I love you. Please forgive me."
​
Muttering a reply, she broke her chin away from Thomas's hand, gathering her trailing skirt in one hand. Leaving him with one outstretched arm, she discreetly slipped away into the gardens.

Strolling behind a large hedge, Jane sighed as she looked off into the distant field. Laughing and chattering could still be heard, yet remarkably fainter. There were small lanterns that were sat upon stone tables, the little fire inside, growing stronger at one moment, and weaker the next.
 
Slowly meandering towards a flower bed, she picked a blackberry and admired it, before tasting its sour juice.
 
Sitting on a wooden bench beside the flower bed, she undid her tightened, half-up hairdo, letting it wave gently in the breeze, tickling her neck. In search for something sweet -to cancel out the acidity that lingered on her tongue- Jane pulled a rose of the brightest red towards her; burying her nose inside the petals before letting it go again. The sweetness had reminded her of the day she saw Thomas. Sweet, charming and holding a bundle of roses.

A crunch of twigs caught her attention, lifting her head, Jane saw Thomas standing in front of her. "May I sit?"

Jane looked back down onto the rose and waited for Thomas to say something more, being too hurt to reply, yet he said nothing. Still unable to bring out a word, her eyes, full of heartache, lifted again to look at him. Nodding towards the bench, Jane placed down the rose beside her, blinking back any developing tears.
 
“I understand why you may be upset.” Thomas leaned against the back of the bench and examined the stars. “I just want you to be happy. It’s good- I suppose- that you shan’t see me again. You deserve a better man than I.” Feeling a hand wrap around his, Thomas turned to see Jane staring at him, eyes wide and tearful.
 
“What do you mean, Thomas? Why are you leaving?”
 
Smiling sadly, Thomas sighed and told Jane about his unwanted trip back to Paris. “My mother, she is sick. My sister has not yet found a suitor, she is unwedded, and my last shilling has gone to her. My father is struggling. I must go back to France to make more money.” Jane shook her head as Thomas declared, "We- we are ruined if I don't go. There isn't even any certainty I shall gain the francs that we need."

Silence kept the two apart. Thomas not shedding a tear, simple closing his eyes; Jane unable to form a word for a few seconds.

"Doctor!"
 
"Pardon?" Thomas Looked back up at Jane.
 
She was eagerly looking up at him, mumbling words before loudly proposing, "A doctor! My mother knows the best one in town: Doctor Goodkind."
 
While Jane sat, almost leaning off the bench, Thomas frowned while his eyes grinned. "No, no. You really shouldn't concern yourse-"

"Your sister! Why can't lovely Josephine wed my brother, Harry? They are similar in age, and we shall all be closer."
There once more was silence as Jane's eyes wandered through the possible solutions. Suddenly, they stood still, and she slowly raised her eyes to look at Thomas. Opening her mouth, to let out a thought that her father most surely would not approve of, but Thomas interrupted.

"Jane. I thank you, but-" Thomas sighed, slowly standing up and stepping away from the bench. "It just won't do."

"And why not?" Standing up, just as quick, Jane pushed her layered skirt behind her and faced Thomas, staring deeply into his eyes with pain and confusion. Thomas looked back at Jane and frowned. "We are not wedded. It is not your job to care for my family. We have failed. You should seek a man, able to support you and give you the opportunity to birth children with no worry of finances. After all, that is what your father wants. Is it not? He doesn't want you to marry a man like I, a man beneath the hatches."
 
Jane's heart dropped as Thomas started to stroll away. "Thomas!" She stumbled forwards, tripping on the thin silk of her dress and grimacing from the stiffness of her stays; took him by the hand. "Take my dowry. I beg of you; we are to be wedded after all. That is what you promised me. What does it matter what others may think? Just...”, taking a breath, she gave him a shaky smile, “As long as we are together.” Her eyes watched desperately, while Thomas reluctantly agreed. Reassuring her that he would gift her the largest diamond when he would see her in her veil.
 
However, when the day came, when Jane handed him £200, his smile turned cruel and eyes- arrogant. His twisted and half-meaningful words were quieter than the early morning of Spring. Her heart throbbed, while her eyes continued to search for him in the horizon line. Never to be seen again.