Roxanne—of all the people to see here tonight! He thought of Roxanne’s beauty and allurements, so wasted on him, for his thoughts kept returning to Caroline. Never did he long for her as now. He needed her laugh, her sharp, biting humor, and her sweet attentions. Why was it that he could not have what he wanted? He should never have sent Caroline away. Just then, he noticed that Annabella Norris was in attendance. The faint hope that she might have some news of Caroline overcame his revulsion of the woman. He crossed the floor and bowed. He found her with two other former acquaintances from the old days—Lord Braxton and his latest paramour, Lady Daphne Glevering. “Are you enjoying Brussels?” Buford asked Braxton after they exchanged the usual greetings. “It has pleasures enough, Buford. A change of scenery is always welcome in the summer,” replied Braxton carelessly. “We in the army are always hungry for news from home.
