Hester's remarks were still fresh in Prudence's mind when Drucilla finally came to a halt in front of her quarry.

"Well, well, well." Drucilla looked her up and down and was clearly unimpressed by Prudence's pale gray gown. "So you are the clever little ghost hunter whom Mrs. Leacock has been telling us about?"

Prudence swallowed a sharp retort and managed a smile. The sub­ject of Mrs. Leacock's ghost had been on everyone's lips that evening. Prudence had been hailed as a clever, extremely brave heroine by a very grateful Mrs. Leacock. Fortunately, as Sebastian had predicted, the ghost, who had indeed been one of Mrs. Leacock's nephews, had recalled nothing of how he had been rendered unconscious. As far as he was concerned, his downfall had been an unseen bump in the carpet that had caused him to trip.

"Good evening, madam," Prudence said politely. "I collect you are Mrs. Fleetwood?"

"Of course I am. And you are the Original who is engaged to Angelstone."

"Yes, madam, I have that honor."

"I suppose I should not be surprised that he has chosen such an odd creature to be his countess. The man has absolutely no respect for the noble title that has come his way by sheerest accident."

"I was under the impression the title came to him in the usual manner, madam. He was next in line for it."

"Bah." Frustrated rage burned in Drucilla's fine brown eyes. "He got it because of the most flukish of circumstances. In actual fact, it should never have gone to him at all."

"It is not fair to say that," Prudence said gently.

"It was bad enough that his irresponsible father ran off with that actress. Jonathan Fleetwood had no business marrying that little light-skirt. If he had not been so stupid, your future husband would have been born the bastard he has taken such pains to become."

Prudence was rapidly losing her patience. "I cannot allow you to insult my future husband's family, madam."

"I am part of his family, you silly chit. If I wish to insult his side of it, I shall do so."

"An interesting point of logic," Prudence acknowledged. "Never­theless, I believe Angelstone's side of the family has borne enough insults, don't you?"

Drucilla's gaze was scathing. "It should be obvious that nothing I say could be as insulting to the family name as what he has done."

"What is that supposed to mean, madam?"

"Merely that it is entirely in keeping with Angelstone's character for him to have selected a completely unsuitable female as his count­ess. The thought of a little countrified nobody like you becoming the next Countess of Angelstone is insupportable."

There were several gasps and murmurs of excited dismay from those hovering around the pair. Prudence overheard them and real­ized that the scene with Drucilla was threatening to turn into a deli­cious morsel for the ton to chew on tomorrow morning over breakfast. Sebastian did not need the added notoriety.

Prudence determinedly brightened her smile as if Drucilla had just paid her a great compliment. "How kind of you to take the trouble to introduce yourself to me, madam. I have been rather curious about the rest of Angelstone's family."

"Have you, indeed?" Drucilla drew herself up and looked down her elegant nose. "The first thing you should know is that the title which Angelstone takes such delight in dragging through the mud at every opportunity should have been my son's. If there is any justice in this world, it will someday come to Jeremy."

"I was under the impression that the question of my husband's right to the title had been settled long ago."

"Rubbish." Drucilla's face turned a dull red. "I wish you joy in your marriage, Miss Merryweather. Perhaps you can produce a ghost or two on your wedding night with which to amuse your husband. You will certainly need to do something unusual to retain his interest for longer than a fortnight. Angelstone is very easily bored."

Drucilla had gone too far and the shocked reactions of those standing nearby indicated that everyone realized it. Prudence knew that when Sebastian heard of this exchange, he would be coldly furi­ous. He was highly unlikely to allow the insult to his fiancee to go unpunished.

She looked into Drucilla's tormented eyes and suddenly felt very sorry for her. The poor woman was only too well aware that she had overstepped the line.

"I appreciate your concern about the family name," Prudence said quietly. "It is obvious you have worked hard to keep it as untarnished as possible under extremely difficult circumstances."

Drucilla stared at her. For a moment she appeared completely taken aback. "I have done my best," she said finally.

"I realize it has not been an easy task," Prudence said. "Please rest assured that I am very concerned about Angelstone's name and repu­tation, too. For the sake of the family, I shall exert every effort to see that scandal is avoided."

Drucilla's gaze flickered in outraged bewilderment. "What sort of game are you playing, Miss Merryweather?"

"I am not playing any games."

"Then we must wait to see what devilish game Angelstone is play­ing." Drucilla turned on her heel and walked off through the crowd.

A strong sense of misgiving went through Prudence as she watched her adversary's rigid back disappear into the throng.

"Well, now. I expect Angelstone will have something to say about this," a voice murmured behind Prudence.

She turned to see Garrick Sutton standing behind her. Sebastian had introduced her to him at the Bowdreys' soiree. He had made it clear he considered Garrick a friend. Prudence noticed that Garrick was one of the few people in the room this evening who was not holding a glass of champagne. She gave him a worried smile.

"I would rather Angelstone did not hear of this little scene," she said.

Garrick's mouth curved wryly. "Not much chance of preventing him from learning about it, I'm afraid. Too many witnesses."

Prudence glanced uneasily around. "I suppose you're right. Well, I shall just have to speak to Angelstone before he does anything rash."

"What's this? You think you can talk him out of exacting a bit of revenge on the Fleetwood clan?"

"There is no need for him to avenge me," Prudence said. "That poor woman has obviously suffered a great deal over the years."

"That poor woman," Garrick said coolly, "was almost single-handedly responsible for seeing to it that the Fleetwoods never ac­cepted Angelstone's mother."

"Nevertheless, Angelstone is the head of the family now. He can afford to be charitable toward the other members of the clan."

"Charitable?" Garrick grinned. "Are we talking about the same Lord Angelstone?"

"This is not a humorous situation, Mr. Sutton."

"No, it's not. But it should prove interesting. Take my advice and stay out of the matter, Miss Merryweather. Angelstone is well able to handle the Fleetwoods. He's been doing it for some time now."

"What do you think he will do about tonight's unfortunate scene?" Prudence asked.

Garrick gave an unconcerned shrug. "Who knows? Angelstone controls much of the family's income. Perhaps he will cut off some of the Fleetwood portion."

"Oh, dear."

"Then again, he may simply content himself with getting Drucilla and her son barred from the best guest lists this Season. Or he might arrange to have his dear cousin kicked out of some of his clubs. No doubt Angelstone will think of some suitable vengeance. He is rather creative."

"He may think of some method of revenge, but I do not believe he will go through with it," Prudence said forcefully.

Garrick cocked an inquiring brow. "Who will stop him?"

"I shall see to it that he behaves sensibly and in a manner befitting the head of the family."

Garrick glanced at a point just beyond Prudence's shoulder. His smile was suddenly one of keen anticipation. "I cannot wait to see how you handle him, Miss Merryweather."

"And just who is she going to handle?" Sebastian asked with bland interest.

Prudence whirled about again and found Sebastian looming over her. He looked magnificent, as usual, in his evening attire. His white cravat was folded with stark simplicity and his well-cut coat revealed the breadth of his shoulders. His golden eyes gleamed as he looked at her.

"You, of course," Garrick said.

"I am delighted to hear it." Sebastian smiled at Prudence. "Come with me, my dear. We shall find ourselves something to eat at the buffet."

"I already had something to eat," Prudence said.

Sebastian took her arm. "Did you? Well, then, you may come along and watch me eat lobster canapes. I want to talk to you."

"Oh, I see." Prudence smiled. "As it happens, I am anxious to have a chat with you, also, my lord."

"Excellent." Sebastian inclined his head toward Garrick. "You will excuse us?"

"Of course." Garrick winked at Prudence. "The best of luck to you, Miss Merryweather."

Prudence frowned at him over her shoulder as Sebastian led her through the crowd.

"What was that all about?" Sebastian asked without any sign of concern.

"Nothing."

"Nothing at all?"

"A small, uh, domestic matter."

"Ah." Sebastian nodded at an acquaintance. "A family matter, then?"

"Well, yes, in a way."

"Whose family?" Sebastian asked evenly. "Yours or mine?"

"My lord, this is hardly the time to talk about it."

"Mine, then," he said. "I collect it must be about the scene my aunt conducted a few minutes before I arrived."

Prudence glowered at him as he drew her to a halt near a table full of hors d'oeuvres. "You already know about it?"