Hannah's eyes widened. "Surely you do not believe that Caroline Baylor is the blackmailer?"

"Where do you think she went that night?" "I have no notion." Hannah's mouth twisted. "Caroline Baylor was not the usual sort of companion. She came and went as she pleased. Why are you suddenly concerned with finding her?"

It was not easy to juggle so many secrets. Marcus chose his words carefully. "I have formed a theory that the blackmailer may he a paid companion. Someone who would have once been in a position to know the secrets of both your household and that of the other victim."

"And who is now blackmailing her former employers? Good Lord, I never thought of that." Hannah frowned. "I can certainly envision Caroline resorting to blackmail. But why would she wait so long to do it?"

"We do not even know if she is the one behind this. But it's a place to start." Marcus pulled his watch out of his pocket and glanced at the time. It was two-thirty. He had a three o'clock appointment with Iphiginia. "I must be on my way, Hannah. I shall see that you get the five thousand pounds as soon as possible. My man of affairs can arrange to deliver it."

"It is very kind of you to help me again after all these years," Hannah whispered. "I do not know what I would do without you."

"We are friends. There is no need to thank me." Marcus reached out to open the carriage door.

"Marcus, wait." Hannah touched his arm. "Forgive me for asking, but are you on your way to meet Mrs. Bright?"

Marcus paused. "Why do you ask?" "Speaking as your friend, I must tell you that I have been bearing the oddest rumors. Are they true?"

"The rumors concerning me are always odd, Hannah, you know that."

"Yes, but these are different. I have heard that your new mistress is really quite extraordinary."

Marcus fought back a violent desire to tell her that Iphiginia was not his mistress, that she occupied a far more important role in his life. But there was nothing he could say at this point, not even to Hannah.

He retreated behind one of his well-known rules. Never explain.

"Hannah, you know that I never discuss such matters." He smiled humorlessly. "As the one who taught me how to conduct myself in Society, you would he the first to condemn me for ungentlemanly behavior were I to make any comment at all on the subject of my association with Mrs. Bright."

Hannah quickly withdrew her gloved hand from his sleeve. "I taught you how to eat with the proper fork and how to dance the waltz, but I certainly did not teach you how to become a figure of legend. You managed that on your own with your famous rules and your enigmatic ways.

"Do not concern yourself with my affairs, Hannah. I shall take care of myself."

"Yes, of course. I am sorry. I did not mean to pry. You are the best friend I have, Marcus, I cannot help but worry about you."

"It is your husband who should he your best friend now, not I." Marcus opened the door and got out of the carriage.

Adam Manwaring set his papers down, on Iphiginia's library desk and took a scat. He looked intently at Amelia. "Before I give you the results of my inquiries concerning Lady Guthrie's old companion, I should first tell you that I have talked to Mr. Dodgson."

Amelia tensed. "I trust that you informed him that he is not welcome to join the investment pool?"

"I did." Adam's expression was surprisingly grim. "And I told him why."

"Excellent," Iphiginia said. She glanced at Amelia and thought she saw a brief flicker of satisfaction in her cousin's eyes.

"I informed Dodgson that the investment pool is composed primarily of widows and spinsters, many of whom have worked as governesses and companions," Adam said. "I told him he no doubt understood why such ladies would not wish to do business with a man of his unfortunate reputation."

"What did he say?" Iphiginia asked. Adam shrugged. "I-le was incensed naturally. Claimed he had been grossly insulted and insisted on a meeting with the principals so that he could explain the misunderstanding."

Amelia looked down at her folded hands. "What did you tell him?"

"Simply that the principals had no intention of meeting with him," Adam said. "He then said that he had no recollection of any improper incident involving a young female employee in his or anyone else's household."

"Did he say that?" Amelia asked softly. Adam raised his brows. "He then proceeded to undermine his entire defense by flying into an apoplectic rage. He said everyone knew that the sort of females who became governesses were all bent on seducing the gentlemen in the households in which they were employed. He said that they were not to he trusted."

Amelia exchanged a sharp glance with Iphiginia., "He specifically mentioned governesses?"

"Yes," Adam said. "He did." "Then he most certainly does remember," Amelia whispered.

"Obviously." Iphiginia hurried to change the topic. "So much for that issue. Let us get on to the matter of Aunt Zoe's companion."

Adam reluctantly returned his attention to his papers. "As to that, I'm afraid I discovered very little information of a useful nature. Miss Todd died some five years ago."

"She's dead?" Iphiginia sat forward abruptly. She was so intent on Adam's announcement that she barely noticed the sound of a carriage in the street.

Adam glanced up from his notes with a quizzical frown. "She was nearly seventy. Did you know the lady?"

"No. No, I did not." Iphiginia recovered her aplomb. "But an acquaintance of mine is under the impression that she is still very much alive. This news will certainly come as a surprise. Did you learn anything else?"

Adam looked at his notes. "Miss Todd died a spinster. She was horn in a small village in Sussex and worked as a governess or companion most of her life."

"A dead end," Iphiginia murmured. "I told him so." Adam looked at her. "I beg your pardon?"

"It's not important," Iphiginia said. "Is that all of it?" "Yes, other than the fact that she spent most of her career with the-"

A crisp knock on the library door interrupted Adam before he could complete his sentence.

Iphiginia glanced at the clock. One minute until three. She glanced out the window and saw the black phaeton that had halted in front of her door. Her pulse quickened. Anticipation heightened all of her senses.

his was madness, she thought. She could not allow Marcus to affect her so acutely. She struggled to infuse her voice with an appropriately unconcerned tone.

The library door opened. Mrs. Shaw appeared. "Yes, Mrs. Shaw?" Iphiginia inquired.

"The Earl of Masters is here to see you, madam. Are you home?"

"Of course she's home. Any idiot can see that." Marcus strode into the library without waiting for the housekeeper to finish announcing him in a proper fashion. "Good afternoon, Mrs. Bright. Miss Farley."

"My lord," Iphiginia said very coolly. "You're early." "By one minute. I trust you will forgive me." Marcus walked toward the desk, took her hand, and brought it to his mouth. Amusement gleamed in his eyes, as though he was well aware of the chaotic condition of Iphiginia's senses.

"Allow me to introduce my man of affairs, Mr. Manwaring," Iphiginia said.

Marcus gave Adam a narrow look. "Manwaring." "Sir." Adam rose politely. "I was just leaving."

"Were you?" Marcus asked in an encouraging tone. "Do not allow me to delay you."

Adam flushed.

Iphiginia scowled at the ill-concealed rudeness. "Mr. Mainwaring has not quite finished his business, have you, Mr. Manwaring?"

Adam gathered up his notes. "As I said, there isn't anything else to add, except that Miss Todd was associated with the Wycherly Agency throughout most of her professional career."

"Damn," Marcus said very quietly.

Iphiginia looked at him, surprised by his reaction. "Is something wrong, my lord?"

"No." Marcus wandered over to the window, "Something just occurred to me, that's all."

Iphiginia turned back to Adam. "Thank you very much, Mr. Manwaring. You've been most helpful, as always. That will be all for today."

Marcus spoke without turning around. "A moment, Manwaring."

"Yes, my lord?"

"Did you inquire after Miss Todd at the Wycherly Agency?"

"Yes, I did, as a matter of fact," Adam said. "I spoke with Mrs. Wycherly herself yesterday. She has owned and operated the agency for over twenty years. She was the one who informed me that Miss Todd had-died five years ago."

"I see."

Iphiginia glared at Marcus's broad back. Adam was her man of affairs, not his. "Would you see Mr. Manwaring out, Amelia?"

Amelia rose quickly. "Yes, of course."

Adam blushed. "It's not necessary. I can see myself out, Miss Farley."

"I shall be happy to escort you to the door, Mr. Manwaring," Amelia said.

"If you insist."

Iphiginia waited until the library door had closed behind the pair. Then she chuckled with satisfaction. "Those two were made for each other, you know."

"Which two?" "my cousin and Mr. Manwaring. I have every hope that they will soon realize that they are an ideal couple. They have so much in common in terms of personality and intellect."

"What utter nonsense." Marcus swung around with an impatient air. "Do you fancy yourself a matchmaker?"

"You'll see," Iphiginia said in a very superior tone. "I have an instinct for these things."

"Rubbish. You have an instinct for creating trouble." She glowered. "What is wrong with you today, sir?

"Are you still brooding about what happened at the Pettigrews? I told you, nothing has changed. All will be well."