"The details are not necessary," Caroline said, quickly. "Mr. Hardesty has told me enough to satisfy me that it is very important to recover the diary."

Julia smiled gently. "Your aunts deserve to know the full particulars, Mrs. Fordyce."

"No, really," Caroline began.

Julia looked at Emma and Milly. "The long and the short of it is that my brothers and sister and I are not related by blood. We have no family connections to Uncle Wilson except those created by affection and loyalty."

"I don't understand," Emma said, frowning slightly.

"We were all abandoned to our fates in the streets many years ago," Julia continued. "If it had not been for Adam, who rescued each one of us, Jessica, Nathan and I would likely have perished."

Richard put a reassuring hand on her shoulder. Julia reached up and lightly touched his fingers with her own. The aura of intimacy and love that enveloped the pair was unmistakable. Theirs was a love match, Caroline realized. How fortunate they were.

"The truth about our pasts is in that missing diary," Julia concluded. "Adam is determined to find it and destroy it. He is most concerned for Jessica and Nathan, who are both still quite young. Jessica, especially, is vulnerable. She is only eighteen and on the verge of her debut into Society."

"Astonishing," Milly whispered, wide-eyed.

Julia looked at Caroline. "Adam said that he took you to the rooms in Stone Street last night"

Caroline was acutely aware of Emma and Milly watching her in veiled surprise. She tried to suppress the heat that rose in her cheeks. She really was a woman of experience now. She must act like the widow she purported to be. Widows who were having affairs with powerful gentlemen did not allow themselves to be easily embarrassed.

"Yes," she said, trying to keep her tone equally calm and cool. "He told me something of your past there and of how the four of you came to make the acquaintance of Mr. Grendon."

"If Adam trusted you with the secrets of Stone Street, then I have no qualms whatsoever about trusting you,^" Julia said simply.

Wilson reached for another tart. "I agree with Julia" Richard shrugged. "Hardesty has his irritating little quirks but I must admit that he is generally quite accurate when it comes to judging the trustworthiness of others.^" Adam's mouth kicked up at the corner. "Thank you, Southwood. I had no idea that you thought so highly of me." Richard grinned unexpectedly. "You approved me as a husband for Julia, did you not? Obviously you know sound character when you encounter it, even if you do occasionally require convincing evidence."

"You proved your character when you refused to be put off by the truth about my past, Richard," Julia said.

He gripped her shoulder gently. "How could I not fall in love with such a brave young woman?"

Julia smiled, her love clear in her eyes.

Milly dabbed the corner of her eyes with a lace hand-kerchief. "How romantic.^"

Wilson cleared his throat. "I have assured Adam that any gossip that resulted from a revelation of the contents of the diary could be lived down, but he is determined to find the thing, if possible, and burn it. Must admit, it would be simpler if he got rid of it before anyone else reads it. I do worry a bit about how Jessica might fare next Season if there are rumors about her past going around"

"Yes," Richard said, his expression hardening. "And I, too, would much prefer that Julia not become the subject of that sort of gossip"

"Blackmail is essentially a business matter," Wilson assured them. "No one is better at such dealings than Adam."

Julia, Richard and Wilson got into the earl's gleaming coach a short time later. Adam stood with Caroline, Emma and Milly and watched the liveried footman close the door of the vehicle.

"Heavens, what with all the excitement, I almost for-got" Julia leaned out the window to look at Caroline, Emma and Milly. "Richard and I are hosting a ball the night after next. You must all attend, of course"

Alarm spiked through Caroline. "Impossible. Can't possibly make it"

"Other plans? I know this is awfully late notice." Emma shook her head. "Caroline is right. The three of us cannot attend. It is very kind of you to ask."

"But you must come," Julia said. "The rumors of Adam's connection to Caroline will be all over town by then. It will look very odd if you are not there"

"Can't be helped, I'm afraid," Milly declared, not bothering to conceal her regret.

Adam studied the three women in turn.

"Why not?" he asked.

"Well," Caroline began and promptly floundered to a halt.

"Difficult to explain," Emma murmured.

"Gowns," Milly announced baldly. "To be blunt, none of us possesses any dress suitable for such an occasion. True, we have some very nice clothes, thanks to Caroline's new contract, but they are not at all the sort of gowns one would wear to an elegant social affair."

"Yes, of course," Julia replied. "I should have realized. Do not trouble yourselves with the problem of gowns. I shall call for you first thing tomorrow morning, if that will he convenient. We will pay a visit to my dressmaker. She will take care of everything.^"

"But," Caroline managed weakly, "the cost—^"

`The cost will not be a problem, either," Wilson assured them. "Have the dressmaker send the bill to Adam?"But," Caroline said again.

"Consider the gowns as the fee I am paying you for your assistance in the recovery of the diary,^" Adam said.

A business arrangement, Caroline thought. How de-pressing.

TWENTY-FOUR

"I am very uncomfortable with the notion of attending your sister's ball," Caroline said.

It was not the first time she had made the remark.

Following the departure of Julia, Richard and Wilson, she and Adam had avoided further questions from Emma and Milly in favor of taking a hackney cab to this quiet, tree-shaded street. Their intent was to interview Miss Brick and Mrs. Trent, the two women who had been promised a visit by a man who would offer them an excellent investment.

"Stop worrying about the damned gowns," Adam said. A trace of impatience edged his words, probably because this was not the first time he had uttered his assurances. "Julia will see to it that you are perfectly turned out for the ball."

"But three ball gowns and all the trimmings will cost a fortune, Adam."

He looked amused. "Please believe me when I tell you that I am well aware of how much gowns cost. I paid for Julia's for years before Southwood took over the task and I am still paying for Jessica's." The carriage halted. Adam checked a note he had made. "This appears to be the ad-dress we are looking for. I suggest we cease this rather repetitive discussion and proceed with business."

"Repetitive? I am not repetitive. Are you implying that I repeat myself?"

He smiled. "Wouldn't dream of even hinting at such a thing. Are you ready to talk to Miss Brick and Mrs. Trent?"

She forced herself to concentrate on the matter at hand. "Yes, of course. You had better let me ask most of the questions. Remember, they know you as my assistant, Mr. Grove."

"I shall try to remember my place"

They descended from the cab and went up the steps. Adam banged the knocker twice. The door opened a moment later. A young, frowsy-looking housekeeper in a worn apron peered out.

"What can I do for ye?" she asked.

"We are here to see Miss Brick and Mrs. Trent," Adam said. "You may tell them that Mrs. Fordyce and Mr. Grove wish to speak with them"

The housekeeper frowned. "Wait here, please."

She returned a moment later and ushered Adam and Caroline into a tiny, gloomy parlor.

Miss Brick and Mrs. Trent were delighted to see them.