"Thank you, Lady Stoneridge." He shook hands and jumped lightly to the pavement. "I hope I may return the courtesy. Would you do me the honor of driving with me tomorrow?" His smile was as inviting as he knew how to make it. "I'd dearly like to see you handle my chestnuts."

A triumphant rush of excitement swept through Theo. The man was playing into her hands. "I should be delighted, sir," she responded with a warm smile, and drew back into the stream of traffic.

Could it have been Neil Gerard in the Fisherman's Rest?

But of course it must have been. It explained that strange inkling she'd had that the man was familiar. It explained almost everything. The puzzle pieces tumbled in her head and formed the picture. Gerard was behind the attacks on Sylvester, and Sylvester knew it. And it was all to do with Vimiera. But what and how?

She drew rein outside her mother's house and jumped down, handing the reins to her groom. "Stable them in the mews here, Billy. I shan't be needing them for several hours."

"Right y'are, Lady Theo." The groom led the horses away, and Theo ran up the steps to the house.

What had happened at Vimiera? Sylvester couldn't remember, but whatever it was, it concerned Neil Gerard. And Gerard would provide the answer… somehow. She was driving with him tomorrow, a golden opportunity if she could think how to use it.

The door opened under her brisk knock. "Morning, Dennis." She greeted the butler with an ebullient smile. "Is Lady Belmont up and about yet?"

"Her ladyship and the young ladies are in the breakfast parlor, Lady Stoneridge."

"Don't announce me." She tossed her whip onto a chair and bounded down the corridor at the rear of the hall, stripping off her gloves as she went. "Good morning, everyone." She flung open the door to the small parlor at the back of the house, looking out on a square walled garden.

"Theo!" Lady Belmont looked up in surprise. "You're abroad early."

Theo bent to kiss her mother. "Yes. The witches are still abed, so I took the opportunity to escape… No, don't scold," she said, seeing her mother's disapproval "I only say it in private, not to their faces. I am starving," she continued almost without a breath. "I left before breakfast."

"I came to Curzon Street yesterday, but Foster said you were with Stoneridge and I couldn't see you," Rosie stated, sounding a trifle aggrieved, a piece of toast halfway to her mouth.

"Yes, Sylvester was indisposed," Theo said. "He gets these hideous headaches, Mama. He had one at Stoneridge, if you remember."

"Poor man," Elinor said compassionately. "I've heard of such curses. He's better now, I trust"

"He was sleeping peacefully when I left." She sat down at the table. "Emily and Clarissa, I need you to come on an errand with me. May we take the barouche, Mama? I drove myself here, but the curricle isn't comfortable for three."

"What errand?" Emily inquired, passing her sister the coffeepot.

"It's a secret," Theo said, pouring coffee. "But I need you both to come for moral support."

"Theo, what mischief are you planning?" Elinor demanded, recognizing the aura of energy and purpose surrounding her daughter, whose eyes and skin were aglow.

"No mischief," Theo said with an innocent smile, helping herself to a slice of ham and buttering a roll.

"Lieutenant Fairfax, my lady," the butler intoned before Elinor could respond to this insouciant reassurance.

"I trust I'm not intruding, Lady Belmont." Edward came in on the announcement, his eyes immediately searching out his betrothed. "I know it's early, but -"

"You couldn't keep away," Rosie finished for him matter-of-factly. "I don't know why you don't live here, Edward. I'm sure it's more comfortable than your lodgings, and it would save you a deal of traveling time."

"Rosie!" protested Emily. "You make it sound as if Edward isn't welcome."

"Oh, but of course he is," Rosie said placidly, taking another piece of toast. "It was only an observation. Clarry's knight is the same. He's practically moved in, too."

"That's enough, child," Elinor rebuked her. "Sit down, Edward. You know we're always pleased to see you."

Edward sat down next to Theo, observing with a grin, "You managed to escape the tabbies."

"Edward, for shame!" Elinor protested. "Such an example for Rosie!"

"Oh, I don't mind," Rosie said. "Did the dragons really make Mary go green? Clarry said she was quite pea-colored when she came downstairs."

"That's enough. I don't want to hear another word about the Gilbraiths," Elinor said in a tone that they all knew meant business.

"Very well, Mama," Theo said with a placating smile. "But will you invite her to go visiting with you or something… just to relieve me of a little of the burden?"

Elinor's expression so clearly indicated how little she relished such a prospect that her daughters burst into peals of laughter, and accusations of "hypocrite" flew around the table. Elinor shook her head ruefully. "I suppose we should all take a turn."

Edward took the cup of coffee Emily poured him. "Well, I hope you'll excuse me this morning. I was hoping to persuade Emily to drive with me in the park after breakfast."

"Oh, it'll have to be later," Theo said. "Emily and Clarry are coming on an errand with me."

"Oh, well, I'll accompany you, then."

Theo chuckled. "I don't think you want to do that, Edward. You'll be most uncomfortable." She turned to her mother. "We may have the barouche, mayn't we?"

Elinor sighed. "I suppose so, if you promise you're not up to some mischief."

"Mama, I am a married woman," Theo declared loftily. "How could you possibly think such a thing?"

"Very easily," Elinor said wryly.

"Well, I have to be back by eleven o'clock, because Jonathan is coming to finish his portrait," Clarissa said. "He's going to hang it in the hall of his mother's house, and she's going to give a soiree so that people may see it. Once they realize how talented he is, he's bound to get a host of commissions."

"I haven't seen it yet," Theo said. "Do you like it?"

Clarissa blushed. "He won't let me see it, not until it's finished."

"Well, if I were you, I'd just take the cloth off and have a peek when he's not here," Rosie declared.

"That's cheating," Clarissa exclaimed.

"I don't see why. It's a picture of you, not anyone else, so it sort of belongs to you. At least that's what I think."

"You have the same unorthodox attitude to conventional rules as your sister," Edward said pointedly.

Theo glanced at him. They'd had no chance to talk in private about the disastrous events at the Fisherman's Rest. He seemed to have forgiven her for involving him, but she knew he was curious to know what had transpired between herself and Stoneridge. She would tell him later, when she explained about the other scheme percolating in her mind. She'd need his involvement there too, but his role wouldn't require physical intervention. Once she'd explained her suspicions and her plan to him, she was convinced he would give her his wholehearted support, as he'd always done.

She leaned across and pecked him on the cheek. "Don't be stuffy."

"Someone needs to be where you're concerned," Edward said, burying his nose in his coffee cup to hide his reluctant grin.

Theo, perfectly satisfied with this response, pushed back her chair. "If Clarry has to be back in two hours, and I have to be back to look after my mama-in-law, we'd better get moving. I've no idea how long this is going to take."

A renewed chorus of What? rose round the table, but she just grinned mischievously and went into the hall to give order for the barouche to be brought around.

Fifteen minutes later the three of them were on their way to a discreet establishment on Bond Street.