Sebastian raised his brows. "What sort of favor?"

"Would you teach me how to tie a cravat the way you tie yours?"

Sebastian smiled. "I'll go one step further. After I have introduced you at Witt's and Manton's, I shall introduce you to my tailor."

"Nightingale? I say." Trevor was truly awed. "He is far more exclu­sive than Witt."

"With good reason." Sebastian eyed Trevor's pink waistcoat. "His craft is infinitely more important to a gentleman."

Prudence watched Drucilla Fleetwood bear down on her across the crowded ballroom. She braced herself for the encounter. It would have been difficult to miss Sebastian's aunt, even if someone had not already pointed her out.

Drucilla was an impressively stylish figure in her marigold silk gown. There were matching plumes in her fashionably dressed hair. The diamonds in her ears sparkled as brilliantly as the crystals in the chandeliers.

It was obvious Drucilla had been a beautiful woman in her youth. She was still quite attractive, Prudence thought. It was unfortunate that her striking features were set in such unpleasant lines. Drucilla had the expression of a woman who has committed herself to an ex­tremely distasteful task.

Hester had warned Prudence barely an hour ago that Drucilla was expected to put in an appearance at the Craigmore ball.

"The on dit is that she is not at all pleased to hear of Angelstone's engagement," Hester had explained. "She was rather hoping that some dreadful accident would befall the earl or that he wotild get himself conveniently killed in a duel before he got around to mar­rying. The last thing she wants to see him do is produce an heir and secure the line for that branch of the family."

Prudence had blushed furiously at the mention of an heir. "I'm sure it is none of her business. In any event, Angelstone and I will not be getting married for some time yet. There is certainly no rush. We intend to enjoy a very lengthy engagement."

Hester gave her an odd look. "Do you, indeed? I am surprised to hear that, my dear."

"Why?"

"Because I cannot conceive of Angelstone tolerating a long en­gagement. Having made his choice in brides, a man of his nature is bound to be impatient to get on with the business."

Prudence stared at her in astonishment. "Hester, are you by any chance anxious to marry me off?"

"To be perfectly blunt, my dear, now that the engagement has been announced, I feel it would be best to settle the matter as quickly as possible."

"You mean before Angelstone changes his mind?" Prudence had inquired dryly.

"Precisely. The man is dangerous. I have told you that. One cannot be entirely certain of his intentions. I will feel much more secure once you are wed."

"You are so eager to see me married to the Fallen Angel, then?"

Hester had looked thoughtful. "I believe you will be safe enough in his care. Angelstone will look after his own."

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."