Prudence looked at him in surprise. "Why will it evaporate? I thought you allowed him to keep the investment company intact on condition that he left the country."

"I did." Sebastian smiled his coldest smile. "For all the good it will do him. When word gets about that he has left England and that the only other principal in the firm is mad Bloomfield, the value of the shares will fall swiftly. Within a few months they will be worthless. The company will be forced into bankruptcy."

Jeremy stared at him. "I had not realized that, sir. You mean Curling will not be able to hold on to his fortune?"

"Not for long. The rumors that Bloomfield is in charge will surely destroy the confidence of the creditors."

"Excellent." Jeremy smiled with satisfaction. "So that is what you meant by destroying him. Very clever, if I may say so, Angelstone."

Prudence grinned proudly. "Angelstone is a very clever man."

Sebastian quirked a brow at her. "Thank you, my dear."

Jeremy frowned. "I wonder if Curling is aware of his ultimate fate."

"I imagine he will comprehend the extent of his punishment soon enough," Sebastian said. "His bankers will no doubt keep him in­formed of his falling fortunes."

Jeremy looked at him in alarm. "Do you think he will attempt to return to England, then?"

"To face a host of furious creditors and the distinct possibility of being thrown into debtors' prison?" Sebastian asked. "I sincerely doubt it. But if he does, we will deal with the problem."

"So it's finished."

"I believe so," Sebastian said.

Prudence chuckled. "I do hope the two of you are aware of the stares you are drawing."

Jeremy grinned. "I know. People are not accustomed to seeing Angelstone chatting in a friendly manner with the members of his family. Oh, by the by, that reminds me, sir. I told Mama that you saved me from being arrested for murder."

Sebastian choked on a mouthful of champagne. "Bloody hell. I trust you did not tell her the entire tale."

"Of course not," Jeremy said seriously. "I knew she would have fits if I told her everything. I explained that everyone knew about the feud between you and the rest of us and that a murderer had attempted to capitalize on that information in order to cover his own tracks."

"What else did you tell her?" Sebastian asked ominously.

"Only that you had used your power to make certain Bow Street would take no interest in me."

"Hmm."

Prudence saw the blurry outline of a familiar figure forging through the crowd. She raised her glass to her eye again. "Speaking of Mrs. Fleetwood, here she comes now."

"Good lord," Sebastian said. "Am I going to be obliged to spend the entire evening in the company of my relatives?"

"I'm certain Mama only wishes to apologize to you, sir," Jeremy assured him.

"No doubt that is exactly what she intends." Prudence fixed Sebas­tian with a warning look. "The least you can do is be gracious, Angel-stone."

Sebastian smiled grimly. "If Aunt Drucilla actually undertakes an apology, I will eat my cravat."

Drucilla came to a halt in front of Sebastian. "There you are, Angelstone."

"Yes, madam, here I am. What of it?"

"Behave yourself," Prudence hissed under her breath.

Drucilla ignored the byplay. She glowered at Sebastian. "My son tells me that you have done your duty by the family regarding a certain matter that might have become potentially embarrassing."

A familiar unholy amusement sprang to life in Sebastian's eyes. "You may rest assured, madam, that Jeremy is in no immediate dan­ger of hanging."

"I should hope not. He's a Fleetwood, after all. No Fleetwood has been hung since Cromwell." Drucilla snapped her fan closed in a crisp, elegant gesture. "Jeremy also tells me that you were not the one who was attempting to implicate him in the deaths of those two men."

"Jeremy explained that to you?" Sebastian asked.

"Yes, he did."

"And you believed him, madam?"

Prudence drove her elbow into his ribs and smiled at Drucilla. "Angelstone is teasing you, madam. As you know, he has a very un­usual sense of humor."

"Ouch." Sebastian gingerly fingered his ribs. "I am not laughing now, madam," he said through his teeth.

Drucilla gave Prudence a quelling glance. "Really, my dear, that sort of foolish play is hardly suitable to the ballroom."

"I wasn't playing," Prudence murmured. She was aware that more and more heads were starting to turn.

Prudence could feel the anticipation rise like a surging wave all around her. She could also feel Sebastian readying his next taunting remark to his aunt. She prayed for deliverance and it arrived in the shape of Hester.

Having apparently decided, along with everyone else in the room, that social disaster was looming, Hester made a bold bid to forestall it. She gave Prudence an anxious glance and then turned to Drucilla with an affected start of surprise.

"Oh, hello, Drucilla," Hester said. "Didn't see you standing there. How are you this evening?"

"I am fine, thank you, Hester. I was just about to speak to Pru­dence about her gown."

"Lovely, isn't it?" Hester said, delighted with what seemed to be a safe topic. "That particular shade of lavender is all the rage at the moment, you know."

"It makes her look like a washed-out dishrag," Drucilla said. "And all those ruffles are perfectly ridiculous on her." She frowned at Pru­dence. "I see you have not yet found a new modiste."

Prudence felt herself start to turn pink. She glanced helplessly at Sebastian, but he showed no signs of offering assistance. "No, madam, I have not had time. But I intend to do so at the earliest opportunity."

"There is no help for it, I shall have to introduce you to mine," Drucilla said grandly. "I do believe she might be able to do something with you. You have possibilities."

Prudence's heart sank. She was acutely aware of the gleam in Se­bastian's eyes. She managed a polite smile. "That is very kind of you, madam."

"Someone's got to take you in hand. You are the Countess of Angelstone, after all. It seems I shall have to take it upon myself to educate you. Certain things are expected from the wife of the head of the family."

"Yes, of course," Prudence said weakly.

"I shall arrange to go shopping with you at the earliest opportu­nity." Drucilla turned on her heel and sailed off through the crowd.

Hester fluttered her fan with an air of excitement. "Dear me, Pru­dence, she may have a point. Now that I consider the matter, I'm not at all certain lavender and violet are particularly flattering on you."

"You're the one who chose these colors," Prudence said, thor­oughly disgruntled.

"Yes, I know, and they are extremely fashionable. Nevertheless, I feel we should bow to Drucilla's expertise." Hester examined Sebas­tian's austerely elegant black and white attire. Then she glanced at

Jeremy, who was equally striking. "The Fleetwoods do have a certain natural instinct for style. You may as well take advantage of it."

Sebastian smiled blandly at Prudence. "Quite right, my dear. Put yourself in my aunt's hands and do not concern yourself with the cost. No price is too high to pay to see how you fare on a shopping expedi­tion with her."

Prudence scowled at him. He knew very well she was already dreading the experience. "Don't you dare laugh at me, Angelstone, or I shall do something drastic, I swear I will."

"You must forgive me, my dear." Sebastian's eyes held the devil's own mirth. "But it would appear that a whole new world of entertain­ment is about to open up for me."

"Really, Sebastian."

"You were the one who wanted peace in the family, madam wife. Well, you've got your fondest wish. It will be vastly amusing to see you deal with the old witch. I beg your pardon, I mean with Aunt Drucilla."