Seduction

THIRTEEN

When Sophy opened her eyes the next morning the first thing she saw was the scarf of her gypsy costume draped across the pillow next to her. The diamond bracelet Julian had given her yesterday was lying on top of the scarf, its rows of silver-white stones sparkling in the early light. Under both was a large package wrapped in paper. A note had been tucked between the bracelet and the scarf.

Sophy sat up slowly, her eyes never leaving the small offering on the pillow. So Julian had known who she was last night at the masquerade ball. Had he been teasing her with all that talk about wanting to become lucky at love or had he been trying to tell her something, she wondered.

She reached over and plucked the note off the pillow. Unfolding it, she quickly read the short message inside.

My Dearest Wife:

I was told last night by a reliable source that my fortune was in my own hands. But that is not altogether true.

Whether or not he desires it, a man's fortune as well as his honor, frequently rest in the hands of his wife. I am convinced that in my case both of these valuable possessions are safe with you. I have no talent for scribbling sonnets or poems but I would have you wear this bracelet occasionally as a token of my esteem. And, perhaps, when you have occasion to examine the other small gift, you will think of me.

Julian's initials were scrawled boldly across the bottom of the crisp page. Sophy slowly refolded the note and stared at the glittering diamond bracelet. Esteem was not exactly love but she supposed it did imply some degree of affection.

Memories of Julian's heat and strength enveloping her in the darkness last night swept through her. She told herself not to be misled by the passion he aroused in her. Passion was not love, as Amelia had discovered to her cost.

But she had more than passion from Julian, if this note was to be believed, Sophy told herself. She was unable to quell the burst of hope that welled up within her. Esteem implied respect, she decided. Julian might be angry about the incident at dawn yesterday, but perhaps he was trying to tell her he respected her in some ways.

She got out of bed and carefully placed the bracelet in her jewelry box next to Amelia's black ring. She must be realistic about her marriage, Sophy told herself firmly. Passion and esteem were all very well as far as they went but they were not enough. Julian had made it clear last night that he wanted her to trust him with her love but he had also made it clear he would never trust any woman with his own heart.

As she turned away from the jewelry case she remembered the other package on the bed. Full of curiosity, she went back across the room, picked up the heavy gift, and hefted it. It felt like a book, she decided and that thought excited her in a way the bracelet had failed to do. Eagerly she unwrapped the brown paper covering.

Joy bubbled up inside her as she read the author's name on the impressive, leather-bound volume in her hands. She could not believe it. Julian had given her a magnificent copy of Nicholas Culpeper's famous herbal, English Physician. She could hardly wait to show it to Old Bess. It was a complete guide to all the helpful herbs and plants that were native to England.

Sophy flew across the room to ring for Mary. When the girl knocked at the door a few minutes later she gaped to see her mistress already half-dressed.

"Here, ma'am, what's the rush? Let me help you. Oh, do be careful, ma'am or you'll split the fine seams of that dress." Mary bustled about, taking charge of the dressing process. "Is somethin' amiss?

"No, no, Mary, nothing is amiss. Is his lordship still in the house?" Sophy leaned down to tug on her soft leather slippers.

"Yes, ma'am, I believe he's in the library. Shall I send word you wish to see him?"

"I'll tell him myself. That's fine, Mary. I'm dressed. You may go now.

Mary looked at her in shock. "Impossible. I can't let you go out o' this room with your hair down like that ma'am. It wouldn't be right. Sit still for a minute and I'll put it up for you."

Sophy surrendered, muttering impatiently as Mary put up her hair with two silver combs and several strategically placed pins. When the last curl was in place, she bounded up from the dressing table chair, grabbed the precious herbal and practically ran out the door, down the hall and down the stairs.

Arriving breathless at the library door, she knocked once and then burst into the room without waiting for a response.

"Julian. Thank you. Thank you so much. You are so kind. I do not know how to convey my gratitude. This is the finest gift anyone has ever given me, my lord. You are the most generous husband in England. No, the most generous husband in the whole world."

Julian slowly closed the journal he was working on and got cautiously to his feet. His bemused eyes went first to her bare wrist and then to the book Sophy was clutching to her bosom. "I see no sign of the bracelet so I assume it is the Culpeper that is causing all this commotion?"

"Oh, yes, Julian. It is magnificent. You are magnificent. How can I ever thank you?" Impulsively Sophy darted across the room to stand on tiptoe in front of him. Still holding the book very tightly she gave her husband a quick, shy kiss and then stepped back. "Thank you, my lord. I shall treasure this book for my entire life. And I promise I will be exactly the sort of wife you want. I will not cause you any more trouble at all. Ever."

With a last brilliant smile, Sophy turned and hurried from the room, unaware of the silver comb that slipped from her hair and fell to the carpet.

Julian watched the door close behind her and then, very thoughtfully, he touched his cheek where Sophy had kissed him. It was, he realized, the first spontaneous caress she had ever given him. He walked across the room and picked up the silver comb. Smiling very slightly, he carried it back to his desk and put it down where he could see it as he worked.

The Culpeper, he decided with deep satisfaction, had obviously been a stroke of genius. He owed Fanny for the recommendation and he made a mental note to thank her. His smile broadened as he acknowledged ruefully that he could have saved the six thousand pounds he'd spent on the bracelet. Knowing Sophy, she would probably lose it the first time she wore it—if she remembered to wear it.

Sophy was in high spirits that afternoon when she sent a message to Anne and Jane that she wished to see them. They arrived around three. Anne, vibrant in a melon-colored gown, swept into the drawing room with her customary energy and enthusiasm. She was followed by a more sedately dressed Jane. Both women undid the strings of their bonnets as they seated themselves and looked at their hostess with expectation.

"Wasn't last night lovely?" Anne said cheerfully as tea was served. "I cannot tell you how much I enjoy masquerades."

"That's because you take great pleasure in fooling others," Jane observed. "Especially men. One of these days your liking for that pastime will get you into serious trouble."

"Rubbish. Pay no attention to her, Sophy. She is in one of her lecturing moods. Now, tell us why you wished to see us on such short notice. I do hope you have some excitement for us."

"Personally," Jane remarked, picking up her cup and saucer, "I would prefer a bit of peace and quiet for a while."

"As it happens, I have a very serious matter to discuss with both of you. Relax, Jane. I do not seek any further excitement. Just a few answers." Sophy picked up the muslin handkerchief in which she had wrapped the black ring. She untied the knot and let the fabric fall away to reveal the contents.

Jane leaned forward curiously. "What a strangely designed ring."

Anne reached out to touch the embossed surface. "Very odd. And very unpleasant looking. Do not tell me your husband gave you this thing? I would have thought Ravenwood had better taste than that."

"No. It belonged to my sister." Sophy stared down at the ring lying in her palm. "It was given to her by a man. It is my goal to find him. As far as I am concerned, he is guilty of murder." She told them the full story in short, crisp sentences.

When she was finished, Anne and Jane sat staring at her for a long moment. Predictably enough it was Jane who responded first.

"If what you say is true, the man who gave your sister that ring is most certainly a monster but I do not see what you can do, even if you manage to identify him. There are, unfortunately, many such monsters running around Society and they all get away with murder."

Sophy's chin lifted. "I intend to confront him with his own evil. I want him to know that I am aware of who and what he is."

"That could be very dangerous," Jane said. "Or, at the very least, embarrassing. You can prove nothing. He will simply scoff at your accusations."

"Yes, but he will be forced to realize that the Countess of Ravenwood knows who he is," Anne said thoughtfully. "Sophy is not without some power these days. She is becoming quite popular, you know. And she has the rather sizable degree of influence that comes from being Ravenwood's wife. If she chose to exercise a measure of her power she might very well be able to ruin the owner of that ring socially. That would be a serious punishment for any man of the ton."

"Assuming he belongs to polite Society," Sophy amended. "I know nothing about him, except that he was most likely one of Elizabeth's lovers."

Jane sighed. "Gossip has it that is a very long list."

"It can be shortened to include only the man who wore this ring," Sophy said.

"But first we must find out something about it. How do we go about it?" Anne asked, her enthusiasm for the project obviously growing rapidly.

"Wait, both of you," Jane implored quickly. "Think before you leap into another adventure. Sophy, you have only just recently experienced Ravenwood's anger. If you ask me, you got off quite lightly. Are you really so eager to arouse his wrath all over again?"

"This has nothing to do with Ravenwood," Sophy said forcefully. Then she smiled, remembering the herbal. "Besides, he has forgiven me for what happened yesterday morning."

Jane looked at her, astonished. "Has he really? If so, then he is far more tolerant than his reputation would lead one to believe."

"My husband is not the devil everyone thinks him," Sophy said coolly. "But to return to the business of finding the owner of the ring. The fact is, I do not intend to bother Ravenwood with this. It is a task I set for myself before I ever agreed to marry him. Lately I have foolishly allowed myself to become distracted by… by other things. But I am finished with those unimportant matters now and I am going to get on with this."

Anne and Jane were both studying her intently.

"You are very serious about this, aren't you?" Jane finally asked.

"Finding the owner of this ring is the most important task in my life at the moment. It is a goal I have set for myself." Sophy looked at her friends. "This time I cannot take the chance that one of you might feel obliged to warn Ravenwood about what I am doing. If you feel you cannot support me fully, I ask that you leave now."

"I would not dream of leaving you to conduct such a search alone," Anne declared.

"Jane?" Sophy smiled gently. "I will understand if you feel you should not be a part of this."

Jane's mouth thinned. "You have cause to question my loyalty, Sophy. I do not blame you. But I would like to prove to you that I truly am your friend. I will help you in this."

"Good. Then it is settled." Sophy held out her hand. "Let us seal the bargain."

Solemnly they all three clasped hands in a silent pledge and then they sat back to stare at the ring.

"Where do we begin?" Anne finally asked after a moment's close thought.

"We began last night," Sophy said and told them about the man in the black hooded cape and mask.

Jane's eyes were full of shock. "He recognized the ring? Warned you about it? Dear God, Sophy, why did you not tell us?"

"I did not want to say anything until I had your solemn promise to support me in this endeavor."

"Sophy, this means there really is something mysterious to discover about this ring." Anne picked it up and examined it closely. "Are you certain your dancing partner said nothing else? Just that the wearer could count on a most unusual type of excitement?"

"Whatever that means. He said we would meet again and then he left."

"Thank heavens you were wearing a disguise," Jane said with great depth of feeling. "Now that you know there is, indeed, some mystery attached to the ring, you must not wear it in public."

Sophy frowned. "I agree I probably ought not to wear it until we learn more about it. However, if wearing it publicly is the only way to uncover the mystery, then I may have to do so."

"No," Anne said, showing unusual caution. "I agree with Jane. You must not wear it. At least not without consulting us first. Do you promise?"

Sophy hesitated, glancing from one concerned face to the other. "Very well," she agreed reluctantly. "I will talk to you two first before wearing the ring again. Now, then, we must think about this whole matter and decide just what information we have."

"The man in the black cape implied the ring was known to certain people such as himself," Anne said slowly. "Which implies a club or group of some sort."

"There is also the implication that there is more than one ring," Sophy said, trying to remember the man's exact words. "Perhaps it is the symbol of a secret society."

Jane shuddered. "I do not like the sound of this."

"But what kind of society?" Anne asked quickly, ignoring her friend's qualms. "We need to ascertain its goals before we can figure out what sort of man would wear such a ring."

"Perhaps we can learn what type of secret society would use this sort of jewelry if we can discover the meaning of the symbols embossed on the ring." Sophy turned the black band of metal between her fingers, studying the triangle and the animal head. "But how do we go about doing that?"

There was a long pause before Jane spoke up with obvious reluctance. "I can think of one place to start."

Sophy looked at her in surprise. "Where?"

"Lady Fanny's library."

Three days later Sophy flew down the stairs, her bonnet in one hand and her reticule in the other. She hurried across the hall and was almost to the door, which a footman was hastening to open, when Julian appeared in the doorway of the library. She knew at once from the cool intent expression in his eyes that he wanted to speak to her. She stifled a groan and stopped long enough to give him a bright smile.

"Good afternoon, my lord. I see you are busily at work today," she said smoothly.

Julian folded his arms and leaned one shoulder against the doorjamb. "Going out again, Sophy?"

"Yes, my lord." Sophy put the bonnet on her head and started to tie the ribbons. "As it happens, I've promised Lady Fanny and Harriett that I would visit them this afternoon."

"You've called on them every afternoon this week."

"Only the past three afternoons, my lord."

He inclined his head. "I beg your pardon. I'm sure you're right. It probably has been only the past three afternoons. I undoubtedly lost count because it seems that every time I've suggested we go riding or take in an exhibition this week you've been flying out the door."

"Life here in town is very hectic, my lord."

"Quite a change from the country, isn't it?"

Sophy eyed him warily, wondering where all this was leading. She was anxious to be on her way. The carriage was waiting. "Did you want something, my lord?"

"A little of your time, perhaps?" he suggested gently.

Sophy's fingers fumbled with the ribbons of her bonnet and the bow went askew. "I am sorry, my lord. I fear I have promised your aunt I would be there at three. She will be expecting me."

Julian glanced over his shoulder at the clock in the library. "You have a few minutes before you must rush off. Why don't you instruct your groom to walk the horse for a short while? I really would like to have your advice on a few matters."

"Advice?" That caught her attention. Julian had not sought her advice on anything since they had left Eslington Park.

"On some business relating to Ravenwood."

"Oh." She did not know quite how to respond to that. "Will it take long, my lord?"

"No, my dear. It won't take long." He straightened and waved her gracefully through the library door. Then he glanced back at the footman. "Tell the groom that Lady Ravenwood will be out in a while."

Sophy sat down opposite Julian's desk and struggled to untie the knot she had made in her bonnet ribbons.

"Allow me, my dear." Julian shut the library door and came across the room to deal with the tangle.

"Honestly, I do not know what it is about bonnet strings," Sophy complained, flushing slightly because of Julian's nearness. "They never seem to want to go together properly.

"Don't fret about such details. This is one of those chores a husband is skilled at performing." Julian leaned over her, his big hands very deft on the offending knot. A moment later he eased the bonnet from her curls and handed it to her with a small bow.

"Thank you." Sophy sat stiffly in the chair, the bonnet on her lap. "What sort of advice did you wish from me, my lord?"

Julian went around to the other side of the desk and casually seated himself. "I have just received some reports from my steward at Ravenwood. He says the housekeeper has taken ill and may not recover."

"Poor Mrs. Boyle," Sophy said at once, thinking of the plump tyrant who had ruled the Ravenwood household for years. "Does your steward mention whether she's had Old Bess in to look at her?"

Julian glanced down at the letter in front of him. "Yes, Bess apparently went up to the house a few days ago and said the problem is with Mrs. Boyle's heart. Even if she is fortunate enough to recover, she will not be able to take up her duties again. From here on out she must lead a quiet life."

Sophy shook her head and frowned in concern. "I am so sorry to hear that. I imagine Old Bess has instructed Mrs. Boyle in the use of foxglove tea. It is very useful in such situations, you know."

"I would not know about foxglove tea," Julian said politely, "but I do know that Mrs. Boyle's retirement leaves me—" Julian paused and then amended his words deliberately, "it leaves us with a problem. A new housekeeper needs to be appointed immediately."

"Definitely. Ravenwood will soon be in chaos otherwise."

Julian leaned back in his chair. "The business of hiring a housekeeper is quite important. It is also one of those things that is somewhat outside my area of expertise."

Sophy could not resist a small smile. "Good heavens, my lord. I had no idea there was anything that lay outside your area of expertise."

Julian grinned briefly. "It has been a while since you have bothered to tease me about my lamentable arrogance, Sophy. I find I almost miss your little barbs."

Her flash of amusement faded abruptly. "We have not exactly been on the sort of terms that encourage teasing, my lord."

"No, I suppose not. But I would change that."

She tilted her head. "Why?"

"Isn't it obvious?" he asked quietly. "I find that, in addition to your teasing, I rather miss the ease of the relationship we had begun to develop at Eslington Park in the days before you felt obliged to dump tea all over our bed."

Sophy felt herself turning pink. She looked down at the bonnet in her lap. "It was not such an easy relationship for me, my lord. It's true we talked more then and we discussed matters of mutual interest but I could never forget that all you really wanted from me was an heir. It put a strain on me, Julian."

"I understand that better now since I had a chat with a certain gypsy lady. She explained to me that my wife was something of a romantic by nature. I am guilty of not having taken that into account in my dealings with her and I would like to remedy the error of my ways."

Sophy's head came up quickly, her brows drawing together in annoyance. "So now you propose to indulge my so-called tendency toward romanticism? Pray do not bother, Julian. Romantic gestures are meaningless if there is no genuine feeling behind them."

"At least give me some credit for trying to please you, my dear." He smiled faintly. "You do like the Culpeper herbal, don't you?"

Guilt assailed her. "You know I am most extremely pleased with it, my lord."

"And the bracelet?" he coaxed.

"It is very pretty, my lord."

He winced. "Very pretty. I see. Well, then, I shall look forward to seeing you wear it sometime in the near future."

Sophy brightened at once, glad to be able to offer a positive response. "I expect I shall wear it this evening, my lord. I am going to a party at Lady St. John's."

"It was too much, I suppose, to hope you did not have plans for this evening?"

"Oh, I have plans for every evening this week and next. There is always so much going on here in town, isn't there?"

"Yes," Julian said grimly, "There is. You are not obliged to attend every function for which you receive an invitation, however. I should think by now you'd be happy to spend a quiet evening or two at home."

"Why on earth would I want to spend an evening here alone, my lord?" Sophy murmured tightly.

Julian folded his hands in front of him on his desk. "I was thinking of spending the evening here, myself."

Sophy forced another bright smile. He was trying to be kind, she told herself. She did not want mere kindness from him. "I see. Another romantic gesture designed to indulge my whims? That is very generous of you, but you need not bother, my lord. I am quite able to entertain myself. As I told you, now that I have been in the city a while I have a much better understanding of how husbands and wives of the ton are supposed to conduct their lives. And now I really must be going. Your aunt will wonder where I am."

She stood up quickly, forgetting about the bonnet on her lap. It slipped to the floor.

"Sophy, you misunderstand my intentions," Julian said as he got to his feet and strolled around the desk to pick up the bonnet. "I merely thought we might both enjoy a calm evening at home." He adjusted the bonnet on her head and tied the ribbons neatly under her chin.

She looked up at him, wishing she knew exactly what he was thinking. "Thank you for the gesture, my lord. But I would not dream of interfering in your social life. I am certain you will be quite bored if you stayed home. Good day, my lord."

"Sophy."

The command caught her just as she put her hand on the doorknob. "Yes, my lord?"

"What about the matter of hiring a new housekeeper?"

"Tell your steward to interview Molly Ashkettle. She's been on your staff for years at Ravenwood and will make a perfect replacement for poor Mrs. Boyle." Sophy rushed out the door.

Fifteen minutes later she was ushered into Lady Fanny's library. Harriett, Jane, and Anne were already there, deep into the stack of books that had been placed on the table.

"Sorry to be delayed," Sophy apologized quickly as the others looked up from their work. "My husband wanted to discuss the matter of a new housekeeper."

"How odd," Fanny said from atop a small ladder where she was rummaging around the top shelf. "Ravenwood never concerns himself with the hiring of servants. He always leaves that to his stewards or the butler. But never mind, dear, we are making great progress with your little project."

"It's true," Anne said closing one book and opening another. "Harriett discovered a reference to the animal head on the ring a short while ago. It is a mythical creature, which appears in a very old book of natural philosophy."

"Not a very pleasant reference, I'm afraid," Harriett said, pausing to peer over the top of her spectacles. "It was associated with some sort of nasty cult in ancient times."

"I am presently going through some old books on mathematics to see if I can find out anything about the triangle," Jane said. "I have a feeling we are very close."

"So do I," Lady Fanny said as she descended from the ladder. "Although what we will have if we do find the answers is beginning to worry me a bit."

"Why do you say that?" Sophy asked, taking a seat at the table and picking up a massive tome.

Harriett looked. "Fanny was struck with a rather vague recollection last night just before bedtime."

"What sort of recollection?" Sophy demanded.

"Something to do with a secret society of rather wild young rakehells," Fanny said slowly. "I heard about it a few years ago. I never learned the particulars, but it seems to me something was said about the members using rings to identify themselves to each other. Supposedly the whole thing started at Cambridge but some of the members kept the club going after they left the classroom. At least for a time."

Sophy looked at Anne and Jane and shook her head very slightly. They had agreed not to alarm Fanny and Harriett with the real reason they wanted to learn the secret of the black ring. As far as the older women knew, Sophy was merely curious about a family heirloom that had come into her possession. |

"You say this ring was left to you by your sister?" Harriett asked, turning pages slowly.

"That's right."

"Do you know where she got it?"

Sophy hesitated, trying to think of a reasonable explanation for Amelia's possession of the ring. As usual, her mind went blank when she tried to come up with a lie.

Anne rushed glibly to the rescue. "You said she had gotten it from a great aunt who passed away many years ago, didn't you, Sophy?"

"Yes," Jane put in before Sophy was obliged to respond, "I think that was what you said, Sophy."

"Yes. That's correct. A very odd sort of aunt. I do not believe I ever met her, myself," Sophy said quickly.

"Hm. Very odd, is right," Fanny mused as she plunked down two more heavy volumes and went back to the shelf for another batch. "I wonder how she came into possession of the ring."

"We'll probably never know," Anne said firmly, giving Sophy a quelling glance as Sophy began to look increasingly guilty.

Harriett turned another page in the volume she was perusing. "Have you shown the ring to Ravenwood, Sophy? Being a man, he might know more about this sort of thing than we do."

"He has seen the ring," Sophy said, happy to be able to speak the truth at last. "He did not recognize it."

"Well, then, we must persevere on our own." Fanny selected another volume off the shelf. "I do so love a puzzle, don't you, Harry?"

Harriett smiled beatifically. "Dear me, yes. Never happier than when I'm working on a puzzle."

Four days later, Sophy, poring over an ancient treatise on mathematics with Jane, discovered the origin of the peculiar triangle on the face of the ring.

"This is it," she said excitedly as the others converged around the old volume. "Look at it. The triangle is exactly like that one on the ring, including the strange loops at each corner."

"She is right," Anne said. "What does it say about the triangle?"

Sophy frowned over the Latin. "Something to do with its being useful in certain dark ceremonies for controlling the female demons who have—" She halted abruptly as she realized what she was translating. "Oh, my goodness."

"What is the matter?" Fanny leaned over her shoulder. "Ah, I see. A shape most useful for controlling succubi while enjoying them in a carnal manner. How fascinating. Leave it to men to worry about a species of female demons who molest poor helpless males in their sleep."

Harriett smiled blandly. "Fascinating, indeed. Demon prostitutes who can be controlled at the same time that one enjoys their favors. You are quite right, Fanny. -Definitely a fantasy creation of the male brain."

"Here is more evidence of masculine fancy," Anne announced, pointing to another picture of the mythological creature she had researched. "The beast in the triangle is said to have uncommon powers. It can, it seems, fornicate for hours without any loss of vigor."

Fanny groaned. "I think we can now say with some certainty that Sophy's heirloom ring is, indeed, a man's ring. It seems to have been expressly designed to make a male think quite highly of his own prowess in the bedchamber. Perhaps it was meant to give him good luck in that area of his life. In any event, it is definitely not the sort of jewelry Ravenwood will want his wife wearing in public."

Harriett chuckled. "If I were you, Sophy, I would not tell your husband the meaning of the designs on that ring. Put the thing away and ask Ravenwood for the family emeralds, instead."

"I am certain your advice is excellent," Sophy said quietly, thinking she would be damned before she would ask her husband for the Ravenwood emeralds. And I do appreciate your assistance in helping me track down the details of the ring."

"Not at all, Harriett said, beaming. "It was quite a fascinating project, wasn't it, Fanny?"

"Most instructive."

"Well, we had best be on our way, " Anne said, as the women began reshelving the books. "I promised Grandmother I would help her entertain some friends at cards this evening."

"And I am supposed to put in an appearance at Lady St. John's," Sophy said, dusting off her hands.

Jane eyed her friends without a word but as soon as they were all three seated in Sophy's carriage and safely out of earshot of Lady Fanny and her companion, she spoke up. "Well? Do not keep me in suspense. This is not the end of it. I know that. What will you do next, Sophy?"

Sophy stared out the window of the carriage, lost in thought for a moment. "It seems to me that we now know two things for certain about the ring. The first is that it probably belonged to a man who was part of a secret society he probably joined at Cambridge. And the second is that the society was involved in disreputable sexual practices."

"I think you are right," Anne agreed. "Your poor sister was the victim of some man who used women very badly, indeed."

"We already knew that," Jane said. "What do we do now?"

Sophy pulled her gaze away from the street scene and looked at her friends. "It seems to me there is only one person who might know the men who wear such rings."

Jane's eyes widened. "You cannot mean—"

"Of course," Anne said quickly. "Why didn't I think of it? We must contact Charlotte Featherstone at once and see what she can tell us of the ring or the man who might have worn it. Sophy, write the note this afternoon. I will deliver it in disguise at once."

"She may not choose to respond," Jane said hopefully.

"Perhaps, but it is the only recourse I have left, other than to wear the ring in public again and see who reacts to it."

"Too dangerous," Anne said at once. "Any man who recognizes the ring and sees you wearing it might think you were involved in the cult, yourself."

Sophy shuddered, remembering the man in the black hooded cape and mask. A most unusual type of excitement.

No, she must be very careful not to attract further attention with the ring.

Charlotte Featherstone's answer came within hours. Anne brought it to Sophy at once. Sophy tore open the envelope with a sense of mingled dread and anticipation.

From one Honorable Woman to Another: You flatter me by requesting what you are pleased to refer to as professional information. You say in your note that you are tracing the particulars of a family heirloom and your researches have led you to believe I may be of some assistance. I am only too happy to give you what little information I have but please allow me to tell you I do not think highly of the family member who left this ring behind. Whoever he was, he must have had a nasty streak in him.

Over the years I can recall five men who wore in my presence a ring such as you describe in your note. Two are now dead and, to be frank, the world is better off without them. The remaining three are Lords Utteridge, Varley, and Ormiston. I do not know what you plan to do next, but I advise caution. I can assure you that none of the three is good company for any woman, regardless of her station in Society. I hesitate to suggest it, but perhaps you should discuss the matter, whatever it may be, with your husband before proceeding further on your own.

The letter was signed with Featherstone's beautifully scrawled C. E

Sophy's pulse beat faster. At last she had names, she told herself. One of these three might very well be the man who was responsible for Amelia's death. "Somehow I must contrive to encounter these three men," she said evenly to Anne.

"Utteridge, Varley, and Ormiston," Anne repeated thoughtfully. "I have heard of them. They all move freely in Society, although their reputations are not the best. Using your own connections and those of my grandmother, it should not be difficult to get invitations to the parties and routs where we might expect to find these three lords."

Sophy nodded, refolding Featherstone's note. "I can see my appointment book is going to become more crowded than ever."