Yes, well, it seems that Lord Fen-ing’s wife, Lady Ferring, was well-aware of the affair and was insanely jealous of Lady Rowland, who was a great beauty in her younger days. Indeed, I am told that the two ladies engaged in some spectacularly outrageous scenes that shocked Society. Those quarrels occurred some thirty years ago,

“but rumor has it that the animosity between the two women has never abated.”

“Then one day the Dowager Lady Ferring awakens to the news that her old nemesis, Lady Rowland, is plotting to link the two families by marrying her granddaughter off to young Ferring,” Lavinia whispered. I’ll wager she was enraged.”

“I do not understand,” Tobias said. Why would the wedding plans have been canceled after Lady Rowland’s death?”

“Because she was the only one in the family who was determined to marry the chit off to Ferring,” Joan said. “Once he got his hands on his mother’s fortune, the young lady’s papa made other plans for the money. It transpires that he has not one but seven daughters to see settled. He intends to divide up the inheritance equally among all of the girls. The eldest will not receive such a huge portion as Lady Rowland had intended and she is thus no longer considered a great prize. Young Ferring will be looking elsewhere for a bride.”

“Who do you believe commissioned the third murder?” Tobias asked, looking thoroughly intrigued now.

“The third death was that of Mr. Newbold,” Joan said. “In some ways it is the simplest to explain. Newbold was exceedingly wealthy, but he was a truly dreadful man. When he made his offer for young Miss Wilson, everyone in the family was willing to over look his ghastly reputation in favor of his finances. Everyone, that is, except the young woman’s maternal grandmother, Mrs. Stockard.

“She herself had been married to just such a lecherous rake hell in her youth, and she was not about to see her granddaughter suffer the same fate.”

“This is excellent work, Joan.” Intense satisfaction swept through Lavinia. She turned to Tobias. “There you have it, sir, strong motives and the financial means to accomplish their objectives.”

Tobias exchanged a look with Vale.

“There is a certain logic to the conclusion,” Vale said.

“Joan cleared her throat. There is also one more rather significant link. These three women appear to share a long-standing friendship, one that goes back for many years. I can vouch for the fact that two of them, Lady Huxford and Lady Ferring, are almost inseparable.”

“Now, that is interesting,” Tobias said quietly. “A close personal connection might explain how they all managed to happen upon the same helpful murderer. One discovered him and told her companions.”

Lavinia tapped her fingers on the arm of the sofa and concentrated on how to proceed. “I would very much like to have an opportunity to question some of these ladies.”

No one said a word. She realized they were all watching her quite intently.

“With great subtlety, of course,” she added smoothly.

“Of course,” Tobias growled into his brandy. You are so extremely skilled in the art.”

“Now, Tobias-”

“As I recall, the last time you attempted great subtlety, you managed to get us chucked out of Beaumont Castle. Without breakfast.”

“Really, sir, do you intend to throw that tiny little incident in my face every time you see an opportunity?”

“Yes,” Tobias said.

Joan smiled. “I had a feeling you might want to question the ladies, Lavinia. There is not much I can do about Mrs. Stockard, as she does not reside in Town. But I might be able to arrange for you to meet Lady Huxford and Lady Ferring.”

“That would be most helpful,” Lavinia said. “How do we go about it?”

“According to my friend who told me the old gossip, both ladies are very fond of attending the summer concerts at Vauxhall on the evenings when a fireworks display is scheduled. In fact, they rarely miss such entertainments. There is such an event scheduled for tomorrow night. I thought you and I might go together. I can arrange for a casual introduction. Will that do?”

“Perfectly.” Lavinia felt anticipation swirl through her. “This is great news. I have a feeling that we are very near the end of this case.”

Tobias looked out the window. “Then why do I have the sense that we are missing some vitally important clue?”

“No doubt because it is your nature to view every occurrence from the most depressing vantage point,” Lavinia said crisply. You ought to cultivate a more positive, optimistic outlook, sir. It would do wonders for your spirits.”

Somewhat to Tobias’s surprise, Vale elected to join him when he left

Number 7 to walk back to his club. One did not think of a man of Vale’s notoriously secretive and reclusive nature as given to going about Town on foot, Tobias thought. On the other hand, the man did spend a great deal of his time in the country digging up his Roman ruins, so he evidently was not opposed to physical exertion on principle.

The long light of the fading summer day bathed the streets and parks in that clear, soft radiance that was peculiar to the time of year. There was a depth and definition about the street scenes that drew the eye. Each window and doorway was picked out with a crisp precision that would have been far beyond the skill of any human artist. Yet the clarity and warmth of the sunlit spaces only served to heighten the intensity of the shadows in the narrow lanes and alleys.

“It would seem that your partner’s intuition concerning the motives for the murders may have been correct after all,” Vale said.

“I must admit that Lavinia and Joan have come up with a link between the three women and motives that I cannot afford to over look any longer.” Tobias shook his head. “Although the notion of three elderly ladies of the ton resorting to murder to cancel some marriage contracts is more than a little unsettling.”

“I will admit to you that when Joan first told me of the conclusion she and Lavinia had reached, a great shudder of dread went through me.”

Tobias almost smiled. “All too often we are inclined to underestimate the fairer sex.”

“Indeed.” Vale glanced at a group of young boys flying kites in the park. Today I learned a rather disturbing lesson in that regard myself. I had a conversation with Joan that was nothing short of illuminating. Did you ever pause to consider precisely how little marriage has to offer an intelligent, mature woman of independent means?”

Tobias watched one of the kites soar high above the treetops. “If you are about to inform me that the institution does not have a great deal to offer such a female, you may save your breath. I have had occasion to give the subject a good deal of thought myself lately.”

“I see.”

Tobias looked at him. “Can I assume that you have also been thinking along similar lines?”

Vale inclined his head very slightly in the smallest of gestures. “I had not planned to marry again after my wife died. Until recently, I saw no need. I have two sons, both of whom have set up their own nurseries, so the titles and the estates are secure. My researches into the ruins left by the Romans keep me occupied and provide me with much satisfaction. As for the particular comforts and pleasures one can obtain only from a woman, well, they are not so difficult to come by, as we both are well-aware.”

Especially when one was a wealthy, titled member of the nobility who could afford to keep any number of mistresses if it suited him, Tobias thought. But he did not offer that observation aloud. It was not entirely fair, in any event. Although Vale had no doubt conducted his share of discreet liaisons over the years, he was not one to flaunt expensive courtesans or consort with flashy members of the demi-monde.

“I had not been aware of a sense of loneliness until I began to spend more time with Joan,” Vale said. “It is almost as though I discovered an elixir I did not know I craved until I took a taste of it.”