“That’s a fact.” Marcus snorted. “Her name would be dropped from every guest list in town if word got out. She would never receive another invitation.”

“Precisely.”

Marcus stroked his chin thoughtfully. “This is astonishing. Absolutely astonishing.”

“Do you recall the Bromley scandal?”

“I should think so. Talk about a sensation. Who would have imagined that pretentious, self-righteous prig, Lord Bromley, was making money off a ring of opium dens. When the news appeared in the Flying Intelligencer, Bromley was forced to leave the country on an extended tour of America. He hasn’t dared return.”

“Mrs. Bryce is the one who first reported that story and presented evidence to the public. She writes under the name I. M. Phantom.”

“So she’s Phantom.” Marcus paused, frowning. “And now she’s after Hastings. Well, well, well.”

“I tried to talk her out of conducting the investigation, but she won’t hear of it. I feel responsible for seeing to it that she doesn’t come to any harm, so I have agreed to work with her on this venture. For the foreseeable future it will appear to the world that she and I have formed an intimate liaison.”

“I see.” Marcus looked shrewd. “And have you?”

“I assure you, our association is based entirely on business.”

“According to your grandmother, everyone is saying that you have formed an intimate liaison with Mrs. Bryce.”

“That is the point, sir. With luck, the gossip will serve as camouflage. If people, including Hastings, believe that Mrs. Bryce and I are involved in a liaison, they are less likely to guess what we are really about.”

“An interesting theory,” Marcus said without inflection.

“Unfortunately, it is the only one I’ve got. Good day, sir.”

Anthony left and walked swiftly toward the staircase. He half-expected Clarice to be lurking in the front hall, but luck was with him. There was no one around downstairs. Nevertheless, he did not breathe easily until he was safely outside on the street.

MARCUS WAITED until he heard the front door open and close. When he was certain that Anthony had departed, he took off the leather apron and went downstairs to the library.

Georgiana and Clarice were both drinking tea. They looked at him with expectant expressions.

“Did Tony tell you anything about his association with Mrs. Bryce, Papa?” Clarice asked.

“A little.” Marcus took the cup of tea that Georgiana held out to him. “It is all quite amazing. Bizarre, in fact.”

“Do you think he is serious about her, dear?” Georgiana asked. “Or is she some passing fancy?”

“She’s no passing fancy,” Marcus said, absolutely certain of the conclusion. “Although I don’t think Tony realizes that yet. He’s still fixated on finding Fiona’s killer.”

“What do you think of Mrs. Bryce?” Georgiana asked.

“Difficult to say. Haven’t even met the woman.” Marcus drank some tea and lowered the cup. “But from what I’ve heard so far, I’d say she would fit rather well into this family.”

Miranda Fawcett agreed to meet with them the following day. She received Louisa and Anthony in a grand drawing room that resembled the lobby of a luxurious theater. Red velvet curtains trimmed with gold cords framed the windows. The carpet was crimson, decorated with an elaborate flower motif. The sofa and chairs were gilded and covered in gold upholstery. A heavy crystal chandelier hung overhead.

Miranda, herself, was equally striking in a turquoise-blue tea gown and a vast amount of pearls. She wore an impressive crown of hair done in an intricate style that must have taken hours to prepare. Louisa was certain their hostess was wearing a wig. Very few women of Miranda’s age—or any other age, for that matter—possessed such a great volume of hair. The rich brown color was equally suspicious.

“A pleasure to meet you, Mr. Stalbridge.” Miranda sparkled up at Anthony as he inclined his head over her hand.

“The pleasure is all mine, Mrs. Fawcett.” He straightened, smiling. “You are a legend, madam. But, then, you know that. No actress has ever been able to replace you on the stage. I was fortunate enough to see your last performance as Lady Macbeth.”

Louisa nearly fell out of her chair. Anthony could certainly turn on the gallantry at will. Half an hour ago, when he had arrived in Arden Square to collect her for their appointment with Miranda, he had not seemed the least bit pleased at the prospect of meeting the retired actress. He had, in fact, been quite stunned to learn the identity of her informant.

“How the devil did you come to meet Miranda Fawcett?” he growled, following Louisa up into the carriage.

“I was able to do her a small favor shortly after I took up my career as a journalist,” Louisa explained. “She was grateful.”

“The woman must be nearing sixty.”

“I believe so, yes.”

Anthony leaned back against the seat and grew thoughtful. “In her day she was said to be the mistress of some of the most powerful men in the country.”

“So Emma told me.”

“There were rumors that she formed a long-term liaison with a man named Clement Corvus.”

“I believe Miranda has mentioned his name on occasion.”

“Louisa, the man is reputed to be a crime lord.”

“Surely not, sir.” She smiled serenely. “Had Mr. Corvus been a criminal he would have been arrested.”

“From what I have heard, he is far too clever to get caught. He is always careful to keep himself at arm’s length from the criminal activities from which he profits. They say he lives like a gentleman of wealth and means while running an underworld empire. On the street he is known as The Raven.”

The authority that rang in his voice captured her attention. She regarded him with sudden curiosity.

“You seem to know a great deal about Mr. Corvus,” she said.

Anthony hesitated. “He has been on my mind of late. I’ll be frank. The fact that you have a connection with his former mistress makes me extremely uneasy.”

“I do not believe that there is anything former about their relationship,” Louisa said, amused. “I have the impression that they are still quite close. Miss Fawcett makes an excellent informant. I would not be surprised if much of the information she has given me came directly from The Raven.”

“Why would he wish to assist a newspaper correspondent?”

She gave a tiny shrug. “Perhaps it amuses him. I know Miss Fawcett finds being my informant extremely entertaining.”

“Just what sort of favor did you do for her?”

“It is a long story.”

Watching Miranda glitter and glow now, Louisa felt a mix of amusement and admiration. At the height of her career, Miranda had been the most celebrated actress in England. She had also toured America to great acclaim. Although she had left the stage it was plain that she had lost none of her ability to charm an audience.

Miranda dimpled at Anthony. “You are very kind, sir. I must admit, sometimes I cannot believe that I have been out of the theater for so long. I miss it dreadfully. Real life can be so excruciatingly dull.” She flashed a knowing smile at Louisa. “At least it was until I made the acquaintance of Mrs. Bryce. I vow, she has brought a new zest into my drab existence.”

Anthony sat down in one of the gold chairs. “Mrs. Bryce does have a way of injecting a certain excitement into things.”

Louisa shot him a repressive glare. He gave her a polite smile.

“Indeed, she does,” Miranda said. She regarded Anthony with an expectant air. “She tells me that you are assisting her in one of her exciting little investigations, Mr. Stalbridge.”

“I thought it would be amusing,” Anthony said. “I, too, have found life a trifle dull of late.”

Louisa raised her eyes to the ceiling.

Miranda gave a throaty chuckle. “Mrs. Bryce will soon rectify that problem for you.”