"Just think! We could be murdered in our beds!"

All heads, and it was indeed all-Minnie's household had assembled in its entirety-swung Angela's way.

Eyes huge, she stared back. "It must be some madman!"

"Why?"

Vane had opened his mouth to voice the question; Patience beat him to it. "Why on earth would someone come all the way out here," she continued, "struggle into this particular house, go to your mother's door-and then vanish as soon as she screamed? If it was a madman intent on murder, he had plenty of time to do the deed."

Both Mrs. Chadwick and Angela stared at her, stunned by her ruthless common sense.

Vane forced his lips straight. "There's no need for melodrama-whoever it was is long gone." But possibly not far away.

The same thought had occurred to Whitticombe. "Is everybody here?" He looked about, as did the others, corn-firming that indeed, everyone was present, even Masters, who stood at the back of the crowd. "Well, then," Whitticombe said, scanning the faces, "where was everyone? Gerrard?"

Vane was quite sure it wasn't chance that had brought that name first to Whitticombe's lips.

Gerrard was standing behind Patience. "I was in the billiard room."

"Alone?" Whitticombe's insinuation was transparent.

Gerrard's jaw set. "Yes, alone."

The General grunted. "Why on earth would someone spend time in the billiard room alone?"

Color crept into Gerrard's cheeks. He flicked a glance at Vane. "I was just knocking a few balls around."

That swift glance was enough for Vane; Gerrard had been practicing shots, waiting for him to come down. The billiard room was precisely the sort of place a gentleman such as he might be expected to choose to spend an hour or so before retiring. Indeed, if events had not taken the course they had, he would have gone there himself.

Vane didn't like the accusing stares that were being aimed at Gerrard. Neither did Patience, Minnie, or Timms. He spoke before they could. "That's you accounted for. Where was everyone else?"

He made each one state their last location. Bar himself and Minnie, Angela, Mrs. Chadwick, Patience, and Timms, not one had been in sight of anyone else. Whitticombe had returned to the library; Edgar had gone in to retrieve a tome, then retreated to the back parlor. Edmond, oblivious to all once his muse had taken hold, as apparently it had, had remained in the drawing room. The General, irritated by Edmond's spontaneous spoutings, had slipped back to the dining room. From his deepened color, Vane suspected the brandy decanter had been his goal. Henry Chadwick had retired to his room.

When Vane asked for her whereabouts, Alice Colby glared at him. "I was in my room, one floor below this."

Vane merely nodded. "Very well. I suggest that now the thief is long gone, we should all retire."

In the face of that dampeningly dull suggestion, most of the party, muttering and grumbling, did so. Gerrard hung back, but when Patience noticed and gave him a push, he shot an apologetic glance at Vane and went. Predictably, Patience, Minnie, and Timms stood their ground.

Vane eyed their set faces, then sighed and waved them back. "In Minnie's room." He took Minnie's arm, concerned when he felt how heavily she leaned on him. He was tempted to carry her, but knew her pride of old. So he matched his pace to hers. By the time they reached her rooms, Timms had the fire blazing and Patience had plumped the cushions in Minnie's chair. Vane helped her to it and she sank down with a weary sigh.

"It wasn't Gerrard."

The trenchant statement came from Timms. "I can't abide how they all cast suspicion his way. They're making him a scapegoat."

Minnie nodded. Patience simply met Vane's eyes. She stood by Minnie's chair, head up, hands clasped too tightly before her, daring him to accuse her brother.

Vane's lips twisted wryly. "He was waiting for me." Strolling forward, he took up his customary position, shoulders propped against the mantelpiece. "Which, the last time I checked, wasn't a crime."

Timms sniffed. "Exactly so. That much was obvious."

"If we're agreed on that, then I suggest we forget the incident. There's no way I can see to link it to anyone."

"Masters couldn't fault any of the other alibis." Patience lifted her chin when Vane looked her way. "I asked him."

Vane regarded her for a moment, then nodded. "So tonight has revealed nothing-there's nothing more to do but head for bed."

He kept his eyes on Patience's face; after a moment, she inclined her head. "As you say." She bent down to Minnie. "If you don't need me, ma'am?"

Minnie forced a tired smile. "No, my love." She clasped Patience's hand. "Timms will take care of me."

Patience kissed Minnie's cheek. Straightening, she exchanged a conspiratorial look with Timms, then glided to the door. Vane fell in in her wake, reaching around her as she halted before the door to open it. Then- positions were the same as they'd been that afternoon, when he'd deliberately discomposed her. This time it was she who hesitated, then glanced up, into his face. "You don't believe it was Gerrard."

Half question, half statement. Vane held her gaze, then shook his head. "I know it wasn't Gerrard. Your brother couldn't lie to save himself-and he didn't try."

Briefly, she searched his eyes, then inclined her head. Vane opened the door, closed it behind her, then headed back to the fire.

"Well," Minnie sighed. "Will you take on my commission?"

Vane looked down at her and let his Cynster smile show. "After that little interlude, how could I refuse?" How indeed.

"Thank heavens!' Timms declared. "Lord knows we need a little sound sense around here."

Vane stored that comment up in case of later need-he suspected Patience Debbington thought she had the sound sense market cornered. "I'll start nosing around tomorrow. Until then-" He looked at Minnie. "As I said, it would be best to forget about tonight."

Minnie smiled. "Knowing you'll be staying will be enough to ease my mind."

"Good." With a nod, Vane straightened and turned.

"Oh-ah, Vane…?"

He glanced back, one brow rising, but didn't halt in his progress to the door. "I know-but don't ask me for a promise I won't keep.",

Minnie frowned. "Just take care of yourself-I wouldn't want to have to face your mother if you break a leg, or, worse yet, your head."

"Rest assured-I don't intend to break either." Vane glanced back from the door, one brow arrogantly high. "As you've no doubt heard, we Cynsters are invincible."

With a rakish grin, he left; Minnie watched the door close. Reluctantly smiling, she tugged at her slipping shawls. "Invincible? Huh!"

Timms came to help. "Given all seven of the present generation returned from Waterloo, unscathed and with nary a scratch, I'd say they have some claim to the title."

Minnie made a distinctly rude sound. "I've known Vane and Devil from the cradle-and the others almost as well." She poked Timms's arm affectionately. With her help, she struggled to her feet. "They're very much mortal men, as hot-blooded and bold as they come." Her words gave her pause, then she chuckled. "They may not be invincible, but be damned if they're not the next best thing."

"Precisely." Timms smiled. "So we can leave our problems on Vane's shoulders-Lord knows, they're broad enough."

Minnie grinned. "Very true. Well, then-let's get me to bed."

Vane made sure he was early down to breakfast. When he entered the breakfast parlor, only Henry was present, working his way through a plate of sausages. Exchanging an amiable nod, Vane headed for the sideboard.

He was heaping a plate with slices of ham when Masters appeared, bearing another platter. He set it down on the sideboard. Raising a brow, Vane caught his eye. "No sign of any break-in?"