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Cassandra, and their cousin, Miss Ashman. Linford’s fiancée, Jenny, and her parents. Elizabeth Morgan and her mother. And Hugh, of course.”
    She cut him a sly look. “Hugh seeking a bride reminds me, Adam, it would do you no harm to think about taking a wife. Political men need hostesses, you know.”
    He shrugged. “They do. But they don’t have to be married to them.”
    “That’s why I invited that lovely Elizabeth Morgan to the party. Now, there’s a beauty for you!”
    Somehow Adam had missed the name in his mother’s recitation of the guests. “You invited that child? I danced with her last night at the Mainwaring’s ball. She has little wit and less conversation.”
    “Well, she’s being touted as this season’s Incomparable. You should pay attention.”
    “She’s eighteen! Maybe younger.”
    “I heard you danced with Lady Leonora, too, and so I took the liberty of inviting her as well.”
    “You heard wrong, Mother. I did not dance with her. I cannot abide that woman.”
    “Oh, come now, Adam. She’s quite stunning and wealthy besides. Politics requires money, you know. And that’s the other reason we need to carefully consider whom to invite to the house party.”
    Adam sighed. Perhaps his wish to stand for Parliament was misplaced. If he had to curry favors from the likes of Leonora, he didn’t want any part of it. After he’d secured Jack’s support, though, he was quite sure he could handle any unexpected expenses. He’d rather not have to ask his friend for money, but he’d no idea of what a campaign cost.
    “My, my, the gossips have been busy, haven’t they?” he said. “Since the ball was last night, how could you possibly know whom I danced with already?”
    “Darling, you know the servants have their own network. Lucy told me everything while dressing me this morning.”
    “Did she neglect to mention Cass Linford? I did dance with her.” Adam debated whether to ask his mother about Cassie’s broken engagement. He’d rather get the truth from Deborah than press Jack for it. Before broaching the subject, he sipped his coffee and cleared his throat.
    “I wonder, Mother, if you’re familiar…if you know why Cass never married? I believe she was once engaged.”
    “Why, yes, of course. Everyone knows.”
    Everyone but me . Adam waited, gritting his teeth but determined to remain silent until his mother decided to elaborate.
    “I suppose you were out of the country when it all happened. Such a dreadful thing. Only think of the agonies that poor, dear girl suffered. Remember when you were children and—”
    Adam’s temper flared. “Mother!”
    “Oh, sorry. Yes, well, her fiancé killed himself. Right in front of God and everybody. It was at Drury Lane. I believe Othello was on the bill. Cassandra and Lord Bentley, you knew him, didn’t you? They were strolling during the interval, and he suddenly drew a pistol. I didn’t see it, but those who did said he brandished the weapon at Cassandra, as though he meant to shoot her, then turned the gun on himself.”
    “So there were actual witnesses?”
    “Well, now that you ask, I’m not certain, but that was part of the story that circulated.”
    Christ . “He might have killed her!” Adam moderated his voice before going on. It wouldn’t do to have his mother thinking he was overly concerned about Cass. “When did this happen? And why did he do it, for God’s sake?”
    “Let me think. It happened during her second, maybe her third, season. A few years ago, now. I believe it was shortly before you sold your commission and began your sojourn on the Continent.” She lifted a brow. “The Earl of Wilton, Bentley’s father, gave it out that he’d changed his mind about marrying, that Cassandra was somehow to blame, but everyone knew the truth.”
    “Which was?” Why did he have to pry everything out of her?
    “He had vowels out all over town. In Dun territory so deep, he could never get out. They say he was addicted