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banished from Society is simply that it amuses him to play cat-and-mouse games with them."
    "I cannot believe he would deliberately hurt his family. I rather liked him," Prudence ventured.
    "I'm sure he can be charming when he chooses. And he was no doubt more than charming when he asked you to dance with him. The thing is, Prue, Trevor is absolutely correct to be concerned about any connection between you and the earl. Angelstone is said to amuse himself in some rather odd ways. He might find it entertaining to ruin this Season's most interesting Original."
    Prudence bit her lip. "Come, now, madam. I am five-and-twenty, after all. A bit past the age of ruination."
    "Not yet, my dear. Not yet. And if there is anything Society loves more than a Fallen Angel, it's a good, juicy scandal. You are the talk of the Town at the moment. Every eye is upon you. If your name is linked to Angelstone's, there will be no end to the gossip."
    Prudence took another sip of tea. "The only reason I'm the center of attention is because of that business with the Pembroke family treasure."
    "Of course, my dear." Hester beamed with delight and gave an affectionate pat to the diamond pendant around her throat. It had been part of the cache Prudence had discovered. "Everyone knows you found my jewels when you investigated the Pembroke ghost. The
ton
is quite enthralled with the tale."
    Prudence wrinkled her nose. "Too bad I did not locate the Pem­broke family ghost while I was at it. Encountering evidence of genuine spectral phenomena would have been far more interesting than dis­covering a bunch of jewels."
    "But not nearly as useful, Prue. Not nearly as useful. You have changed my life, my dear, and I do not know how I can ever repay you."
    "You know very well you have more than repaid me by bringing Trevor and me to London for a visit. Since the death of our parents, Trevor has been extremely restless in the country. Here in Town he is gaining experience in the ways of the world and he is having a wonder­ful time."
    "It was the very least I could do to thank you," Hester said. "I know how concerned you were about Trevor. But I would love to do so much more for you, my dear." She frowned at Prudence's demure, unfashionable muslin frock. "I do wish you would allow me to buy you a new wardrobe."
    "Now, Hester, we have been through this before. I am not about to allow you to buy me a trunkful of gowns that I will never be able to wear when I go home to Dorset. It would be a complete waste."
    Hester sighed. "The thing is, Prue, now that you have the attention of the
ton,
it seems only proper that you should dress in the first stare of fashion. I cannot comprehend why you do not take more of an interest in your clothes. You would look lovely in lavender."
    The door of the drawing room opened before Prudence could think of a suitable reply.
    "Good afternoon, ladies."
    Prudence looked up as Trevor made his entrance into the room with the swaggering, elaborately casual style he had painstakingly learned from his newfound friends.
    Everything Trevor did lately was done with that peculiar style. It was getting a bit wearing, Prudence decided.
    Her younger brother had turned overnight into a young blood of the
ton.
From the top of his intricately tied cravat to his padded coat, striped waistcoat, and snug pantaloons, Trevor was the very glass of fashion. He had taken to carrying a cane and had an enormous num­ber of decorative seals dangling from the fob of his watch.
    As irritating as some of his new mannerisms could be on occasion, Prudence was nevertheless very fond of Trevor. She told herself he was merely a high-spirited young man who would do very well once he had settled down a bit and matured.
    Her younger brother was also a fine-looking young man, she thought proudly. He had no real need of the padding in his jacket. His hair was the same honey-colored shade as hers was. Trevor had inher­ited their mother's excellent blue eyes, rather than their