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that," Iphiginia said with great satisfaction, "but they had played cards quite regularly with him for nearly twenty years before he died, sir. That number is important because my aunt's great secret dates back eighteen years."
    Marcus smiled slowly. "Brilliant, Mrs. Bright. Absolutely brilliant. You have concocted a truly amazing tale to explain your astonishing behavior. I am consumed with admiration for your inventiveness and originality."
    Her face fell. "You believe that I have invented the entire thing?"
    "Yes, madam, I do." Marcus held up a hand. "But don't let that stop you. I assure you, I am enjoying the play to the utmost. You are a captivating actress of exceptional talent. I feel privileged to have a minor role in the performance."
    Confusion and a deep wariness flickered in her eyes. "You do not believe me, but you are not angry?"
    "To he perfectly truthful, I'm not yet certain just how I feel about the entire affair. I am still pondering the matter."
    "I see," she muttered. "Do you generally take a long time to consider matters before you decide how you feel about them?"
    He smiled at the note of asperity in her voice. "You sound like a governess demanding a response from a slow pupil. The answer is that I have a rule against altering a decision once I have made it. But the corollary to that rule is that I gather the facts first before making my decision."
    She brightened. "I am well aware of your famous rules, sir. May I take it that you are still gathering the facts in this instance?"
    "Why not?"
    "That is a great relief, sir." She gave him her shatteringly brilliant smile. "I have faith in your intellectual nature. I know that once you realize that I am telling the truth, you will be only too happy to assist me in my efforts to discover the blackmailers."
    Marcus felt the carriage rumble to a halt. "Rest assured, Mrs. Bright, I shall take pleasure in learning everything there is to know about this entire situation."
    "Of course." She seemed blithely unconcerned now. "That is your nature."
    "Do you know," Marcus observed as his footman opened the carriage door, "I do not believe that anyone has ever before set out to study my nature. Did you find the task interesting?"
    "Oh, yes, my lord." Her eyes glowed. as she allowed herself to he assisted down onto the pavement. "It was every bit as fascinating as the ruins of Pompeii."
    "Nice to know I can hold my own with a classical ruin." Marcus got out of the carriage and took her arm. He glanced up at Dinks. "I shall be a while."
    Dinks, who had been with him for years, nodded with an air of cheerful complacency. "Aye, m'lord. We'll be waitin' for ye."
    Iphiginia glanced sharply at Marcus as he walked her up the steps of Number Five, Morning Rose Square. "What did you mean by that? You won't be but a moment."
    "Come, now, my dear. Surely you intend to invite me inside for a brandy?" Marcus glanced with approval at the new gas lamps that had been installed in front of each town house on the street.
    "Inside?" Iphiginia's voice rose in astonishment. "Do not be ridiculous, sir. I have no intention of allowing you into the house at this hour."
    "We have much to discuss, Mrs. Bright, and I can think of no more convenient time or place for our conversation." Marcus raised his hand to give the brass knocker a sharp rap.
    "No, wait, do not knock," Iphiginia said hurriedly. "I have instructed my housekeeper not to wait up for me. I have my key in my reticule."
    Marcus held out his hand for the key. She hesitated and then handed it to him. He took it without a word and opened the door.
    Iphiginia stepped quickly ahead of him into the dark hall. She grabbed a candle that had been left on a nearby table, lit it quickly, and swung around to confront him. "Sir, I really do not think that you should come inside."
    He deliberately put one booted foot over the threshold and smiled. "If you wish your illusion to continue to withstand Society's scrutiny," he said very softly, "then I