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night and most of the morning making inquiries into the
    affair."
    Wilsonabsorbed that information with a troubled expression. "The murder is certainly a strange twist"
    "Not necessarily. The average villain would likely see a great potential for extortion in this matter." Adam
    picked up a silver serving fork and helped himself to a large heap of scrambled eggs and smoked salmon.
    "The prospect of money can make any number of people con-template murder."
    Wilsonturned thoughtful. "Are you certain that the medium was murdered for the diary?"
    "No" Adam carried his plate back to the table and sat down. "But it would appear to be the most logical
    explanation, given the timing and circumstances."
    "Well, then, if you are right, whoever now possesses the diary will no doubt soon be in touch."
    "I prefer not to sit and wait for the killer to send a message inviting me to pay blackmail." Adam dug into
    his eggs. "I intend to find him first."
    Wilsondrank some coffee and lowered the cup. "Did you learn anything useful in the course of your
    inquiries last night and this morning?"
    "No. The only halfway promising suspect proved to be an exceedingly difficult and unpredictable female
    who thinks t hat 1 am an ideal model for a villain in a sensation novel." "How odd."Wilson 's pale gray
    eyes lit with interest. "Tell me about her."
    TrustWilson to seize upon the one aspect of the business that he least wished to discuss, Adam thought.
    He buttered some toast while he considered his response.
    "There isn't much to tell," he said. "I am convinced that the lady in question is not involved in this affair."
    Wilsonleaned back in his chair. "This is not the first time that you and I have had occasion to discuss
    murder and potentially dangerous documents at breakfast."
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    "What we have done in the past along those lines were matters of business," Adam said shortly.
    "Nevertheless, this is the first time in the long history of our association that you have mentioned a
    conversation with an exceedingly difficult and unpredictable female who found you to be a perfect model
    for a villain in a novel. Forgive me, but I find that quite intriguing"
    Adam munched on his toast. "I told you, I do not think that the lady has any connection to this affair of
    the diary."
    "She obviously made an impression on you."
    "She would make an impression on anyone."
    "You know what the French say: cherchez la femme."
    "This isEngland , notFrance ." Adam put down the corner of toast and went back to the eggs. "Things
    are different here."
    "Not always. I cannot help but notice that the lady appears to have had a very striking effect upon your
    mood, most notably your temper."
    Wilsonknew him far too well, Adam reflected.
    "I would remind you that I have not slept in the past
    twenty-four hours," he said evenly. "It is little wonder that
    f am not in the best of tempers."
    "On the contrary,"Wilson said. "In my experience, the more there is at risk, the more cold-blooded and
    unemotional you become. Quite chilling, actually."
    Adam gave him a look.
    Wilsonignored him. "In fact, if one did not know you well, one might assume that you did not possess
    any of the warmer passions."
    A tingle of alarm went through Adam. The fork in his hand paused in midair. "With all due respect, sir,
    the very last subject I wish to discuss this morning is what you are pleased to call the warmer passions."
    "Now, Adam, I am well aware that you do possess those sorts of passions. All the more reason why
    you should get married and employ them to produce heirs for the Grendon-Hardesty fortunes."
    "You have no shortage of heirs, sir. Julia has already married and provided you with two of them.
    Jessica will be making her debut into Society next spring. She will no doubt attract dozens of offers within
    a fortnight. When she marries, she will supply you with still more heirs. And do not forget Nathan.
    Sooner or