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inherited privilege could breed when it was visited on the wrong kind of character. He wielded his power irresponsibly and selfishly
    Most recently the earl had been one of the few lords to argue against the bill abolishing slavery in the colonies, because he owned some plantations in the West Indies that would be affected economically. Few men in Parliament had the audacity to stand on the side of selling human beings anymore, but it had not bothered Glasbury to do so at all.
    Worse, that smirk had reflected triumph. It was the reflexive expression of a man who knew he had won a game. Julian’s concern for Penelope instantly deepened.
    Glasbury took a position beside Laclere s chair so he could look down on the dark head of the man sitting in it. Julian considered that it was probably the earl’s only opportunity to do so, since Laclere towered over Glasbury when they both stood.
    The earl’s slender body assumed a military rigidity. With his gray hair and lined face, he appeared a generation older than anyone else in the chamber even though he had only ten years on Laclere.
    “I have little time to waste on this business, so I will beblunt,” Glasbury said with all possible pomposity. “I demand to know where she is.”
    “By she, you must mean our sister. Penelope is in Naples, as you know. You wrote to her there.”
    “She is not in Naples any longer. She was seen in London yesterday. I have learned that she took a room at Mivert’s Hotel upon her return, but she is no longer at the hotel this morning.”
    “I am sure that whoever saw her is mistaken. If my sister did return to London, she would not have to reside at a hotel, since she has a house. Did you try calling there?”
    “The house remains closed. There has been no activity to indicate she is living there.”
    “Glasbury, forgive me for not being overcome with concern at your pique, but it has been many years since my sister’s activities were your business or interest. I assure you that she is in Naples, but if she is not, what do you care?”
    “She is my wife.”
    “In name.”
    “In
the law.”
    “In reality she has not been your wife for over a decade.”
    “The law is the only reality that matters, as Hampton here can explain to you. I am done indulging her whims on the issue.”
    “What is that supposed to mean?” Dante asked. “Do you plan to change the legal reality by divorcing her?”
    “Indeed not. I have decided that our long estrangement is no longer acceptable. Laclere, I demand that you return her to me.”
    Laclere s eyes reflected astonishment. Julian could seethe truth sink in, and the dismay that after all these years the earl wanted Penelope back.
    “I cannot return what I do not have.”
    “If you are hiding her—”
    “My home is always open to her, and when she visits she does not have to hide. But she is not in this house, or at Laclere Park, or even in England.”
    “I demand that you prove it. That man by the door is Mr. Lovejoy. He is an inspector with the Metropolitan Police. He will search this house to see if my wife is here.”
    “The hell he will,” Dante said.
    Laclere leveled a piercing gaze on Mr. Lovejoy. “You brought the police into my home, Glasbury?”
    “It was necessary.”
    “I doubt Mr. Lovejoy agrees. You are not searching for a criminal. The inspector’s authority in such a case is ambiguous at best. Isn’t that so, Hampton?”
    Julian donned his most severe professional demeanor. “Most ambiguous. I assume, Mr. Lovejoy, that the superintendent is aware of your intentions?”
    Mr. Lovejoy mumbled something noncommittal.
    “In any case, Laclere’s word as a gentlemen is good enough for the police, is it not, sir?”
    Another mumble was accompanied by a vague nod.
    “There. That is settled,” Laclere said, dryly.
    Lovejoy, recognizing a dismissal when he heard it, ducked out of the room.
    Glasbury’s face got red. “When I learn that you are lying, I will—”
    “Be careful,