Vane suppressed his grin. "Do." Most ladies of his acquaintance would hie off to Bruton and Bond Streets at the drop of a hat. Patience's lukewarm enthusiasms augered well for a peaceful life in Kent. "I've agreed, suitably reluctantly, to act as guide for Henry, Edmond, and Gerrard this afternoon, and I tipped Sligo the wink to keep his eye on Edgar and the General."
Patience frowned. "There are rather many to watch if they should decide to go out on their own."
"We'll have to curb their taste for town delights." Vane noted the carriages drawn up to the verge ahead. "Speaking of which… behold, the grandes dames of the ton."
Even without the warning, Patience would have recognized them. They sat delicately draped over velvet or leather seats, elegant turbans nodding, sharp eyes bright, gloved hands artfully waving as they dissected and discussed every snippet of potential gossip. From youthful but elegant matrons to eagle-eyed dowagers, they were assured, secure in their social positions. Their carriages lined the fashionable route as they exchanged information and invitations.
Many heads turned their way as they bowled steadily along. Turbans were graciously inclined; Vane returned the nods easily but did not stop. Patience noted that many of the eyes beneath the turbans came to rest on her. The expressions she detected were either arrested, haughtily disapproving, or both. Chin rising, she ignored them. She knew her pelisse and bonnet were unfashionable. Dowdy. Possibly even frumpish.
But she would only be in London for a few weeks-to catch a thief-so her wardrobe hardly mattered.
At least, not to her.
She glanced sidelong at Vane, but could detect no glimmer of consciousness in his expression. She couldn't read anything in it at all. He gave no sign of registering, let along responding, to the more artful of the looks directed his way. Patience cleared her throat. "There seem to be a lot of ladies present-I didn't think so many would have returned to town."
Vane shrugged. "Not everyone does, but Parliament's back in session, so the political hostesses are in residence, exerting their influence with the usual balls and dinners. That's what draws many of the ton back. The few weeks of social whirl nicely fill the time between the summer and the start of the shooting season."
"I see." Scanning the carriages ahead, Patience noted one lady who, rather than reclining languidly and watching them go by, had sat bolt upright. A second later, she waved-imperiously.
Patience glanced at Vane; from the direction of his gaze and his set lips, he'd already seen the lady. His hesitation was palpable, then, gathering tension as if girding his loins, he slowed his horses. The curricle rocked to a stop beside the elegant brougham.
Occupied by the lady, of similar age to Patience, with bright chesnut hair and a pair of exceedingly shrewd, blue-grey eyes. Said eyes instantly locked on Patience's face. Their owner smiled delightedly.
Grimly, Vane nodded. "Honoria."
The lady switched her bright smile to him. It deepened fractionally. "Vane. And who is this?"
"Allow me to present Miss Patience Debbington. Minnie's niece."
"Indeed?" Without waiting for more, the lady held out her hand to Patience. "Honoria, my dear Miss Debbington."
"Duchess of St. Ives," Vane grimly announced.
Honoria ignored him. "It's a pleasure to meet you, my dear. Is Minnie well?"
"She's much better than she was." Patience forgot about her shabby clothes and responded easily to the duchess's openness. "She took a chill a few weeks back, but she survived the journey down surprisingly well."
Honoria nodded. "How long does she plan to stay in town?"
Until they caught their thief-unmasked their Spectre. Patience held the duchess's clear gaze. "Ah…"
"We're not certain," Vane drawled. "It's just one of Minnie's usual bolts to town, but this time she's brought her entire menagerie with her." He raised his brows in patent boredom. "Presumably for distraction."
Honoria's gaze remained steady on his face long enough to make Patience wonder how much of Vane's glib explanation she believed. Then Honoria switched her gaze to her-and smiled warmly, welcomingly-far more personally than Patience had expected. "I'm sure we'll meet again shortly, Miss Debbington." Honoria pressed Patience's fingers. "I'll let you get on-you doubtless have a busy morning ahead of you. Indeed"-she shifted her gaze to Vane-"I've some calls to make, too."
Vane, tight-lipped, nodded curtly-and gave his horses the office.
As they bowled down the avenue, Patience glanced at his set face. "The duchess seems very nice."
"She is. Very nice." Also very nosy, and definitely too perceptive. Vane inwardly gritted his teeth. He'd known the family would find out sometime, but he hadn't expected it to be quite so soon. "Honoria's effectively the matriarch of the family." He struggled to find words to explain precisely what that meant-but gave up. Acknowledging the power Honoria-or any of the Cynster women-wielded within the family was something he, and all his male relatives, always found exceedingly difficult.
Vane narrowed his eyes and headed his team toward the park gates. "I'll call for you tomorrow, at much the same time. A drive or a walk seems the best way for us to exchange information on what the others have done, and where they're intending to go."
Patience stiffened. He'd taken her for this drive so they could coordinate their plans-he viewed the outing as a campaign meeting. "Indeed," she replied, somewhat tartly. An instant later, she said, "Perhaps we should get Sligo to accompany us?" When Vane, frowning, glanced her way, she added, "So we can get his views firsthand."
Vane frowned harder-his horses distracted him.
As they negotiated the park gates and turned into the crowded thoroughfare, Patience sat, stiffly erect; inside, her emotions churned. As