“They attend my salon on occasion.”
“They do? I can’t picture them here.”
“As I said during my introduction this evening, I welcome revelers of all predilections. Those two ladies are life companions and enjoy the freedom the salon affords them.”
Her grandmother was full of surprises. “I came to London to petition the Duke of Rydell regarding a property he owns in Squalton. When I arrived I found that Lord Dane owns the property.”
“The infamous rake I caught you here with earlier. Is there something happening between you?”
“It’s a long story.”
“And you’re short on time. It’s about to chime midnight, and I’m sure your friends are worried about you. Shall we rejoin them?”
Her grandmother led her back toward the house. “We have much to talk about. Do you want to know me better? I wouldn’t blame you if you prefer to follow your mother’s wishes and pretend I don’t exist.”
Sandrine stopped walking and clasped her grandmother’s hand. “How could I do that? I’ve only just found you. Of course I want to know you better.”
“I’m so glad. Though, you should keep our family association a secret for now since it could prove disastrous for your reputation.”
“Sandrine—I mean Lady Sapphire!” Francesca called eagerly, running to meet them. “We’ve been looking everywhere for you. We must hurry home now.”
“I’ll invent some excuse and come to see you tomorrow,” Sandrine said.
Her grandmother clasped her hand and gave her a warm smile. “Shall I send an unmarked carriage for you at three?”
“That would be perfect. Send the carriage to Miss Francesca McGovern’s house—only have the coachman wait a small distance away and I’ll find him.”
After searching for nearly a half hour, Dane located the man with the scorpion stickpin drinking champagne and talking to an alluring woman with black hair and a silver-spangled gown.
“Excuse us for a moment,” Dane said to the woman, taking the man’s arm and bending it behind his back.
“Pardon me, I’m not going anywhere with you,” said the thin gentleman with a supercilious sneer.
“You’ll come with me or I’ll punch you so hard your nose will be out of joint forever.”
“No need to resort to such ruffianly tactics, Lord Dane. I’ll spare you a few moments of my time. Wait for me here, my dear. I’ll be back momentarily.”
Dane guided him into an empty room and closed the door.
“Lord Dane, I was enjoying that conversation. You’d best have a good reason for cutting it short.”
“You know my name but I don’t know yours.”
“Desmond Orleans.”
“Why have you been asking so many questions about me, Mr. Orleans, and staring at me all through the prizefight?”
“I have a very good explanation, but I don’t owe it to you.”
“I know you’re a member of the Order of the Scorpion.”
“That is the name the public knows us by.”
“Were you acting on their orders?”
“I was.”
“Then is your Order behind this cowardly extortion attempt?”