“I imagine he’s keeping the juicier ones in reserve,” said Lady Matheson. “Princess Alice was in Lugano, wasn’t she?”

“While they were in exile,” said Iris. “Before Andrea came back to Greece.”

“And he came back without her,” said Lady Matheson. “He left her behind out of concern for her safety. You say the dates work out for Philip’s birth?”

“They do,” said Gwen. “Or at least, they don’t not work out.”

“Any ‘C’s in her life, assuming this purported lover was clumsy enough to use his actual initial?”

“Christo,” said Iris. “Andrea’s younger brother. He and Alice were close. How close, I wouldn’t venture to guess.”

“But every tabloid journalist in London would,” said Lady Matheson. “We cannot discount it. That’s the damnable thing about this entire business.”

“Then are you going to place the advertisement in the Times?” asked Gwen.

“We already have,” said Lady Matheson. “We will all meet back here tomorrow at one thirty.”

“Here?” exclaimed Iris. “Why here?”

“Because we used your number in the ad,” explained Lady Matheson, an amused glint in her eyes as she saw the gathering outrage before her.

“Who the hell said we would agree to that?” sputtered Iris in fury. “That was never part of the bargain!”

“I could hardly be publishing a private palace number in the Times’s personals, could I?”

“Really, Patience,” said Gwen. “This is beyond the pale. Next thing you know, you’ll be expecting us to make the purchase for you.”

Lady Matheson and Mrs. Fisher exchanged glances.

“Now that you’ve mentioned it,” began Lady Matheson.

“No,” said Iris firmly. “Go to the police. You have the clout to keep this quiet, but what you’re talking about is illegal.”

“It is,” said Lady Matheson. “Sometimes one has to ignore that, as I’m sure the two of you know, given your recent experiences.”

“Why us?” asked Iris. “A man will be waiting in a deserted rendezvous for a woman to walk in with five thousand pounds. How do we know this won’t result in a dead woman, no money, and no letters?”

“It’s potentially dangerous,” acknowledged Lady Matheson.

“Potentially, my foot,” said Gwen. “It’s nothing but dangerous.”

“Which is why Miss Sparks is best suited for undertaking the task,” said Lady Matheson.

“What makes you think that?” asked Iris.

“Your training during the war,” said Lady Matheson. “You can handle yourself in a tight spot, even when unarmed. Don’t ask me how I know about that, by the way.”

“You are very well informed,” said Iris. “But even with my so-called skills, why me? There are people—there are women working for the Crown in various capacities who are just as qualified. I’m a civilian.”

“Which is the major part of why I’d rather you be the one,” said Lady Matheson. “I want no connection between this transaction and anyone working for His Majesty’s government.”

“You had that in mind all along, didn’t you?” asked Gwen. “You knew when you hired us to look into Philip’s background that you might be using us for the exchange.”