Now all was right with the world; the Thraxtons were once again established in the eyes of society and Sir Phineas was exactly where he’d wanted to be—in Greyley’s luxuriously appointed library. Yawning in contentment, he rose to flip his extinguished cigarillo out the window, then returned to his comfortable chair. He propped his feet on the desk, leaned back, and closed his eyes. Time lolled to a stop…

“Sleeping?” piped a young voice so close to his ear that he bolted straight upright and almost fell out of the chair.

Selena stood at his elbow. She grinned at him, her white gown sporting a green stain, twigs sticking out of her mussed curls.

His heart slowed to normal and he grinned in return. “Running from Lily, are you?”

She nodded, then leaned closer to whisper. “She tolded me it was bath day. I don’t like bath day.”

“Hm. I suppose you want to hide in here, with me.”

Selena climbed into his lap and snuggled against him. “Thank you.”

“You are incorrigible,” he said, mussing her curls. “Where are the others?”

A sly smile tickled the little girl’s face. “It’s a secret.”

Chuckling, Sir Phineas hugged her to him and lit another cigarillo. He’d just settled back in his chair when the door flew open and Brand St. John stormed into the room. “Where is he?” the young man demanded, his mouth white, something clutched in his hand.

“Where is who?” Sir Phineas asked.

“My brother, that mangy, ill-begotten lump of—” Brand caught Selena’s wide gaze and reddened. “Anthony. I want to speak to Anthony.”

“He’s gone. Left for the honeymoon not ten minutes ago.” Sir Phineas made a perfect smoke ring while Selena giggled.

Brand’s face showed disbelief. “I thought they weren’t leaving until tomorrow!”

“Oh, I sent them off. After all, I’m here to see to things.”

“Yes, but—” Brand stared with a bemused expression at a small glittering circlet that lay in his palm. “What the hell am I supposed to do with this?”

Sir Phineas pulled Selena more comfortably into his lap so that he could lean forward to peer at the ring. “Ah, I’ve heard about that thing. Anna told me about it.”

“Did she mention that Anthony ordered Jenkins to hide it in my piece of cake?” Brand asked sourly. “I nearly broke a tooth.”

“I thought I broked a tooth once,” Selena piped up. “Only it was a rock in my peas.”

“It’s not quite the same thing,” Brand grumbled. “What do I do now? Everyone has already left. I’ll have this blasted thing until Michaelmas.”

“If you are fast enough, you might be able to find your brother Chase. I saw him not twenty minutes ago talking to a handsome young widow as she sat in her carriage in the drive. I daresay he’s there still.”

Brightening, Brand spun on his heel and left. Sir Phineas laughed softly. He wasn’t sure he believed that nonsense about the talisman ring any more than the St. Johns themselves. Still…Anthony had had it in his possession when he’d won Anna, so perhaps there was a little something to it after all. Sir Phineas blew another smoke ring and watched it drift to the ceiling. Perhaps the dashing Brand St. John was on his way to an adventure of his own.