“And we’re very grateful for that,” Anna said with a straight face. “But now I’ll have to steal her away. I want her to meet some of the other guests.”

As much as he wanted to see Jake’s face when he realized Anna had fallen in love, Gideon knew good manners compelled him to sacrifice himself. “Then I’ll take Miss Quincy’s place, if you’ll have me, Miss Adams.”

Miss Adams was only too happy to accept his company, and he watched Anna and Miss Quincy stroll away, arm in arm.

—

We’re just friends,” Anna insisted on the cab ride home in response to Elizabeth’s questions.

“I’m still very happy for you,” Elizabeth said, feeling more than happy. “She is lovely.”

“How did Jake take the news?” Gideon asked.

“Remarkably well,” Elizabeth reported. “At least he didn’t challenge Miss Quincy to a duel or anything.”

“Why should Jake care if I have a friend?” Anna protested.

“I told you, you’re Jake’s only friend,” Elizabeth said. “I was afraid he might be jealous.”

“Anna is Jake’s only friend?” Gideon marveled.

“According to Elizabeth,” Anna said. “At any rate, a person can have more than one friend, and there’s absolutely no reason for him to be jealous. What a preposterous idea.”

“As long as you maintain your position as an amateur con artist, I’m sure Jake will be happy,” Gideon said.

“Why am I only an amateur?” Anna asked, affronted.

“Because you don’t get paid.”

Both women stared at him in the shadows of the cab.

“What?” he demanded.

Elizabeth patted his hand. He really was so sweet. “Nothing, darling.”

“So did Jake have a good idea for one of your predictions?” Anna asked, obviously anxious to change the subject.

“Oh yes. I never would have thought of it myself, but it’s brilliant. We have to wait, though, because it has to come later. It’s the convincer.”

“What’s a convincer?” Gideon asked.

“Usually, it’s the money you let the mark win to convince him the game is really fixed in his favor. That just gets him more excited and greedy, so he bets more and more. In this case, it means the final prediction that will make Madame Ophelia believe I really have the sight.”

“Do I want to know what it is?” Gideon asked.

“No, darling, you don’t.”

“But I do,” Anna insisted.

“And so do I,” the driver called from the front seat.

Elizabeth didn’t tell them, of course, but the driver wouldn’t even let Gideon tip him.

“You folks were the most interesting passengers I’ve had all week,” he said.

—