“You trusted a woman’s strength? That was not risky, it was reckless. You must promise me that you will never try anything like that again without having me present.”

“There will be no need to repeat the exercise. As I said, I am convinced it was possible. He would have to be caught unawares, though. If he saw it coming, it would never work.”

“I suppose anyone in the house could have done it.”

“Or anyone who entered the house unseen. The family has not been removed from the list.” How hard would it be to slip in? He would have to check tomorrow. Not tonight. Twenty-five past nine.

Nicholas downed the rest of his port, then sank low in the divan’s cushions. “Hell of a thing. I look around this house, amazed it is mine. I assumed he would eventually remarry, and sire his heir. Everyone did.”

“The reason you inherited still weighs on you. With time—”

“With time I will long for simply being a man about town, without all these obligations and responsibilities. I will miss attending balls where no one takes my expectations too seriously and I can flirt with women without having them calculating the riches that marriage will bring them.”

“You can still do that. You just have to pick different women.”

“Married ones, you mean. Or courtesans.”

“Or ones who know you will never marry them.”

Nicholas brightened a bit at the various options enumerated. “Ah, I forgot to tell you at dinner. I received a letter from Sanders today. He had been called upon by a solicitor engaged by Aunt Dolores, who took two hours to explain that I am duty bound to provide for her the way her brother did. He handed over a long list of everything she received in the last five years, even above and beyond her allowance which alone was handsome. It was down to the shilling.”

“You are under no obligations.”

Nicholas laughed. “As if you would be so brave as to say that to them.”

“I’d be brave enough to explain that my situation did not match Uncle Frederick’s, so my generosity could not either.” Thirty-five minutes past nine.

“Dolores will never listen to reason of that kind.”

“You will find a way to settle with her in a way she accepts, I am sure. Deciding about the cousins will be harder.”

Forty minutes past nine. Chase set his glass down with finality. He stifled a feigned yawn and added a stretch for good measure. “I think I will retire. There are things I must do in the morning.”

“It is early for you. I hope you are not getting too old to drink the night away with me. If I am to pursue inappropriate women, I will expect your company.”

“No, no. Merely tonight I keep yawning, so some sleep is in order.”