“What in particular?” asked Giles as he handed Harry a brandy.

“Desmond Mellor is standing for deputy chairman at next month’s board meeting,” said Emma.

“Are you telling me that charlatan’s found two directors who are willing to propose and second him?” said Giles.

“Yes, his old friend Jim Knowles, assisted by his even older friend Clive Anscott.”

“But if they fail to get him elected,” said Giles, “surely all three of them will have to resign? So this could turn out to be a blessing in disguise.”

“Not much of a blessing if they do get him elected,” said Harry.

“Why? What’s the worst Mellor can do, even if he does become deputy chairman?” said Giles.

“He could suggest that I stand down until the trial is over,” said Emma, “‘for the good of the company.’”

“And then the deputy chairman would become acting chairman.”

“But only for a few weeks,” said Harry. “You’d return once the trial was over.”

“You can’t afford to give Mellor that much rope,” said Giles. “Once you’re no longer able to attend board meetings, he’ll find a way of making temporary become permanent, believe me.”

“But you could refuse to stand down, Emma, even if he does become your deputy,” suggested Harry.

“I won’t be given a lot of choice if I have to spend the best part of a month stuck in the High Court, defending myself.”

“But once you win…” said Giles.

“If I win.”

“I can’t wait to get in the witness box and tell the jury some home truths about Virginia.”

“We won’t be calling you, Giles,” said Emma quietly.

“But I know more about Virginia than—”

“That’s exactly what my barrister is worried about. After a few well-chosen words from her ex-husband, the jury might even end up feeling sorry for her, and Mr. Trelford, my barrister, says Sir Edward Makepeace, her silk, won’t be shy about raising the subject of your second divorce, and what caused it.”

“So who are you going to call?”

“Major Alex Fisher MP.”

“But won’t he be a defense witness?”

“Mr. Trelford doesn’t think so. Fisher could well be as much of a liability for them as you might be for us.”

“Then perhaps the other side will call me?” said Giles, sounding hopeful.

“Let’s hope not.”

“I’d pay good money to see Fisher in the witness box,” said Giles, ignoring his sister’s barb. “Remind Mr. Trelford that he’s got a very short fuse, especially if he’s not treated with the respect he feels he deserves, and that was true even before he became an MP.”

“The same can be said of Virginia,” said Harry. “She won’t be able to resist reminding everyone that she’s the daughter of an earl. And there won’t be too many of those on the jury.”