Juliette had heard enough. The poor girl. She made a mental note to add Anne Victon to any guest list she had a part in drawing up. Her parents would definitely approve.

“Shall we go and greet Mr. Swann?” she asked Heinrich. At least the duke wasn’t caught up in the pettiness of some people. He had always treated Daniel as a friend.

“Of course.” Heinrich bent a knowing gaze on her. He had heard the gossip too.

As they passed the doorway of the card room on the way, she spied Uncle Bertie leaning against the mantel, watching a table of four men. He looked up, gave her a wink and a nod toward the players, and went back to work.

He had found Robert Sewell. As soon as a chair opened at the table, he would no doubt take it and glean the information they were after. Juliette could relax.

At least until they made the half circuit of the room and fetched up beside Daniel and his partner.

“Good evening, Herr Swann. It is good to see you here.” Heinrich shook his hand, speaking a bit louder than necessary.

Juliette could have hugged him for his open acceptance of Daniel.

“And who is this charming young Fräulein?”

The girl, who looked to be a couple of years younger than Juliette’s nineteen, blushed prettily as Heinrich took her hand.

“Your Grace, meet Miss Anne Victon of Leeds. Miss Victon, this is Duke Heinrich von Lowe of Brandenburg, and Lady Juliette Thorndike.” Daniel’s blue eyes flicked to hers.

They did make a nice couple, Anne in her delicate muslin and Daniel in his formal coat and breeches.

“How do you do, Miss Victon? It’s a pleasure to meet you. Are you enjoying your debut Season?” Juliette put herself out to be kind. Something about Anne Victon reminded her of a cautious deer edging from the forest.

“Yes,” she said without conviction. “I’ve never been to London before. It’s so much bigger and busier than Leeds.”

“I felt the same way. It’s all a far cry from my family home in Pensax or boarding school in the mountains outside Geneva. Your dress is charming. I love that shade of blue. It reminds me of a piece of sea glass I found once.” Juliette tried to put the girl at ease. “Have you danced yet tonight?”

A shadow crossed Miss Victon’s face, and her hand tightened on Daniel’s arm. “No. Not yet.”