“It was he,” Daniel confirmed. “We were so rude as to invite him to sit with us.”

“He seems quite out of sorts. I think love has addled his brain,” Juliette offered.

“That seems to be the universal effect of romance.” Sir Bertrand shrugged. “It is why I avoid entanglements of the heart. I need my wits about me. Are you having a pleasant evening, Juliette?”

“I am. And you?”

“Profitable. I believe someone from the River Police will be paying a call to Customs and Excise at the London docks tomorrow, which will tidy up the situation completely. You, Lady Juliette, are now free of any other work but to enjoy yourself tonight.” He nodded at Daniel. “I came looking for you, however. Mrs. Fairchild is in the gaming room, and she’s playing at one of the high-stakes tables. She’s with that Donaldson gentleman who accompanied her to the Montgomery service.”

“Is she winning?” Daniel hid his distaste. The woman was far too emotional for his liking, always seeking to be the center of attention. “And why is she in the card room when she is better suited for the ballroom?”

“That’s the odd thing. She’s not winning. But Donaldson is, and quite handsomely. I have been watching their table, and I think they’re working in tandem while the other two players are paying the price.”

Daniel weighed his options. Was this really a matter for the police? Not under normal circumstances. If people were silly enough to wager over a game of chance, they must take whatever results came their way.

But if the tables were tilted in someone’s favor unfairly, that was another kettle of fish.

“Do you know how they’re doing it? Marked cards, or illegal dealing, or signaling?”

“I heard quite a bit of table talk, but they were all doing it. I suspect Donaldson is the acute mind and Mrs. Fairchild is the distraction. She is displaying her … er … wares rather boldly.”

He would have to step in, he supposed. “If you’ll escort Lady Juliette back to the duke’s table, I’ll wander into the card room and see what eventuates.”

“Oh, no,” Juliette protested. “I want to see what she does. There is something quite off about Mrs. Fairchild, especially her supposed relationship with Mr. Montgomery, how that sort of sprang out of the blue once he was no longer here to refute her claims. I received a note from Agatha this afternoon. Mrs. Fairchild stopped by her house again, and according to Agatha’s report, she intimated that if Agatha was loyal to her father’s memory, she would not be stingy when it came to giving out little presents to those who also loved him. I cannot tell if Agatha is being overly dramatic or if something unsavory is going on. I only know I do not care for the woman.”