I met his gaze with a stern one. “Possibly, but I am not certain I could keep up the lie.”

Mr. Fielding’s color rose, but his smile remained. “I think you could, with training.” The smile turned admiring, more than was proper. “You and I, dear lady, could swallow the world.”

I glanced at Daniel, who was rigid with anger, but he kept that anger in check. Buried it a long way beneath a cool façade, one that pretended he didn’t care one whit what his brother got up to.

I understood, though I might not if I hadn’t seen Mr. Fielding today. If Daniel became protective of me, let on that he cared, Mr. Fielding might find a way to use that caring against him. I’d sensed a rivalry when I’d first seen the two together, one I suspected had begun the long-ago day they’d met in the house of Mr. Carter.

Mr. Thanos was the one who grew indignant on my behalf. “I say, steady on,” he said to Mr. Fielding. “Do not insult Mrs. Holloway, who is a dear friend and a good lady. I will not have it in my house.”

Mr. Fielding opened his mouth—possibly to make some jibe, such as perhaps Mr. Thanos would be fine if he insulted me on the street. But Mr. Fielding caught the angry gazes of Miss Townsend and Lady Cynthia, took in Daniel’s motionless stance, and rose to his feet.

He bowed to me. “You are correct, Mr. Thanos. I am a blackguard, and always have been. Mrs. Holloway has done me nothing but good turns, and I had no call to speak to her in such a base fashion. My apologies, madam.”

“I took no offense.” I gave him a nod to show my willingness to forget it. “Never mind, Mr. Thanos. You are very kind to speak for me.”

The tension in the room eased. Mr. Fielding did look contrite, but I believed I had the measure of him.

Miss Townsend applauded with her gloved hands. “You are excellent at dissembling, Mr. Fielding. As am I. I will go with you and help you shake out the truth. Gently, of course.”

“Probably best you do come along,” Lady Cynthia said to her. “I might not be able to contain my own temper.”

“It’s settled then,” I said. “The four of you will make appointments with these people and visit them. Meanwhile, Daniel and I will confer on what else we can do.”

“A sound idea,” Mr. Fielding said. “Don’t keep us in suspense, good fellow,” he said to Mr. Thanos. “Who are we visiting?”

Mr. Thanos, flustered, returned to sorting through his notes. He fished a paper to the top of the stack and read out two names.