“From what you said, you want to have legal custody of your son,” Laurel said. “For that, your reputation needs to be rehabilitated in the eyes of the world and the law. I doubt the divorce could be reversed even with proof that it was based on fraudulent evidence, and I assume you wouldn’t want it to be.”

Kendra shuddered. “I don’t even want to be in the same room with that man, much less married to him!”

Laurel nodded acknowledgment. “You told the women’s group that your first priority was to get your son back. Now that you have him, the new priority must be keeping him legally. That means restoring your reputation, which can only be done by publicly proving that Denshire not only lied, but orchestrated an elaborate fraud designed to vilify you.”

“That’s a good summary,” Kendra said. “Do you have any thoughts about how it might be done?”

“You said that Denshire is socially ambitious,” Laurel said. “Your female allies have a great deal of social power, and they’ve started what could be called a whispering campaign saying that he has behaved despicably and is not a desirable guest. He is getting fewer invitations, especially to more prestigious events, and he’s said to be outraged by this.”

“I approve of anything that annoys him,” Kendra said, “but can this be used to help me to my goals?”

“Perhaps. The strategy I have in mind is unpredictable, but it might help your reputation and your chances of getting custody of your son. We can arrange a very exclusive event, perhaps a ball or soiree hosted by two duchesses, and send invitations to Denshire and the three friends who testified to your alleged wanton behavior,” Laurel explained.

“I’m sure he’d love that,” Kendra agreed. “Then what?”

“Once he’s there, we confront him with his sins. Perhaps the woman who took your place will testify and confront the men who lay with her, making it clear that it was she, not you. If we can find your missing maid, she can attest that you were drugged that night and she herself was threatened.” Laurel smiled wickedly. “And among the other guests will be a high-ranking cleric or two. Perhaps even the Archbishop of Canterbury.”

Kendra gasped. “You can arrange all that?”

“It will be a joint effort, but yes, I believe it could be done,” Laurel assured her. “Mariah, the Duchess of Ashton, would host the event at Ashton House, which is a very fine venue for entertaining. Co-hostess would be the dowager Duchess of Charente, one of the most highly respected women in society and Lady Julia’s grandmother. Lady Julia’s brother is the young and rather reclusive Duke of Castleton, and she might be able to lure him to attend.”

“What about the Archbishop of Canterbury?” Kendra asked faintly.