Lucas said, “Naturally, Lord D. had no interest in a maid, and he never gave her another moment’s thought after sending her off to be ravished. But he did think a good deal about his wife’s money. As he filed for divorce and the legal proceedings moved forward, he made repeated attempts to gain control of Lady D.’s trusts. That was entirely for the benefit of his son, of course. He sent the boy off to the Scranton School so he’d be no bother.”

Lucas turned stage right. “Behold, more witnesses!”

Three soberly dressed lawyers stepped onto the stage. They were Kendra’s family lawyers and they detailed the repeated legal attempts Denshire had made to gain control of Kendra’s money.

The senior lawyer concluded by saying, “Having worked with Kendra Douglas for years, I know what a fine brain she has for investments, and I also know her handwriting. It was easy to identify the forgeries that Lord Denshire presented two or three times.” The lawyer gave a sharp smile. “He never had a chance of succeeding. The lady’s grandfather was exceptionally astute, and there was no way the trusts could be broken by an ignorant amateur.”

Denshire scowled at the insult, but he said defiantly, “Of course I tried to gain control of her fortune for my son’s sake! In any normal marriage, I would have had control from the beginning. Nothing illegal in trying to take what was mine. But all your fancy talk doesn’t cover up the fact that the slut lay with my friends. That was the basis of the divorce. They’ve all testified to the facts and they are honest men!”

His friends nodded uneasily, with Hollowell looking the most uneasy of all. “It’s true,” one of the others said. “She wanted me sure enough. I can’t lie and say it didn’t happen.”

“It’s interesting that you say that,” Lucas observed with an air of innocent surprise. “Here is our final witness. Known as Aphrodite, she was hired to provide ‘entertainment’ for Lord D.’s friends that night.”

The crucial moment had arrived. Kendra turned to the left, watching Aphrodite sweep onto the stage. She was a little shorter and rounder than Kendra, but she wore an identical gown and mask. The onlookers surely thought they were looking at twins. Shock shivered through the theater.

Aphrodite said in a ladylike voice, “Indeed he did hire me and he paid a pretty penny for my time!”

She and Kendra faced each other, then bowed politely as if they’d just been introduced. Lucas asked, “Have you two ever met or exchanged information with each other?”

“No, we have not,” Kendra said.

Aphrodite shook her head. “No, there has been no exchange between us before this moment.”

Lucas said, “Aphrodite, can you prove it was you who entertained these gentlemen, not Lady Denshire?”