“That, dear Petra, is the Viscomtesse Clothilde Delmont,” Edward informed her in a low voice. “Something of a mystery woman, but it’s rumored that there’s no mystery between herself and Granville. They’re very well acquainted with each other’s secrets.”

“She’s his mistress, you mean?” Petra asked, forcing herself to look away before anyone noticed her interest.

“So it’s believed.”

“She certainly stands out in a crowd,” Diana observed. She frowned. “Something to be considered in our strategizing.”

“What strategizing?” Rupert asked suspiciously. “What are you three cooking up now?”

“Absolutely nothing,” his wife responded with a bland smile. “Nothing to concern you anyway, my love.”

“If that’s supposed to reassure me, it most certainly does not,” Rupert declared, putting an arm around her shoulders and easing her toward the entrance. “It’s time we went home. Say good night now.”

Diana grinned. “Such a masterful man . . . Good night, all. I’ll see you tomorrow at Petra’s, Fenella.”

“I’ll expect you both around eleven.” Petra blew her a farewell kiss, following with her brother, Fenella and Edward out into still thronged Piccadilly.

“We’ll walk home,” Fenella said, kissing her friend. “Shepherd Street is only around the corner.”

Petra waved them goodbye as they disappeared into the crowd. “Let’s walk home too, Joth. It’s such a gorgeous night and I don’t feel in the least tired. If my shoes bother me, I’ll take them off and carry them.”

Her brother hesitated a little awkwardly, “I was hoping you wouldn’t mind taking a cab home without me. A group of us had planned to meet at the Reform later this evening. Asquith is going to be there.”

“Then of course you must go,” Petra said immediately. “You’ll talk politics with the chancellor all night, and I wouldn’t dream of standing in your way. I’ll walk a little bit along Piccadilly and hail a cab the rest of the way home. Go on,” she urged, seeing his hesitation. “I’ll be perfectly fine. It’s quite safe with all these people around.”

Jonathan looked around, in two minds. There was no real reason for his sister not to take an unaccompanied stroll on a major thoroughfare on a summer night, but it seemed unchivalrous to abandon her. However, there was no knowing how long Asquith, the chancellor of the exchequer, would be at the Reform Club that night, and Jonathan was an ambitious young man. A rising Liberal politician had to ensure that the great and the good of his party took notice of him.

“If you’re sure . . .”

“Of course I am.” She gave him a little shove. “Go.”

He smiled ruefully as he kissed her. “All right, but I feel horribly guilty.”