“It’s safe enough with an escort,” Lord Mannering said. “I wouldn’t let the ladies out of my sight.” He looked to Effie. “Do say you’ll join us. I’m told that Galezzo crosses the wire both forward and backward. Imagine!”

Effie recalled her promise to Carena Compton—and her reasons for making it. “Lady Belwood is right. It does sound thrilling. But surely such a death-defying display deserves a larger party?” She brightened. “I know! We could invite Miss Compton.”

Miss Mannering’s thin brows lifted at the suggestion. She noticeably refrained from comment.

Lord Mannering shifted in his seat. “Don’t mean to be ungracious, but…not much fun for a chap to host a large party of females. Hadn’t we best keep it just you, me, and m’sister?”

“Yes, I see.” Effie nodded in thought. “Naturally, we shall have to add two more gentlemen to the group to even the numbers.”

Miss Mannering’s mouth curved with quiet understanding. She doubtless suspected that Effie desired to convert a potential tête-à-tête with Lord Mannering into a less intimate affair, without outright rejecting the man. “Lord Powell might be willing,” she said. “He and my brother often go about together to these sorts of events.”

“Not quite the same, Ruth,” Lord Mannering said under his breath.

“Lord Powell will do nicely.” Effie’s thoughts turned to the red brick house in Sloane Street, with its black-painted door. To the way she’d felt looking up at it this morning. A wild idea took hold of her. “And I know just the gentleman to complete our party,” she said. “Miss Compton mentioned him particularly.”

“A gentleman for Miss Compton?” Lord Mannering perked up. “Oh, well that’s all right.”

“You’ll join us then, Miss Flite?” Miss Mannering asked.

“I would be delighted,” Effie said.

She told herself later, as she wrote out the invitation to Gabriel, that she was only doing it to vex him. It was important to keep one’s enemies close. More important still to keep them off-balance. If she played her hand well, a visit to Cremorne Gardens tomorrow night would do both.

But as she sealed the envelope and rang for a footman to deliver it to Sloane Street, Effie knew herself to be a liar. There was only one reason for inviting Gabriel. It had nothing to do with strategy, and everything to do with her heart.

16

On returning to Sloane Street that evening, after a day spent in meetings with Lord Haverford and his influential friends, Gabriel was met in the hall by Kilby, Ollie O’Cleary, and Bill Walsh. The three hovered as Gabriel divested himself of his hat, coat, and gloves.