“Relieved to avoid the encounter, naturally.” Simon shuddered.

If Lady Pinckney were to get a whiff of their presence, she would never leave. She sought male attention wherever it could be found. And worse, the neighborhood would soon be made aware of her suspicions as to the men’s motivations for visiting Scarlet.

Scarlet indicated that they all be seated and rang for some more tea. Looking into the faces of her dear friends, a lump formed in her throat and she almost couldn’t speak her next words. “We must go back to France at the soonest tide. Tonight, if possible with a team of six.”

Simon and Andrew both sharpened their gaze and, without hesitation, nodded.

Scarlet eyed them both. “You are either the bravest and most loyal men in all of England or the most smitten with me. Which is it?”

Simon smiled gently and then quirked his brow. “Well, it isn’t your manner of dressing that attracts us, I assure you.” He waved his quizzing glass over her person. “Lavender, my lady, to be sure. With red. No, I cannot possibly be smitten with that.” He reached for her hand. “I know not if it is bravery or insanity, but we have pledged to serve thee and our league. If there is a need for us in France, then it is to France we will go.”

Scarlet’s eyes misted over, and she looked questioningly at Andrew.

He swallowed and nodded. “I would not miss an adventure with the lot of you, not for all the balls and lovely smiles in London.”

Scarlet breathed out in relief and nodded.

The butler entered. “Lord Courtenay, Marquis of Exeter, to see Lord Devereaux, my lady.”

Scarlet nearly choked on her tea. “How can he know you are here?”

Simon rose his eyes to the ceiling. “I cannot fathom how, but he is almost as persistent as you, Lady Cavendish. The man wants to be involved.”

“Of course he’s involved. Does he not remember our recent escape with the de Molier family?”

Andrew brushed his jacket. “He wants to know the Pimpernel. We’ve had a devil of a time dissuading him. I feared he would take to following us around.” He indicated the direction of the front door as evidence.

Scarlet eyed them both. Her heartbeat sped up as it did every time she let another into her confidence. “I see no need to tell him . . .” She let her voice trail away. The man could be trusted. He had been remarkably brave and selfless on all their missions.

Her friends watched her, waiting.

“Should we include him?”

Andrew nodded, but Simon hesitated.

“Do you not trust him, Simon?”

He adjusted his quizzing glass. “I do trust him to safeguard this knowledge with his life. I just don’t know how he will respond.”

“Respond?”