Two hours later, after regaining my composure and changing into a new blue gown, I went down to breakfast. I had, in fact, spent more time than usual choosing my ensemble. Later in the day we were expecting a call from Colonel Drysan, who had been present, twenty years ago, at the duel between Lord Evan and Mr. Sanderson that had sent Evan to the penal colony for murder.

I had organized this meeting with the colonel three weeks ago, but he had been forced to cry off due to an attack of gout. Well, that was the excuse he had alluded to in his note of apology, but I could not help wondering if he had, in fact, been avoiding the visit for some other reason. Whatever the case, I had reissued the invitation twice and he had finally agreed to make his call today.

I had high hopes for the visit. All accounts of the duel, including Evan’s own, reported that Mr. Sanderson had been fatally caught across the chest by the tip of Evan’s sword. Even so, I was not convinced that he had killed Sanderson. If there was any justice in the world, Colonel Drysan would provide some clue as to what had really happened and so set us upon the path to clear Evan’s name.

Julia was already installed at the breakfast table and intently reading a letter as she sipped her tea. She had, it seemed, dressed for the impending interview, too, for she wore a new white lace cap and a white gown with a dusky rose over-tunic—a heartening departure from the sorrow-drenched grays and purples she usually wore in memory of Robert, her late betrothed.

I was glad of the change, but I could not help noting that it had occurred after Mr. Kent, the Bow Street Runner, had visited us. Admittedly, the man had risked his policing career by obscuring the facts about Lady Hester’s rescue, and then compounded that risk by coming to warn us that the thieftaker Mulholland was now pursuing Lord Evan. Even so, it was clear the real reason he had called upon us was to see Julia. There was no doubt he was a charming man, but, as I reminded my sister, he was also a Runner who would have no compunction about arresting Lord Evan if given the chance. A rather awkward situation, all round.

Julia looked up from her letter and smiled as I took my seat. “Oh, you do look nice,” she said, then lifted the thick packet she was perusing. “I have received a letter from Miss Sarah Ponsonby.”