“It is my fault. I pushed us too hard. I fear Lady Hester has suffered from our speed too.”

Evan nodded. “I saw my sister and Miss Grant this morning—Miss Grant sent a note to meet them in the garden as they walked. I told them about the visit from Lord Brummell and Lord Alvanley and, as you can imagine, Hester and Miss Grant are extremely uneasy. I have asked them to endure for another day and then we will take steps to find them a permanent safe haven.”

“I think we could depend on Mr. Brummell’s discretion, but I am not sure about Lord Alvanley. Has he ever met Hester?”

“According to Hester, they have met once or twice,” Evan said. “Who knows if he would remember, but we cannot take the chance.”

“Where do you propose to find this safe haven?” I asked. “Out of England?”

“I think it must be so,” he said slowly. “Even if today proves fruitful, our brother will not politely stop looking for Hester while I attempt to exonerate myself.”

I sensed Julia’s eyes upon me; the question of what I would do if he really left this time was palpable between us. But I still had no answer for Julia or Evan, or even myself.

“Would you check on them during the day, Lady Julia?” Evan added. “A friendly face would no doubt calm their nerves.”

“Of course,” Julia said. “But you both must take care. If this Dr. Lawrence did, indeed, kill Mr. Sanderson, then you are dealing with a murderer.”

Beneath the table, I touched the reassuring length of knife and sheath stitched into my sleeve. “I know, but we are prepared.”

“I will not let anything happen to your sister,” Evan said.

“Like getting stabbed?” Julia said dryly. I opened my mouth to protest, but she waved away the necessity. “Just do not get hurt. Either of you. My nerves cannot take it.”

“We are only speaking to the man,” I said, glancing at Evan. “I am sure we will be safe.”

Of course, I could not promise such a thing and Julia knew it. There was only one certainty in the situation ahead, and that was that I trusted Evan with my life. I had already done so on at least three occasions.

Mind you, all things being equal, it would probably be better if we did not test that certainty quite so often.

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