“I did. It was exactly what I needed, my dear. A good gallop.” She opened her mouth to continue her protest, but I hurried on to the meat of the matter. “I came across Lord Milroy. He was with a Mr. Rampling, who was riding a lovely gray mare. The thing is, Julia, he was riding her lame, and even when I told him, he would not dismount. So I rather saw red and ended up buying her.”

“You bought her?” Julia echoed. “Gus, you cannot save everything in the world. Last week it was that cat with one ear, and now a horse? We have enough on our plates at the moment dealing with our new friends.” She glanced upward to the next floor, where Lady Hester and Miss Grant were situated. Although considering Miss Grant’s recently aired thoughts, perhaps they were not.

“The fool was going to damage her just because he did not want to walk, Julia. I could not bear it. John Driver says she will come good. You would have done the same.”

“I doubt it,” Julia said dryly. “You are rather formidable when you ‘see red.’ ” She eyed me with resignation. “Perhaps we can use her for the servants’ gig.”

“A good thought,” I said with conciliatory enthusiasm, although the mare would be the most expensive gig horse in history. Before Julia thought to ask what I had paid, I added, “You will never guess who else I met there. George Brummell. And he had some rather disquieting news.”

With a glance, I gathered Weatherly into the conversation. He had accompanied us on all our missions of rescue and had proved himself as capable with his fists as he was with a wine inventory. I suspected he enjoyed an adventure as much as I did.

They both listened intently as I reported my conversation with Mr. Brummell, including his odd warning at the end.

“You trust Mr. Brummell’s information, my lady?” Weatherly asked when I had finished.

“I do. If anyone would know what is happening within society, it is the Beau. I think we will have only a matter of a week or two before Deele discovers his sister is in London and takes action.”

Julia sighed. “I do not know what is to be done with Lady Hester. She is still far too fragile to be moved. Besides, where would we move her to?”

“She may be fragile, but at least she is up and walking now. I saw her and Miss Grant in the stables.” I paused, letting that information settle. “I spoke to Miss Grant and she is adamant that once Lady Hester is recovered, they will be on their way.”

Julia frowned. “They were in the stables?”