“So I have heard.” He saw my consternation. “Yes, I am aware of the escapades that you and your sister have been involved in over the last few months. There are others who have noticed too.”

That sounded rather alarming. “Others? Who do you mean?” I asked.

He gave a languid wave of refusal. “That I cannot divulge. Go on.”

I considered pushing for an answer, but it was taking us too far from the urgent matter at hand.

“You are the leader of society, George. Whatever you do, or publicly support, will be followed by everyone else. I want you to tell Deele to leave Lady Hester and Miss Grant alone or you will turn society against him.”

He did not demur at the statement of his power. “You are asking me to interfere in a private family matter.”

“I am. And I am also asking that you persuade Lord Alvanley to do the same. I know he is friendly with Deele, but his support would count for a lot too. As would his condemnation of any further incarceration in an asylum.”

“I see.”

“I would also ask that you and Lord Alvanley do not, in any way, report the fact that you will have seen Lord Evan.” I thought it prudent to be totally honest. “He is wanted, you know.”

“I am aware.”

I was tempted to ask how he obtained all his information, but I knew I would just receive that languid wave again.

He stared down at his perfectly polished black boots, brow knit, patently considering my proposition. I held my breath. The cat must have sensed the tension, for it stood and stretched, then settled back to lick its paw to defuse the situation.

Finally, George looked up, an uncustomary sober look upon his handsome features. “I will do as you ask, Augusta, and I can guarantee Alvanley’s support and discretion in regard to Lord Evan too—” I rose, elated, to seal the deal, but he held up his hand. “Wait, there is more.” I sank back down to my seat. “As you know, I am a collector of favors, always with a view to claiming a return at some future time. That time has come for you, my dear. I will soon be asking a favor of you and your sister, and like yours, it is an important favor.”

“What is it?”

“I cannot say. Not yet, anyway.”

“You want me to agree to a favor that I know nothing about?”

“I do. But you are a risk-taker, like me, Augusta. And I also know you are a woman of honor. This will be the return of all those favors I have done for you. Your slate, so to speak, wiped clean.”

From his grave expression, this was a large favor, indeed. And I did not like the idea of promising something I did not yet know about. Still, I could not refuse. Too much depended upon my agreement.