He inclined his head. “Indeed, and I understand your discomfort with the idea. However, it has come to our attention that a much more highly ranked problem has become embedded in our society. A person, or perhaps people—we are not yet certain—who have collected harmful information about highly placed officials and are using it to protect themselves and influence the outcome of government and military decisions. We know the identity of one of the perpetrators and we are now trying to discover how deep the rot has penetrated.”

“That is indeed a grave concern,” I said. “But what does it have to do with us?”

“You and Lady Julia, and also Lord Evan Belford and Mr. Kent”—he paused to allow his knowledge of our connection to settle—“have inadvertently become noticed by the architect of this villainous activity. As you are quite aware, he has already attempted to kill Lord Evan, and now he knows about your association with his lordship.”

“We thought you were trying to kill Lord Evan,” Julia said.

Mr. Whitmore gave a thin smile. “Quite the opposite, my lady.”

“Who is trying to kill him, then? And why?” I demanded.

“Lord Milroy.”

“Milroy?” Julia said. “He has the reputation of being devoted to pleasure and gambling and not much else.”

I recalled my clashes with the man and the hideous wagers written in the Exalted Brethren’s wager book. The kind of pleasure he took was in the pain and humiliation of women. And perhaps their deaths.

“I have heard whispers that he is a kingmaker and has some influence,” I said.

“That is more to the truth, Lady Augusta,” Whitmore said. “He takes great care to be seen living a rake’s life of dissipation and indulgence but is, in fact, a very shrewd manipulator. We believe he is under the impression that Lord Evan saw something that would destroy his position in society. Lord Evan tells us that he cannot remember seeing any such thing, but despite Lord Milroy’s self-proclaimed love of cards and dice, he is not a man who takes chances.”

“You mean Lord Evan saw something at the Exalted Brethren of Rack and Ruin twenty years ago?” I queried. “It does not seem enough of a reason to order someone’s death, the mere possibility that they have seen something.” I felt a leap of logic. “Did Milroy orchestrate Lord Evan’s duel with Sanderson?”

“Maybe so, though it would be a haphazard way to dispatch someone. I believe there is more to the story and I have tried to discover it, but to no avail.”

“Ah, so you are not a member at that club by choice, are you?” I said.

He grimaced. “I am not.”

“You are there to watch Lord Milroy.”

He nodded. “I am.”