“I hope you will join in the debate again tonight, Lady Augusta,” Agnes said. “Last circle was so invigorating.”

I thought of Duffy’s pronouncement that I was a laughingstock for such oratory pretensions. “Indeed, I will. Do you know Lord Sidmouth’s subject?”

“I believe he intends to raise the specter of the French Revolution, the current Luddite outrages, and how to quell the revolutionaries.” She referred to the workers—called Luddites by the newspapers—who had rioted in protest at the introduction of machines that had rendered their skills obsolete. Agnes looked across at the home secretary, then leaned closer, lowering her voice. “The use of the militia to quell the violence, writs to intercept mail, and even placing spies among the lower orders.” Her mouth pursed. “No doubt necessary, but there is something unsavory about a government spying upon its own people to root out dissent, do you not think?”

“Are you saying that such agents are in action now?” It was well-known that the French Directory had used spies, agents provocateurs, and informers to send thousands of people to la guillotine. Surely the British government did not follow such a notorious precedent of espionage. Particularly agents provocateurs. A disturbing thought.

“It is what I have heard from those who would know,” she said. Considering the circles in which she and Mary moved, her intelligence had some credence. “Although I know most governments must employ such creatures,” she added, “I cannot help but feel such maneuverings are despicable. It offends every sense of fair play.”

“You sound as if you are on the side of the revolutionaries,” I said archly.

Agnes clutched my arm in mock alarm. “For heaven’s sake, Lady Augusta, do not even whisper such a thing.”

We both laughed, but underneath her funning was a dark truth. It was too easy to be suspected of revolution these days, such was the extreme alarm of the government. On top of that was the fervor of those patriots who informed upon their fellow citizens to save England from the same fate as France. One only had to think back to 1793 and 1794, when men were executed or transported for gathering under the banner of reform. Even now, anyone could be under suspicion of being a dissenter, especially if one did not live within the confines of society’s expectations.

“I believe you are friends with Lady Deele, Miss Berry,” I said. Not the most adroit change of subject, but I could see that her sister had approached Lord Sidmouth, no doubt to prepare him to call for order.

Agnes smiled warmly. “Indeed I am. Are you acquainted?”

“No, but my brother is a good friend of his lordship and I know that Lady Deele is imminent with her first. I hoped to hear good news. I thought Lord Deele might even be here to ask, since I’ve heard he was in London.”