Philippa shook her head. “These four come from different sets, and they match perfectly. All the Northrup volumes are likely signed in this manner. With the unique signature of the original artists, Agnes Northrup and Katherine Claybourne.”

Captain Northrup’s face went bright red. “I…”

Philippa touched the topmost volume. “There is no denying who should be honored for their artistic talent and their genius, and who should not.”

“She means not you, pup,” Tommy barked at Captain Northrup. “Three cheers for Agnes, Katherine, and Miss Damaris Urqhart, lady cryptographer!”

Philippa’s reading circle cheered first and loudest. The rest of the women in the ballroom joined in the cheer.

Damaris’s mother linked arms with her daughter and glared at her brother in stony silence.

The brigadier-general turned to Northrup. “You stole the cipher from your niece.”

“Just like his knavish ancestor!” Tommy quavered helpfully. “Supplanting women for personal gain is in this swindler’s blood.”

“Can there still be a Northrup Salon?” Philippa asked. “Is ‘In honor of Agnes Northrup and Katherine Claybourne’ too long to fit on a plaque?”

“I cannot fathom what actions the Prince Regent may take,” said Brigadier-General Boswick. The cold look he gave Northrup indicated the brigadier-general referred to consequences far beyond whether the Royal Military Academy would rechristen one of its chambers. “Perhaps he’ll start by canceling your pension.”

“I see there won’t be a new viscount in January after all,” Tommy said loud enough to be heard in every corner of the ballroom. “Unless lady cryptographers can be viscounts, too?”

“That would be wonderful, Aunt,” Chloe said, materializing at Tommy’s side. “I hope we all send letters of support to encourage Parliament to crown her a peeress in her own right. In the meantime, I imagine any hostess worth her salt will be certain to have Damaris’s name at the top of her guest list.”

“I hope you come to my musicale, Miss Urqhart,” Lady Southwell blurted out.

“And my supper party,” said Lady Ainsworth. “My daughter would love to speak to you.”

Northrup’s circle of onetime admirers dispersed, putting physical distance between themselves and their erstwhile idol. For him, it appeared the ball was over.

For Damaris, it was just beginning. She hugged Philippa tight. “Thank you.”

The rest of the reading circle joined them, before Damaris’s mother pulled her away to bask in her newfound popularity.

“You did it,” Tommy said to Philippa. “I had no idea tearing a tiny hole in patriarchal coverture would make my nether regions so excited.”

Philippa elbowed her in the ribs and tried not to laugh with joy. She had done it. They had done it.

They were heroines!

34

34

Warm sunlight streamed through Philippa’s bedroom window at eight o’clock the following morning. She awoke with Tiglet curled into her side. A smile took over her face. She felt as though illuminated manuscripts with tales of chivalry and heroic knights had been written about her.