Philippa dropped her voice. “No. Neither does Mother. She just likes to appear in control in front of her friends.”

“I shan’t disappoint her.” Tommy made a show of consulting her own watch. “It is my honor. We shall deliver your daughter with ten minutes to spare.”

“Why did you give up ten of our minutes?” Philippa whispered.

“I didn’t,” Tommy whispered back. “You just told me she hasn’t a pocket watch. I’ll set mine to be half an hour late.”

As the groups divided in separate directions, a rush of joy filled her at the prospect of having more of Philippa’s company.

Courting Philippa was a dream come true, even if it was make-believe.

Baron Vanderbean was the title that gave Tommy the freedom to flirt and dance and make a public claim on Philippa, temporary though it may be. Opportunities she would never have had acting like Miss Thomasina Wynchester, who would not have been welcome among the beau monde. In that role, she and Philippa might never have met.

Oh, if only she could just be Tommy and live as she pleased!

“Come along,” called Elizabeth. She and Marjorie led them past the statue of Handel toward the Dark Walk.

The magnificent Triumphal Arches soared up ahead. Tommy did feel triumphant. She was here with her sisters and Philippa, away from the crowd and Mrs. York’s watchful eyes.

“Chloe mentioned you’re forbidden from making literary purchases,” Elizabeth said, wasting no time. “We can acquire the other three volumes for you. I’ll have Graham look for sellers—”

“I already did.” Philippa rubbed her temple. “My mother finally gave me permission to make an acquisition, but it’s no use. Northrup manuscript enthusiasts sold theirs years ago, to an individual who no longer resides at that address. No private collectors still own their copies.”

“No private collectors.” Tommy thought quickly. “What about public collectors?”

“I compiled a depressingly short list of eight organizations and universities with a Northrup manuscript in their collection, from Inverness to Penzance. Cambridge University…Carlton House…Most locations are forbidden to women or closed to guests, and all of them keep their illuminated manuscript collections under lock and key. You’d need an army to get past the guards.”

“You’re like a…bluestocking Graham,” Elizabeth said, impressed. “You would make a good Wynchester.”

Tommy ignored her sister. “Did you happen to bring that list?”

Philippa pulled it from her reticule.

Tommy tucked the list into her coat pocket to look over later.

“Now all we need are counterfeit copies.” Elizabeth looked at Marjorie.

“You want me to forge four illuminated manuscripts?” Marjorie said, incredulous.

“Just three,” Elizabeth reassured her. “Philippa already has one.”

Marjorie stared at her. “Do you know how long it takes master artists to create each illuminated manuscript? You expect me to just dash a few off in my spare time?”