She smiled at her victory. ‘What would happen if it was known that you were a fraud, Zillah? That you’d been taking all those poor audiences in with your lies, prancing around up there half-clothed on the stage.’

When I still didn’t speak, she added, ‘You can tell me. I don’t gossip.’

I’ll trust the devil before I trust you, I thought. I didn’t like the closeness of her gaze, the calculating look in her eyes.

Vincent appeared behind Henrietta in the doorway. His half-smile dropped when he saw the two of us together. Following my eyes, Henrietta turned and gave him a brilliant smile. How could she go from threatening to sweetness and light? She was a far better actress than I was.

‘My mother let you go?’ she said to him.

‘I needed a drink,’ Vincent said lamely, his eyes flicking in my direction, as if I were a real servant. Henrietta played along.

‘Oh yes? This one is very helpful. Mother always says a good maid is worth her weight in gold. Even one as big as this. We’re becoming great friends out here. You want to be careful we don’t poach her. Though we’d have to do something to fix those fingernails. Couldn’t have her snagging all my fine fabrics.’

Embarrassed, I tucked my hands behind my back. I hadn’t realised she’d noticed them. Her little speech had made Vincent uncomfortable too. He grimaced at what she said, but I knew he wouldn’t pull her up on it.

‘Come back into the drawing room, Hen. Marcus is about to unveil his big surprise,’ he said.

‘Very well. Zillah and I will have to find another opportunity to continue our conversation.’

‘Yes, ma’am,’ I said and bobbed a proper curtsey this time, though Lord knew who I was doing it for.

Henrietta raised up her hand for Vincent to take.

‘You can escort me back in to my mother.’

He bowed and did as she said.

XIII

The Leopard in the Library

The perilous ting of solid silver on crystal halted the low hum of conversation. When Crillick knew the eyes of the room were on him, he put down his knife but kept a hold of his glass, and took a hearty swig.

‘Ladies and gentlemen, your attention, please.’

He swayed slightly. Must’ve had a skinful already, but when he spoke there was no hint of a slur.

‘When I invited you to my house tonight, I promised a surprise. You’ve been very patient and now it is ready. Come. To the library.’