“And?”

“And…I think…” Ella’s voice lowered to a whisper that Alex could barely hear. “I think I overheard something I shouldn’t have.”

“Like what?” The two had their heads bowed so closely together that they were almost touching.

“I’m not entirely sure. The baron met with another gentleman in the garden, but I couldn’t make out the other person or the conversation very clearly—they were speaking very quietly, and I had just the smallest inkling that they were discussing something…”

Alex waited as Ella paused for drama. Ella adored dramatic emphasis.

“Nefarious.”

Ella’s whisper barely made any sound at all, and Alex couldn’t help the half smile that played at the corner of her mouth. “Nefarious?”

Ella nodded once, curtly. “Yes. Nefarious.”

“All right, Ella.” Alex’s tone was designed to humor her friend as she sat back on the bench. “What ‘nefarious’ thing do you think you overheard?”

“Again, I can’t be certain of that part of it,” Ella was quick to respond, “but there are a few things I am certain of.” She began ticking off her fingers as she spoke. “First, he was most definitely meeting someone at a time that had been predetermined in a place that had been prearranged. He went straight to the spot without dawdling.”

“All right, but that means little, you understand.”

Ignoring Alex, she pressed on. “Second, the person he met was not dressed in formal attire. I had the distinct impression that the other man was not a guest of the Salisburys. And…they greeted each other in French!”

“That is odd, considering the baron is French,” Alex said drily.

Ella gave her a quelling look. “Third, the conversation was laced with obscurity. They were discussing ‘the problem,’ and ‘the situation.’ At one point, the other gentleman said something about ‘the situation being resolved this evening without delay.’”

Alex opened her mouth to speak, only to be stopped by Ella’s raised hand and dramatic flourish. “And…if all of that weren’t enough…I could swear I heard the baron refer to un voleur.”

“A thief? Are you certain?”

“Not entirely…but that could have been it! Who speaks in such a manner? Spies, if you ask me.”

Alex laughed aloud before saying, “Few people speak that way, I’ll grant you. But we still have little indication that the baron is anything more than a kind, if slightly eccentric, old man. We certainly have no indication that he is a spy, for goodness sake. Vivi’s father and Blackmoor’s uncle both know him and find him to be a welcome addition to their circles, so I see no reason to surmise that he’s a villain of the first water. Would you like to hear my theory on the matter?”

“Most certainly,” Ella replied eagerly.

“You’ve been thinking about your novel too much… and your imagination has become overactive.” This was said with a grin.

“That may be the case,” Ella agreed in a tone that suggested she’d not thought of that possibility.

“May be? You think that sweet old man is out to topple the Crown.”

“Quite.” Ella cleared her throat. “But it was an odd occurrence.”

“Certainly. But I highly doubt it was an issue of national security. How did it end?”

“Calmly. They shook hands and parted ways. I waited five minutes or so and made my way back—and found you!” Her tone turned excited and curious. “What are you doing out here, Alexandra Stafford?”

“Not terribly much,” Alex spoke casually. “Taking in the evening air, pondering life’s mysteries, selling state secrets to the French…”

Ella chuckled. “A common occurrence this evening, it seems.” She paused for a moment, waiting for Alex to speak. When she didn’t, Ella spoke again. “Are you going to tell me?”

“I’d rather hoped not to.”

Ella nodded thoughtfully. “Are you all right?”

“Yes. Just nursing a slight case of embarrassment and irritation.”

“Ah. So you shall be fine.”

“Indeed.”

The two sat in companionable silence borne of years of friendship, each allowing the other’s presence to calm her. Alex took a deep breath and looked up at the starlit sky, wondering if she and Ella would be missed if they stayed out here for the rest of the evening.

Sadly, they would be. Not looking away from the sky, Alex spoke. “We should make our way back.”

“I suppose so.”

They stood and fluffed their skirts, then crossed the lush gardens to the ballroom. As they ascended the steps to the open doors, where several couples were standing in the fresh air, Ella spoke a touch louder than usual, “It was a lovely walk we took, don’t you agree?”

Alex smiled at her friend. “Most calming indeed. Thank you very much for thinking of it.” She nodded at Lord Denton, who bowed as they passed, clearly hearing their conversation.

“Think nothing of it,” Ella offered with a grin as they stepped over the threshold and into the ballroom.

The two had paused just barely, attempting to get their bearings, when the hairs on the back of Alex’s neck rose. She knew before looking that Blackmoor was standing nearby.

There he was, an appropriate distance from her, a combination of boredom and anger in his eyes. She had a feeling the boredom was affected, but she was quite certain that the anger was entirely real. Ella glanced over and noticed him with a smile, offering a quick, “Good evening, Lord Blackmoor,” before remarking to Alex, “I see Vivi by the refreshment table…I’m going to join her. I shall see you inside?”