Trafalgar Square was a mash of people from all walks of life, as it usually was, as Phin joined the throng. Street performers mingled with ladies and gentlemen in the latest fashions from the continent. Men and women with every color of skin and dressed in the style of every imaginable nation blended in with working-class folk selling everything from souvenir post cards to roasted nuts. A Salvation Army band made an ungodly racket near the steps of St. Martin in the Fields while at least three other speakers commanded the attention of miniature crowds spread out in front of the National Gallery. And there, in the midst of it all, were the unmistakable ladies of The May Flowers in their bright colors and plumed hats. The flower of the week each of them wore pinned to their bodices was a fetching, autumnal chrysanthemum blossom.
Phin warmed at the sight of them, not only because Lenore stood out prominently among their ranks as they lined up behind Lady Diana Pickwick near the edge of the fountain. Whereas half or more of the men listening to Lady Diana’s speech shook their heads and frowned in dismay, Phin loved the fact that women were finally speaking up and getting the voice they so deserved. He wasn’t progressive only when it came to nocturnal activities and salacious publications. He would have been the first to line up to vote for whatever measure in Parliament would give women an equal say, if his father’s title had been enough to give him a peerage. Men like him did exist, they were just so badly outnumbered at present that he felt as rare as a kangaroo in the arctic.
“Which is why, dear friends, women’s suffrage must be taken seriously,” Lady Diana raged, seeming to come near to the end of her speech. Behind her, Lenore’s face brightened, then turned scarlet, as she spotted Phin. “We must be given the right to vote.”
Lady Diana’s words were followed by a round of applause and boos before those listening to the speech moved on to the next diversion with almost laughable speed. Lenore said something to one of her friends, then hurried away from the crowd of May Flowers who rallied around Lady Diana as the meeting broke up.
“What are you doing here?” Lenore asked, all brightness and beauty with a little bit of sheepishness that Phin found utterly charming.
“Your esteemed fiancé told me I would find you here,” he said with a rakish grin.
“How very kind of Freddy,” Lenore said in a flat voice, pretending to frown, though her eyes gave away her amusement. “I shall be sure to thank him profusely once I return home.”
“Why don’t I walk you there?” Phin offered his arm. “I have something quite delicate I’d like to discuss with you.” There was no point wasting time with his declaration, not when Freddy already knew what he intended.
“I should really stay and support Diana and the others as they canvas the crowd,” Lenore said, looking as though she’d rather come with him. She took his arm all the same, though. “Diana has put so much work into—”
“It was you, I know it was.”
Lenore stopped cold and Phin’s attention was snagged as well as none other than Lady Hamilton marched straight up to Lady Diana wagging a finger in her face. Phin exchanged a startled look with Lenore before they gave their full attention to the confrontation.
“I’ll find you out, you know,” Lady Hamilton railed on. “Only a woman as brazen as the head of the May Flowers would dare to publish such trash. You’re likely using it to fund your cabal’s nefarious schemes.”
“Good heavens.” Lady Diana pressed a hand to her chest. “I have no idea what you could mean, my lady.”
“Don’t play innocent with me,” Lady Hamilton said. “Either I will find you out or Detective Gleason will.” She turned to pull forward a nondescript man who was lingering behind her. Phin had assumed the man was merely watching the unfolding scene, but as soon as Lady Hamilton drew attention to him, he straightened and nodded respectfully to Lady Diana. “Det. Gleason is one of the finest private investigators in London. I’ve hired him to get to the bottom of this ordeal and to expose the author of the salacious libel hurled against my daughter.”
Lenore snorted with laughter. “Oh dear. Did you hear that?”
She turned to Phin, but Phin wasn’t laughing. In fact, his stomach felt as though someone had poured molten lead into it. The very last thing he needed was a private investigator on his tail. Lady Hamilton on her own was one thing, but Lady Hamilton combined with someone who might actually know what they were doing was a disaster.
Lenore’s laughter turned to a disdainful stare, and she rolled her eyes. “Come on, man. Now is your chance.”
“My chance for what?” Phin asked her, one eyebrow arched.
“To make yourself known. To claim all of the fame and glory of being the author of Nocturne for yourself. Here. I’ll get you started. Over here.” She raised her hand and waved as if to draw everyone’s attention.
Phin grabbed her arm and wrenched it down to her side so fast he feared for a moment that he might have
