Lenore spotted several of Phin’s neighbors gathered on the sidewalk, whispering away about what police activity in the middle of the night could possibly mean. It almost made her laugh. No matter what she did, it appeared she was destined to be the focus of gossip. But if it meant Bart was out of her life for good, she didn’t care one bit.
“I doubt you’ll have any trouble obtaining an annulment from the bastard now, miss,” Det. Gleason said with a kinder smile for her. “In fact, I wouldn’t be surprised if your so-called marriage to the bloke wasn’t legal to begin with. I have contacts in the States looking into it.”
“You do?” Lenore blinked at him.
“Lionel Mercer isn’t the only one with contacts here and there.” Gleason’s smile turned modest, though his blue eyes flashed with puckishness. It was enough to make Lenore laugh. The wily detective wasn’t at all the man she’d assumed he was while working for Lady Hamilton.
A moment later, Lady Hamilton herself poked her head out around the corner of the parlor she’d hidden in.
“Is…is it over?” she asked in a weak voice.
Lenore rather felt the way Lady Hamilton looked, but she pushed her fear aside, confident for the first time in over a year that things would work out happily at last, and headed down the hall to fetch Lady Hamilton.
“Yes, it’s over at last,” she said, going so far as to hug Lady Hamilton as heartily as she had Freddy and Phin.
“Oh, thank heavens,” Lady Hamilton wailed and hugged Lenore right back.
It was a ridiculous moment in an evening that had been filled with more than its fair share of madness. Lenore laughed and drew Lady Hamilton back down the hall toward the entryway. “I’m sure you’ll be wanting to get home as quickly as possible, Lady Hamilton,” she said. “I’m certain Lady Agnes will be wondering where you are, at least.”
“She’s probably lying awake mooning over Lord Compton more than me,” Lady Hamilton said with a sniff, fanning her tear-streaked face.
“Perhaps you would allow me to escort you home, my lady,” Det. Gleason offered, presenting his arm, like any other gentleman.
“Yes, yes, I would be honored to have a hero such as yourself see me safely home. Who would have thought when I hired you for something as silly as finding an author that you would turn out to be such a treasure?” Lady Hamilton said with a moony smile for Det. Gleason. “Why, the way you brought down such a dangerous man was positively stunning.”
“I was in the army,” Det. Gleason explained. “Special services. In the court of the Japanese emperor.”
“I’m not surprised at all.” Lady Hamilton beamed at him, then, almost as an afterthought, turned to Lenore. “My dear, you can rest assured knowing that I will not reveal your literary identity. I believe you have been through quite enough already. Though I would caution you to have a bit more of a care in your future writing endeavors.”
“Yes, Lady Hamilton,” Lenore said with a solemn nod of her head. “I most certainly will.” She glanced to Phin, barely able to contain her amusement at the situation.
“Gentlemen, I bid you good evening,” Lady Hamilton said to Phin, Reese, and Freddy before turning back to Det. Gleason. “Lead on, good sir. You are a knight in shining armor.”
Once Lady Hamilton and Det. Gleason made it to the street and the crowd of curiosity seekers, Phin stepped deliberately over to shut the door, finding a way to fasten it in spite of the broken casing.
“That is just about enough of that. If I never go out in public again, it will be too soon,” he said.
“You aren’t planning to hide away, like Lady Agnes, are you?” Lenore asked, crossing to him, sliding her arms around his waist, and leaning her head on his shoulder in utter relief.
“Darling, as far as I’m concerned, I don’t even want to leave my bed for a week, as long as you’re there with me,” he laughed, kissing her forehead. “That is, if Freddy doesn’t mind.”
He and Lenore both glanced to Freddy and Reese.
Freddy shrugged. “I already told Phin that he can snatch you right out from under my nose with my blessing. We were going to work out a way to explain the turnover before Swan showed up.”
“Is that true?” Lenore glanced up at Phin.
“It is.” Phin grinned down at her as though everything were right in the world. “I know it’s traditional to ask a woman’s father for her hand in marriage, but since yours is thousands of miles away, I figured asking your fiancé would do.”
Lenore laughed and shook her head. “At least we’re no strangers to scandal now, because this is going to cause quite a stir.”
“One we will meet with grace and aplomb,” Phin said. “Or perhaps just by thumbing our noses at everyone else.”
“I like that idea.” Lenore hugged him tighter, happier than she ever would have guessed she’d be within an hour of nearly being murdered. A thought struck her, though, and she blinked, straightening. “Will you be all right?” she asked Freddy and Reese.
Her two friends looked at each other. They looked at each other like two men in love, which only made her question more important.
“We’ve managed to avoid the blackmailers and scandal-mongers so far,” Reese said with a shrug. “If the scrutiny becomes too pointed, we’ll just do what other men in our positions do and take an extended trip to the continent.”
“Let’s hope it doesn’t come to that,” Freddy said. “I’m inclined to want to stay in London for a while to see what mischief these two get up to.”
Reese laughed and thumped Freddy’s back. His hand stayed there as his expression filled with affection. “We’d better head home and let these two sort out
