Rakes Vow

Presuming he would. It was already after eleven.

Beside her, Timms sat darning; Mi

"I can't wait to see it all-the theaters, the modistes, the milliners." Hands clasped to her breast, Angela whirled and twirled. "It'll be so wondrously exciting!" Ceasing her twirling, she looked at her mother. "Are you sure we can't go before luncheon?"

Mrs. Chadwick sighed. "As agreed, we'll go for a short excursion this afternoon to decide which modistes might be suitable."

"It will have to be one in Bruton Street," Angela declared. "But the best shops, Edmond says, are on Bond Street."

"Bond Street is just beyond Bruton Street." Patience had spent the journey down reading a guidebook. "Once we stroll the length of one, we'll have reached the other."

"Oh. Good." Her afternoon's prospects assured, Angela subsided back into her daydreams.

Patience resisted an urge to glance at the mantelpiece clock. She could hear its steady tick, counting away the minutes; it seemed like she'd been listening for hours.

She already knew town life would never suit her. Used to country hours, the routine of breakfasting at ten, of taking luncheon at two and dining at eight or later, would never find favor with her. Bad enough that she'd woken at her usual hour, and, finding the breakfast parlor empty, had had to make do with tea and toast in the back parlor. Bad enough that there was no piano with which she could distract herself. Much worse was the fact that it was, apparently, unacceptable for her to walk out unescorted. Worst of all was the fact that Number 22 Aldfbrd Street was a great deal smaller than Bellamy Hall, which meant they were all thrown together, under each other's feet-each other's noses-all the time.

To have to bear with the others at such close quarters looked set to drive her demented.

And Vane had not yet arrived.

When he did, she would inform him in no uncertain terms what she thought of his idea of removing to London. They had better flush out the thief and the Spectre. Soon.

The clock ticked on. Patience gritted her teeth and persevered with her needle.

A knock on the street door had her looking up. Along with everyone else but Edith Swithins-she happily tatted on. The next instant, a deep rumbling voice reached all their straining ears. Patience inwardly sighed-with a relief she had no intention of examining too closely. Mi

The door opened. Vane strolled in, to be greeted with a panoply of smiles. His gaze flicked to Patience. She met it coolly. She studied him as he nodded to them all, then greeted Mi

"I very likely got more sleep than you," Mi

Vane smiled lazily down at her and made no move to deny it. "Are you ready to brave the park?"

Mi

Her color, better than it had been for days, showed she was in no danger of fading away. Reassured, Vane glanced at Patience, watching with a reserved coolness he didn't appreciate. "Perhaps," he said, looking back at Mi

"By all means." Mi

Vane slanted a rakish glance at Patience. "Well, Miss Debbington? Are you game for a turn about the park?"

Her gaze locked with his, Patience hesitated.

Angela opened her mouth and stepped forward; Mrs. Chadwick motioned her back, mouthing a definite "No!" Angela subsided, sulking.

Unable to read anything in Vane's eyes to explain the challenge in his words, Patience raised a brow. "Indeed, sir. I would be glad of the chance of some fresh air."

Vane inwardly frowned at her temperate acceptance. He waited while she set aside her work and stood, then, with a nod to Mi

He halted in the hall.

Patience lifted her hand from his sleeve and turned to the stairs. "I won't keep you above a minute."

Vane reached out, grasped her elbow, and drew her back to him. All the way back until he looked down into her now wide eyes. After a moment, he softly asked, "The others. Where are they?"

Patience struggled to think. "Whitticombe has taken over the library-it's well stocked but unfortunately quite small. Edgar and the General had nowhere else to go, so they've braved the chill, but I don't know how long they'll remain there. Edgar said something about looking in at Tattersails."

"Hmm." Vane frowned. "I'll make sure Sligo knows." He refocused on Patience. "The others?"

"Henry, Edmond, and Gerrard made straight for the billiard room." Vane's grip on her elbow slackened; twisting free, Patience straightened-and shot him a severe glance. "I won't tell you what I think of a house that has a billiard room but no music room."

Vane's lips twitched. "It is a gentleman's residence."

Patience humphed. "Regardless, I don't believe the allure of billiards will keep that trio satisfied. They were pla

Vane blinked. "That's closed."

"Is it?" Patience raised her brows. "I'll tell them."

"Never mind. I'll tell them myself." Vane glanced at her again. "I'll have a chat with them while you fetch your pelisse and bo

With a haughty nod, Patience acquiesced. Vane watched as she ascended the stairs, then, frowning more definitely, strode for the billiard room-to lay down a few ground rules.

He returned to the front hall as Patience regained the tiles. Minutes later, he handed her into his curricle and climbed up beside her. The park was close; as he headed his horses toward the trees, Vane checked over the list of Mi

"She didn't come down to breakfast." Patience's brows rose. "I suppose she must be in her room. I haven't seen her about at all, now you mention it."

"She's probably praying. She seems to spend a good part of her time thus employed."

Patience shrugged and looked ahead. Vane glanced at her, letting his gaze slide appreciatively over her. Head high, face to the breeze, she sca

Inwardly, he frowned, and looked to his horses. "We'll need to ensure that none of Mi