Mistress

"Quite right," Iphiginia said staunchly. "You've been forming your opinions on hearsay, sir."

"It's common knowledge that the treatments are at best a fraud," Sands retorted furiously.

"Nonsense," Iphiginia insisted. "We have every hope

of a cure, don't we, Masters?"

Marcus gave her a dangerous look.

Polly put her hands on her hips and glowered ferociously at Sands. "I know lots o' fine ge

Sands narrowed his eyes. "Is that a fact?"

"Aye, it's a fact, all right." Polly lifted her chin proudly. "I've seen ge

"There, you see?" Iphiginia said brightly. "A testimonial from one who should know."

"Enough of this nonsense." Marcus finally deigned to intervene. He drew a handful of notes out of his pocket and thrust them into Polly's hand. "You've given us a fine performance, madam. You may take your bows and leave. We won't be needing your services any longer."

Polly snatched the notes from him. "Are ye certain?" "Quite certain," Marcus said.

"Well, all right, then." Polly smiled cheerfully at Iphiginia. "Nice workin' with ye, Mrs. Bright. Ye've got some potential, in me 'umble opinion. With a bit o' practice, I 'ave a 'unch ye'r get the 'ang o' this actin' profession."

"Thank you," Iphiginia said politely. "I shall work hard to perfect my craft."

"Reckon I'll be on me way, then." Polly sauntered to the side door.

Iphiginia, Marcus, and Sands watched as she let herself out of the chamber of the Goddesses of Manly Vigor.

A short silence ensued after the door closed.

Marcus broke the strange spell that seemed to have settled onto the chamber. He stepped onto the stage aid and walked along the row of stage lamps, turning them on one by one. "As the evening appears to have degenerated into a complete farce, I suggest we take our leave, Mrs. Bright."

"Yes, of course." Iphiginia set down her urn.

Sands scowled at Marcus. "I don't understand any of this."

"I think it's safe to say that we have A been the victim of an unpleasant joke, Sands." Marcus left the last lamp burning.

"It makes no sense." Sands shoved his hands into his pockets and began to pace the chamber. "Who would do such a thing?"

"Someone who knows that you are suspicious of my long-standing friendship with your wife, naturally." Marcus propped one shoulder against the wall, folded his arms, and contemplated Sands. "There are any number of people in this world who take great delight in stirring troubled waters. You know that as well as I do."

Sands gave him a cold look and continued to pace. "But what did the villain expect to happen when I arrived here tonight and discovered that you were playing games with Mrs. Bright rather than Ha

Iphiginia flushed. "We were not playing games, sir." Sands's mouth curved derisively. "You may call this

nonsense whatever you wish, madam. It is entirely your affair."

Marcus studied Sands's pacing figure. "I expect whoever sent you here was hoping that you would spread the tale of this night's events far and wide'»

"What do you mean?" Sands demanded. "I suspect that the real target of the jest was not you, but my friend Mrs. Bright," Marcus said in a very soft voice. "I intend to see that the culprit pays for it."

Iphiginia stared at him. It was obvious that Marcus was very serious.

Sands paused abruptly. He swung around and considered Iphiginia intently. "You believe that someone wished to see Mrs. Bright humiliated?"

"Yes." "But why?" Sands asked. "Because whoever it is does not want me to marry her," Marcus said simply.

"Marry her." Sands stared. "You're going to marry Mrs. Bright? Your, uh, very close friend?"

"Yes." Marcus looked at Iphiginia. "We have not yet made a formal a

Iphiginia opened her mouth to argue but closed it again when she realized that any protest would only cause Sands to ask more pointed questions.

Sands frowned. "I had heard the rumor that you were going to a

"Thank you." She glowered at Marcus, furious with him for forcing her into the awkward situation of verifying the marriage-. "Let us hope that Dr. Hardstaff's cure takes effect before we celebrate our wedding night."

Sands gri

"I appreciate that," Iphiginia said. "I doubt anyone would even believe me. Whole thing is too bloody outrageous." Sands started toward the door. "Do you know something? I believe the two of you were made for each other. Now, if you will forgive me, I'B he on my way." He cast a derisive glance at the paintings on the walls of the chamber as he opened the door. "Unlike yourself, Masters, I do not have any need of Dr. Hardstaff's therapeutic treatments."

"How very fortunate for you," Marcus said. Silence fell once more as the door closed behind Lord Sands.

Iphiginia and Marcus listened to his receding footsteps as he went down the hall and opened the outside door.

A moment later they heard the door close. Iphiginia heaved a sigh of relief and then she rounded on Marcus. "You should he ashamed of yourself Lord

Sands will be waiting for the notices of our marriage to appear in the papers. How could you?"

"I supplied him with the only answer that was guaranteed to distract him."

"But what will he think when he never sees the formal a

"I shall worry about that later. In the meantime, I have a more pressing problem on my hands."

"Oh, really?" Iphiginia planted her hands on her hips. "And just what might that be, pray tell? Perhaps you would care to explain what you're doing in this very odd chamber, my lord?"

The side door opened, cutting off Iphiginia's tirade. She stared at the newcomer in shock. She had never been properly introduced to Lady Sands, but Zoe had once pointed her out at a hall.

Ha

"I believe Marcus is referring to me, Mrs. Bright. I fear that I have been a nuisance to him for some time."

Before Iphiginia could respond, the chamber door swung inward with a small squeak. Lord Sands walked back into the room. He carried his shoes in one hand.

"As long as Masters is going to explain matters," Sands said in an icy voice, "he may as well explain them to all concerned. And when he has finished, he can explain them again to me at dawn over a brace of pistols."

Ha

"Lady Sands." Iphiginia hurried toward her. "Ha

"One would think," Marcus said to the room in general, that one would he able to get a simple medical treatment done with some degree of privacy."