"Wasn't last night lovely?" Anne said cheerfully as tea was served. "I cannot
tell you how much I enjoy masquerades."
"That's because you take great pleasure in fooling others," Jane observed.
"Especially men. One of these days your liking for that pastime will get you
into serious trouble."
"Rubbish. Pay no attention to her, Sophy. She is in one of her lecturing moods.
Now, tell us why you wished to see us on such short notice. I do hope you have
some excitement for us."
"Personally," Jane remarked, picking up her cup and saucer, "I would prefer a
bit of peace and quiet for a while."
"As it happens, I have a very serious matter to discuss with both of you. Relax,
Jane. I do not seek any further excitement. Just a few answers." Sophy picked up
the muslin handkerchief in which she had wrapped the black ring. She untied the
knot and let the fabric fall away to reveal the contents.
Jane leaned forward curiously. "What a strangely designed ring."
Anne reached out to touch the embossed surface. "Very odd. And very unpleasant
looking. Do not tell me your husband gave you this thing? I would have thought
Ravenwood had better taste than that."
"No. It belonged to my sister." Sophy stared down at the ring lying in her palm.
"It was given to her by a man. It is my goal to find him. As far as I am
concerned, he is guilty of murder." She told them the full story in short, crisp
sentences.
When she was finished, Anne and Jane sat staring at her for a long moment.
Predictably enough it was Jane who responded first.
"If what you say is true, the man who gave your sister that ring is most
certainly a monster but I do not see what you can do, even if you manage to
identify him. There are, unfortunately, many such monsters running around
Society and they all get away with murder."
Sophy's chin lifted. "I intend to confront him with his own evil. I want him to
know that I am aware of who and what he is."
"That could be very dangerous," Jane said. "Or, at the very least, embarrassing.
You can prove nothing. He will simply scoff at your accusations."
"Yes, but he will be forced to realize that the Countess of Ravenwood knows who
he is," Anne said thoughtfully. "Sophy is not without some power these days. She
is becoming quite popular, you know. And she has the rather sizable degree of
influence that comes from being Ravenwood's wife. If she chose to exercise a
measure of her power she might very well be able to ruin the owner of that ring
socially. That would be a serious punishment for any man of the ton."
"Assuming he belongs to polite Society," Sophy amended. "I know nothing about
him, except that he was most likely one of Elizabeth's lovers."
Jane sighed. "Gossip has it that is a very long list."
"It can be shortened to include only the man who wore this ring," Sophy said.
"But first we must find out something about it. How do we go about it?" Anne
asked, her enthusiasm for the project obviously growing rapidly.
"Wait, both of you," Jane implored quickly. "Think before you leap into another
adventure. Sophy, you have only just recently experienced Ravenwood's anger. If
you ask me, you got off quite lightly. Are you really so eager to arouse his
wrath all over again?"
"This has nothing to do with Ravenwood," Sophy said forcefully. Then she smiled,
remembering the herbal. "Besides, he has forgiven me for what happened yesterday
morning."
Jane looked at her, astonished. "Has he really? If so, then he is far more
tolerant than his reputation would lead one to believe."
"My husband is not the devil everyone thinks him," Sophy said coolly. "But to
return to the business of finding the owner of the ring. The fact is, I do not
intend to bother Ravenwood with this. It is a task I set for myself before I
ever agreed to marry him. Lately I have foolishly allowed myself to become
distracted by… by other things. But I am finished with those unimportant matters
now and I am going to get on with this."
Anne and Jane were both studying her intently.
"You are very serious about this, aren't you?" Jane finally asked.
"Finding the owner of this ring is the most important task in my life at the
moment. It is a goal I have set for myself." Sophy looked at her friends. "This
time I cannot take the chance that one of you might feel obliged to warn
Ravenwood about what I am doing. If you feel you cannot support me fully, I ask
that you leave now."
"I would not dream of leaving you to conduct such a search alone," Anne
declared.
"Jane?" Sophy smiled gently. "I will understand if you feel you should not be a
part of this."
Jane's mouth thinned. "You have cause to question my loyalty, Sophy. I do not
blame you. But I would like to prove to you that I truly am your friend. I will
help you in this."
"Good. Then it is settled." Sophy held out her hand. "Let us seal the bargain."
Solemnly they all three clasped hands in a silent pledge and then they sat back
to stare at the ring.
"Where do we begin?" Anne finally asked after a moment's close thought.
"We began last night," Sophy said and told them about the man in the black
hooded cape and mask.
Jane's eyes were full of shock. "He recognized the ring? Warned you about it?
Dear God, Sophy, why did you not tell us?"
"I did not want to say anything until I had your solemn promise to support me in
this endeavor."
"Sophy, this means there really is something mysterious to discover about this
ring." Anne picked it up and examined it closely. "Are you certain your dancing
partner said nothing else? Just that the wearer could count on a most unusual
type of excitement?"
"Whatever that means. He said we would meet again and then he left."
"Thank heavens you were wearing a disguise," Jane said with great depth of
feeling. "Now that you know there is, indeed, some mystery attached to the ring,
you must not wear it in public."
Sophy frowned. "I agree I probably ought not to wear it until we learn more
about it. However, if wearing it publicly is the only way to uncover the
mystery, then I may have to do so."
"No," Anne said, showing unusual caution. "I agree with Jane. You must not wear
it. At least not without consulting us first. Do you promise?"
Sophy hesitated, glancing from one concerned face to the other. "Very well," she
agreed reluctantly. "I will talk to you two first before wearing the ring again.
Now, then, we must think about this whole matter and decide just what
information we have."
"The man in the black cape implied the ring was known to certain people such as
himself," Anne said slowly. "Which implies a club or group of some sort."
"There is also the implication that there is more than one ring," Sophy said,
trying to remember the man's exact words. "Perhaps it is the symbol of a secret
society."
Jane shuddered. "I do not like the sound of this."
"But what kind of society?" Anne asked quickly, ignoring her friend's qualms.
"We need to ascertain its goals before we can figure out what sort of man would
wear such a ring."
"Perhaps we can learn what type of secret society would use this sort of jewelry
if we can discover the meaning of the symbols embossed on the ring." Sophy
turned the black band of metal between her fingers, studying the triangle and
the animal head. "But how do we go about doing that?"
There was a long pause before Jane spoke up with obvious reluctance. "I can
think of one place to start."
Sophy looked at her in surprise. "Where?"
"Lady Fanny's library."
* * *
Three days later Sophy flew down the stairs, her bonnet in one hand and her
reticule in the other. She hurried across the hall and was almost to the door,
which a footman was hastening to open, when Julian appeared in the doorway of
the library. She knew at once from the cool intent expression in his eyes that
he wanted to speak to her. She stifled a groan and stopped long enough to give
him a bright smile.
"Good afternoon, my lord. I see you are busily at work today," she said
smoothly.
Julian folded his arms and leaned one shoulder against the doorjamb. "Going out
again, Sophy?"
"Yes, my lord." Sophy put the bonnet on her head and started to tie the ribbons.
"As it happens, I've promised Lady Fanny and Harriett that I would visit them
this afternoon."
"You've called on them every afternoon this week."
"Only the past three afternoons, my lord."
He inclined his head. "I beg your pardon. I'm sure you're right. It probably has
been only the past three afternoons. I undoubtedly lost count because it seems
that every time I've suggested we go riding or take in an exhibition this week
you've been flying out the door."
"Life here in town is very hectic, my lord."
"Quite a change from the country, isn't it?"
Sophy eyed him warily, wondering where all this was leading. She was anxious to
be on her way. The carriage was waiting. "Did you want something, my lord?"
"A little of your time, perhaps?" he suggested gently.
Sophy's fingers fumbled with the ribbons of her bonnet and the bow went askew.
"I am sorry, my lord. I fear I have promised your aunt I would be there at
three. She will be expecting me."
Julian glanced over his shoulder at the clock in the library. "You have a few
minutes before you must rush off. Why don't you instruct your groom to walk the
horse for a short while? I really would like to have your advice on a few
matters."
"Advice?" That caught her attention. Julian had not sought her advice on
anything since they had left Eslington Park.
"On some business relating to Ravenwood."
"Oh." She did not know quite how to respond to that. "Will it take long, my
lord?"
"No, my dear. It won't take long." He straightened and waved her gracefully
through the library door. Then he glanced back at the footman. "Tell the groom
that Lady Ravenwood will be out in a while."
Sophy sat down opposite Julian's desk and struggled to untie the knot she had
made in her bonnet ribbons.
"Allow me, my dear." Julian shut the library door and came across the room to
deal with the tangle.
"Honestly, I do not know what it is about bonnet strings," Sophy complained,
flushing slightly because of Julian's nearness. "They never seem to want to go
together properly.'
"Don't fret about such details. This is one of those chores a husband is skilled
at performing." Julian leaned over her, his big hands very deft on the offending
knot. A moment later he eased the bonnet from her curls and handed it to her
with a small bow.
"Thank you." Sophy sat stiffly in the chair, the bonnet on her lap. "What sort
of advice did you wish from me, my lord?"
Julian went around to the other side of the desk and casually seated himself. "I
have just received some reports from my steward at Ravenwood. He says the
housekeeper has taken ill and may not recover."
"Poor Mrs. Boyle," Sophy said at once, thinking of the plump tyrant who had
ruled the Ravenwood household for years. "Does your steward mention whether
she's had Old Bess in to look at her?"
Julian glanced down at the letter in front of him. "Yes, Bess apparently went up
to the house a few days ago and said the problem is with Mrs. Boyle's heart.
Even if she is fortunate enough to recover, she will not be able to take up her
duties again. From here on out she must lead a quiet life."
Sophy shook her head and frowned in concern. "I am so sorry to hear that. I
imagine Old Bess has instructed Mrs. Boyle in the use of foxglove tea. It is
very useful in such situations, you know."
"I would not know about foxglove tea," Julian said politely, "but I do know that
Mrs. Boyle's retirement leaves me—" Julian paused and then amended his words
deliberately, "it leaves us with a problem. A new housekeeper needs to be
appointed immediately."
"Definitely. Ravenwood will soon be in chaos otherwise."
Julian leaned back in his chair. "The business of hiring a housekeeper is quite
important. It is also one of those things that is somewhat outside my area of
expertise."
Sophy could not resist a small smile. "Good heavens, my lord. I had no idea
there was anything that lay outside your area of expertise."
Julian grinned briefly. "It has been a while since you have bothered to tease me
about my lamentable arrogance, Sophy. I find I almost miss your little barbs."
Her flash of amusement faded abruptly. "We have not exactly been on the sort of
terms that encourage teasing, my lord."
"No, I suppose not. But I would change that."
She tilted her head. "Why?"
"Isn't it obvious?" he asked quietly. "I find that, in addition to your teasing,
I rather miss the ease of the relationship we had begun to develop at Eslington
Park in the days before you felt obliged to dump tea all over our bed."
Sophy felt herself turning pink. She looked down at the bonnet in her lap. "It
was not such an easy relationship for me, my lord. It's true we talked more then
and we discussed matters of mutual interest but I could never forget that all