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H is butler came into the dining parlor looking harried as Anthony, Jamie, and Toby sat down for their evening meal before heading to their club.

“What is it, Dibley?”

“Your aunts have arrived, my lord.”

“All of them?”

His butler nodded.

“Have three more places set,” Toby said, looking happy. “I wonder if they have further women to add to your prospective brides list?”

“Entertainment with our meal. How wonderful,” Jamie added.

Anthony sighed. “What I want to know,” he wondered after his butler had left, “is how they are always aware of my movements?”

Jamie looked down at his empty plate.

“What?” Anthony demanded.

“Nothing,” he said far too quickly.

“Oh, come on, Anthony, you are normally awake to everything. Surely you must see someone here is feeding them that information?” Toby said.

The thought that a member of his staff would do such a thing silenced him.

“Also, they are devilishly good at getting information out of us,” Toby added. “They are constantly and subtly pumping us for our movements. Ergo, they know where you are going.”

Anthony was busy running through his staff to ascertain who would betray him and came up with his housekeeper and cook. Dibley was far too loyal. He knew there were others, but those two were the most likely in his opinion.

Dibley reappeared in the doorway and announced his aunts, who all then sailed into the room like royalty.

“Aunts,” Anthony said rising and bracing himself for the onslaught of kisses and cheek pats. They had no respect for his reputation. “What has you here at such an hour and not preparing for your night’s entertainment?”

“We merely wished to discuss the list and how things are progressing,” Aunt Aggie said not meeting his eye.

“We will not stay, Dibley. This is merely a stop on the way to the Brambleberry soiree,” Aunt Petunia added.

“We should have let him know we were calling,” Aunt Lavinia said.

“Nonsense. He’s your nephew; you can call on him anytime,” Toby said kissing paper-thin cheeks.

“Exactly right,” Jamie added, following his friend and greeting the women.

“Such manners,” Aunt Lavinia said patting Toby’s cheek. “Anthony, you could learn much from these two.”

“It’s a wonder you two aren’t married,” Aunt Petunia added.

“It is a wonder,” Anthony drawled. “Perhaps you could write a list of prospective brides for them also?”

His friends shot him a glare.

“Focus on Anthony first,” Toby said. “After all, his need is greater. We must secure an heir, so the perfidious Nigel and his mother have no say in your futures.”

“We will be forced out of our home,” Aunt Petunia said as Anthony thought about how to seek retribution on his friends for encouraging his aunts. “To live in a one-bedroom house and eat gruel.”

“I agree,” Aunt Aggie said. Aunt Lavinia nodded her agreement.

“No one is putting you out of your home,” Anthony said battling the frustration. “As I have already told you, there are plans put in place to ensure that doesn’t happen.”

“But if he is the heir, surely he can overrule your plans?” Aunt Aggie asked.

“Your nephew is a very astute man, ladies,” Toby said. “He will have prepared for all eventualities, and never forget that you have Jamie and me also. We will always be there to look after you should anything happen to Anthony and the perfidious Nigel tosses you from your beds.”

Aunt Lavinia made a noise between a sob and a shriek and hurried to hug Toby again.

“So now you know you have nothing to fear, perhaps we can throw out the list of prospective brides,” Anthony said.

His aunts all looked at him then.

“But, nephew, it is our fondest wish to hold your babe in our arms before we die. We are of an age that it could happen at any time,” Aunt Lavinia said.

“Any time,” Aunt Aggie agreed.

“So we have decided to renew our efforts to help you find a suitable bride,” Aunt Petunia said. “We’re thinking you should host a ball. Plans are already in motion, and invitations will be sent out shortly.”

“I don’t—”

“Not another word. We want to do this for you, dear,” she added. “Now who have you taken a liking to on the list?”

“Miss Spencer,” Toby said. “She’s quite lovely and would make Anthony an excellent wife.”

“Shut up,” Anthony snapped.

“I find I am partial to Miss Amelia Leighton,” Jamie said looking smug. “She has such a way about her when it comes to home decor.”

“Oh indeed. Both excellent candidates for your future countess, nephew,” Aunt Petunia said.

“I don’t want to marry or host a ball,” Anthony said deciding it was time to be blunt. “My reputation is blacker than hell, and no woman would want to wed a man like that.”

“Rubbish,” Aunt Petunia said. “That’s just an act on your part, and besides any woman would be lucky to have a man as handsome and wealthy as you.”

The other two women agreed loudly.

“Well,” Aunt Petunia added. “I’m quite sure we will have this wrapped up before the season’s end. We are not giving up until you are married to the perfect woman, Anthony. Expect regular visits to strategize the ball. Come along. We will leave these men to their meal, ladies.”

Anthony then watched his three aunts walk out the door. “It’s like they don’t hear me.”

“I always feel as if I’ve been run over by a dozen carthorses towing a plough when I’m in their company, no matter how brief,” Toby said collapsing back into his seat. “I’m not sure where they get their boundless energy from, but I would like some.”

“And you’re not even related to them,” Anthony added. “But thank you both for easing their minds over what would happen should my death be premature, even if you were absolutely no help with anything else. A ball.” He sighed.

“We have known them since we were young boys, Anthony. They are important to us, especially as their intervention changed our lives,” Toby said.

“Agreed,” Jamie added.

“Now, about this list,” Toby said. “Which women do you favor?”

“Hilarious,” Anthony said. “My life is going to be hell for the rest of the season.”

Thinking of the list brought Miss Spencer to mind. He’d spent the last seven days watching her when she was near. She was always moving, and he knew that was because she feared Cavendish.

Last night, Anthony had intercepted her before Cavendish could. He’d then told her they were dancing, to which she’d replied it was customary to ask. They’d then danced in silence until the music had stopped, and he returned her to her sister.

He’d also frequented Hugh’s. So far, he… she’d not returned. Had he been wrong there?

“I need to tell you both something,” Jamie said, dragging Anthony from his thoughts.

“Two nights ago, a young lady by the name of Molly Allsopp went missing. Now, normally I would not be aware of something like this, but she is my housekeeper’s niece, so my butler brought it to my attention.

When I spoke to her, she told me her niece was the third woman to go missing in the area where the family live.

There have been two from Brawley, and one from the next village. ”

“Three?” Toby said slowly. “That is cause for alarm surely?”

“Greville has an estate five miles away from Brawley,” Jamie added.

The words were chilling to all three men. Greville, Cavendish, and Calthorpe were at Blackwood when they were there, and took their lead from the Housemaster, who had been a man to whom cruelty was a sport.

“We believed that Blackwood Hall concealed something more sinister than just the beatings and the hell we endured. Six women went missing there over the time we were at school. Only one of them was ever found, floating in a nearby river, dead,” Jamie said.

“What are you saying?” Anthony asked.

His friend ran a hand through his hair. “I don’t know, but I know that my housekeeper’s family are distraught, just as I know something is not right when three girls go missing without a trace.”

“It could be a coincidence that Greville has an estate nearby,” Anthony said. “Everything that happened at Blackwood Hall was many years ago.”

“I know, but there is one more thing,” Jamie said.

“A local farmer found a young man with his horse and cart when he was checking his stock. He was naked, with a red satanic symbol on his chest. The farmer said he appeared drunk and was rambling. He took him back to Brawley. The lad was the nephew of the tavern owner there.”

“What kind of symbol?” Toby shot Anthony a look.

“I don’t know.”

The vision slid into his head even as he battled to keep it at bay. His hands bound and being forced to drink something vile.

“Anthony?” Jamie said.

“I’m all right.” But his hand was shaking under the table. His friends had found him in his bed one morning, with a red symbol painted on his chest. They’d said his speech was slurred.

“I am going to visit Brawley,” Jamie said.

“We will come with you,” Toby said.

After that they finished the meal in silence, all lost in the past. His friends left. Twenty minutes later, Anthony put on his hat and coat and did the same. He knew only one way to rid himself of his demons.

*

“I believe a seat has come free, Lord Hamilton, if you will follow me,” a servant said as he entered the gaming room of Hugh’s.

Searching the gloom, he found Mr. Renee and was soon seated at the table next to his, and facing the Frenchman, which would allow him to observe the man…if he was a man.

He then played hand after hand and watched the Frenchman. He won more than he lost, much to the annoyance of those seated with him, but like Anthony, he didn’t interact with anyone.

Could she really be that foolish or desperate? He observed as Renee touched his wig. It was a gesture many women did each night, securing a pin. In this light the disguise was a good one but would not withstand scrutiny in daylight hours.

A commotion broke out at a table and Anthony watched two staff members approach. At the same time, Mr. Renee got out of his chair. Bowing, he walked from the room. Anthony rose and did the same.

He caught up with the Frenchman as he waited for his things to be retrieved. He was leaning his weight on his right leg, and the left boot was resting on the right one.

If he needed further confirmation that this was Miss Evangeline Spencer, he had it. But he would not approach her here, where anyone could overhear their conversation.

She left, buttoning up the too large overcoat. Outside, he watched as she hurried away from the club, then when she was a few feet in front of him, he followed. Only when he was sure they were alone did he speak. “Miss Spencer.”

She spun to look at him. Then realizing her mistake, she turned back and kept walking.

“Too late,” Anthony said, moving closer. He then grabbed her arm. “I can’t work out if you are a fool or to be commended for your audacity.”

“Unhand me,” she demanded in French.

“The game is up, Miss Spencer. I saw the two brown marks on your neck here last time, and then at the Bailey ball. I know it is you under that wig and beard.”

She wrenched her arm free and asked if he had lost his mind in a flurry of French.

He moved fast and tugged the beard down her chin. She tried to stop him, but Anthony was stronger. The wires gave and he faced a very angry Miss Evangeline Spencer.

“How dare you!” She attempted to rally. “What I do is my business.”

He wanted to admire her courage, but he was too angry.

“You,” he said slowly, tamping down his rage, “are an idiot to take such a risk.”

He waited for her to speak, watching the emotion chasing across her pretty face. Instead, she surprised him by fleeing.