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“M iss Fancot, I am a very busy man, but my secretary says you will not leave until you have spoken with me.”

Serena took the chair across the desk from Lord Grenville, glad he could not see her knees knocking under her gown. He’d made her wait almost an hour. It was obvious her visit had annoyed the great man, because he didn’t even bother to stand when she entered.

She swallowed back a retort. She was here to fix things. She’d awoken this morning with her plan set and firmly resolved to follow it through. Before fear could overcome her, she’d taken a hackney directly to the Prime Minister’s office. They had let her into the building, having seen her there many times with Julian.

“I have something to disc—negotiate with you.”

That made his head snap up and all of his attention focused on her. “I’m listening.”

“I know the identity of the anonymous journalist who simply signs off as V. But before I tell you who that person is, I want you to promise that you won’t reveal this person’s name to the public. I want no scandal to erupt from this revelation. Do I have your word?”

He sat back in his chair, his fingers linked over his potbelly. “I already know who it is and you being here confirms it.”

This time, she smiled at him. “If you think it’s Lord Julian Montague, you’d be mistaken.”

“Really?”

“I’m so certain, I’ll wager you money on it.” He continued to stare at her for some time. “So, I repeat. If I tell you, you must promise not make the person’s identity public or take any action against them.”

“You mentioned a negotiation. So, if I do this for you, what will you do for me?”

She swallowed down her pain and tried to get her fists to unclench. “I will decline Lord Julian Montague’s proposal and leave you with your plan to marry him off to Lady Penelope.” She didn’t have to tell him she wasn’t about to marry Julian, anyway. Not when he despised her.

Her words had their desired effect. She had Grenville’s full attention. He leaned forward. “You would do that?”

“I know you think he’s V. but he isn’t. I don’t see why he should lose his career and the job he loves. He could be Prime Minister one day.”

“You love him that much?”

She could not help it. Her eyes welled, but she furiously blinked the tears away. “I think he’s a fine man who doesn’t deserve to be blamed for something he did not do.”

He nodded his head. “If it is not Julian, then you are right. So, yes, I agree to your terms. I will not make this person’s identity known, but I will expect them to stop.”

“Oh, they most definitely will stop. They did not understand the trust they were breaking or the consequences of their actions. But they do now.” She hung her head and took a deep breath. Her head rose to look him in the eye.

“I wrote the articles. I am V. And in case you do not believe me, here is a sample of my handwriting. Mr. Walter has already given you an article. And I suspect today, the Bow Street Runner Tarquin Montague, Viscount Milburn hired, will work out the delivery came from my brother Vale’s townhouse.”

Grenville burst out laughing. “V. almost destroyed a man’s career, a future potential Prime Minister. And V. is a woman.” He stopped laughing. “It’s not funny, really. How did you get the information? Did Julian tell you?”

“Of course not. He is a man of honor and discretion. I snuck into his study and read papers he left there.”

Grenville’s mouth firmed. “That is not very honorable.”

“I agree. I did not think through my actions. I… It was wrong. And I have paid a high price. I have lost the love of a fine man.”

He contemplated her words. “I gave you my word. I will not reveal your identity or cause a scandal if V. suddenly disappears. Lord Julian won’t be punished if you stand aside and let me groom him for the role I believe is in his future—with the daughter of a duke by his side. I may suggest he does not leave papers on his desk in the future, though.”

She rose to leave, the pain of her loss almost making her stumble. Her mission was accomplished. She had put right that which she’d put asunder. She was almost at the door when Grenville asked, “What did the V. stand for?”

She turned to face him. “Voice. It stood for women having a voice.”

“They do not understand the intricacies of the world.”

“Only because we’re not taught the ways of the world the way men are taught. We have brains quite capable of understanding many things. And one day we will see women in parliament. And women with the vote.”

“You are probably right, but not in my lifetime, I hope.”

She wouldn’t dignify that with an answer. She reached the door and as she opened it, he said, “I may have been wrong about you. You understand politics and how to negotiate very well. Perhaps you were the right wife for Lord Julian, after all.”

She closed the door in his face, the irony of his praise not lost on her. She could have won Lord Grenville over, but now it was too late. Julian didn’t want her anymore. And she could not blame him.

Rather than going straight home, where Julian might visit, she ordered the hackney to deliver her to Claire’s house. This morning there was a meeting of the Sisterhood. She didn’t feel like going, but she wanted to be the one to tell Courtney and the other ladies what she had done and why she could not marry Julian. They would be most disappointed in her and she hoped she did not lose Courtney’s friendship too.

An hour later, Serena had finished her story and was met by a wall of silence. Several of the ladies appeared to be shocked into silence until Ashleigh giggled. Then she burst into full-blown laughter. None of the other ladies joined in.

“I don’t see what is so funny. Serena could have ruined my brother’s career and herself,” cried Courtney sharply.

Ashleigh wiped tears of laughter off her cheeks. “But she didn’t because she was clever enough to find a way out of the mess she’d made. I wish I’d had the courage to sort my scandal out the way she’s done.”

“But now she can’t marry my brother, and that will break his heart,” Courtney insisted.

“I think I have broken his heart with my invasion of privacy and my selfishness. I don’t think he’ll ever forgive me. Will you?” she asked Courtney.

Her friend hugged her. “It’s not me you need to be apologizing to. It’s not me you betrayed. I am disappointed that you’ve upset my brother and risked his career, but I still love you and I understand it wasn’t done maliciously. Sometimes you just don’t stop and think in your need to be involved.”

“I have learned my lesson, I assure you.”

“Don’t let it stop you from having a voice, though. We should all be allowed to voice our opinions and have them taken seriously. Women are certainly just as capable as men.”

Serena nodded at Tiffany’s words. “I just need to learn to think or talk to others before I race off on hairbrained schemes. And I definitely should never invade anyone’s privacy. Reading his correspondence was unforgiveable.”

“I will say that your article was very well-written and quite informative. I’ve even heard His Grace talking about the article and how astute it was. So take some pride in that.” Farah gave Serena’s hand a squeeze. “I wish I could tell my brother who wrote the story, just to prove women are not helpless. It might convince him that I should have a say in my life.” At Serena’s horrified look, she quickly added, “Of course I won’t.”

“Any advice on what I do about Julian? I think he’s still going to ask Vale for my hand, but I can’t marry him. I gave Grenville my word and if I go back on it, Grenville could tell the world who wrote it. Julian would be a laughingstock if they learned I’d snooped. Besides, my deal with Grenville means I’ve agreed to step aside.”

Courtney looked at the other ladies and coughed delicately. “I think you need to let him calm down. Tomorrow you should apologize. You should know my brother has an enormous heart and can’t stay angry for long—especially at you. He loves you and yes, I suspect he’s disappointed in you, and hurt, but he’ll get over it. As for your deal with Grenville—my brother didn’t agree to it. If he wants to marry you, then your deal with Grenville can’t stand.”

Serena looked at the faces of her friends and saw the pity, hope, and encouragement. Her head spun, and she really didn’t know what to do. “If you don’t mind, I think I’ll go home. I didn’t sleep last night and today has been emotionally draining. I don’t intend to go to the recital tonight, so I shall see you…when I feel up to company.”

Her sister Valora said, “I’ll tell mother you have your monthly courses and are off color. And I’ll let you know if Julian comes to talk to Vale. Maybe you should let Vale know what has occurred. He will know what to do.”

Serena shook her head. “No. I don’t want Vale to know anything. He’ll push me on Julian to avoid a scandal. I promised Grenville that would not happen.”

*

No sooner had Serena left the room and the front door was heard closing, than Claire rose and pulled the bell for a servant. “What are you doing?” Courtney asked.

“I’m summoning your brother. I think we need to inform Julian about Serena’s agreement with Grenville. If he doesn’t fight for her, Serena will honor her word with Lord Grenville and Julian won’t have any idea why. He’ll think she is not upset about losing him and won’t understand when she cries off his proposal. I don’t know about you, but I’m not about to let the two people we all know are completely right for each other lose their chance at happiness.” She plonked a quill and parchment in front of Courtney. “Now, let’s summon your brother.”