much more mundane circle of acquaintances. Is that it?"
Iphiginia made a face. "I'm afraid so. It's true that I now have ample funds, thanks to our very good
fortune with our property investments-"
Generated by ABC Amber LIT Conv erter, http://www.processtext.com/abclit.html
"You mean thanks to your very shrewd knowledge of architecture and Mr. Manwaring's talents as a
businessman," Amelia corrected.
"And your skills in financial matters," Iphiginia added. "Do not forget your contribution."
"Yes, well, that is not the point."
Iphiginia smiled wryly. "As I started to say, regardless of the status of my finances, as Miss Iphiginia
Bright, I lack the social contacts and the cachet I need to move in Masters's circles."
"And you are still convinced that whoever is behind the blackmail threat moves in Masters's world as
well as your aunt's."
Iphiginia stroked the white plume. "I am certain of it. It is clear that whoever he is, he knew a great deal
about the earl's plans for the Season. He was able to time the delivery of his threat to Aunt Zoe very
precisely."
"Yes, I know, but-" "And he knows the secret from, Zoe's past. The only connection between Masters
and Aunt Zoe is those men who played cards with Guthrie and who now play occasionally with
Masters."
"But Guthrie, himself, never knew Zoe's secret. "Guthrie was so drunk most of the time that he couldn't
even win at cards, let alone perceive what was happening right beneath his nose. But someone who was
close to him might well have guessed what was going on between Zoe and Lord Otis and put two and
two together when Maryanne was horn."
"And tried to blackmail her with the facts eighteen years later?"
"Yes. Do not forget that the news that Maryanne is actually Lord Otis's daughter, not Guthrie's, was not
worth much until the Earl of Sheffield asked for her hand in marriage a few months ago."
Iphiginia did not have to go into the details. They both knew that if there was a scandal connected to
Maryanne's name,Sheffieldwould no doubt retract his offer.
TheSheffieldfamily was notoriously high in the instep. They very likely already had doubts about the
wisdom of the heir marrying someone such as Maryanne. True, she had a respectable portion to
recommend her, but it was not a great fortune. And she was quite lovely, but there was no denying that
her family was somewhat undistinguished.
Sheffieldcould have looked much higher and everyone knew it. Its alliance with Maryanne was a love
match and love was considered a frivolous reason for marriage in the ton.
"I don't know, Iphiginia," Amelia said after a moment. "This whole scheme was dangerous enough when
we thought the earl was dead. But now that he is alive, I have a feeling that matters could get
considerably more complicated."
"Yes." Iphiginia glanced at the nude centurion. "But I must tell you that I am very glad that he is alive,
Amelia."
"I can see that." Amelia's mouth thinned as she rose to her feet. "It comes as no surprise. You have been
falling in love with him for weeks."
Generated by ABC Amber LIT Conv erter, http://www.processtext.com/abclit.html
Iphiginia felt her face turn very warm. "You exaggerate."
“I know you better than anyone. Even better I believe, than your sister or your Aunt Zoe. I have never
seen you react like this to any man. Not even Richard Hampton."
Iphiginia grimaced at the mention of her sister's new husband. "I assure you. I never found Richard as . .
." She strove for the appropriate word, "as interesting as Lord Masters."
"Not even when he was courting you?" Amelia asked gently.
"Richard never actually courted me," Iphiginia said briskly. "I completely misread his intentions for a
time. It was all a terrible misunderstanding. The mistake was soon sorted out."
To Iphiginia's acute chagrin it had been her sister, Corina, whom Richard had really loved.
"You were not the only one who misread his frequent visits," Amelia said. "We all did. I am
Iphiginia made a face. "I'm afraid so. It's true that I now have ample funds, thanks to our very good
fortune with our property investments-"
Generated by ABC Amber LIT Conv erter, http://www.processtext.com/abclit.html
"You mean thanks to your very shrewd knowledge of architecture and Mr. Manwaring's talents as a
businessman," Amelia corrected.
"And your skills in financial matters," Iphiginia added. "Do not forget your contribution."
"Yes, well, that is not the point."
Iphiginia smiled wryly. "As I started to say, regardless of the status of my finances, as Miss Iphiginia
Bright, I lack the social contacts and the cachet I need to move in Masters's circles."
"And you are still convinced that whoever is behind the blackmail threat moves in Masters's world as
well as your aunt's."
Iphiginia stroked the white plume. "I am certain of it. It is clear that whoever he is, he knew a great deal
about the earl's plans for the Season. He was able to time the delivery of his threat to Aunt Zoe very
precisely."
"Yes, I know, but-" "And he knows the secret from, Zoe's past. The only connection between Masters
and Aunt Zoe is those men who played cards with Guthrie and who now play occasionally with
Masters."
"But Guthrie, himself, never knew Zoe's secret. "Guthrie was so drunk most of the time that he couldn't
even win at cards, let alone perceive what was happening right beneath his nose. But someone who was
close to him might well have guessed what was going on between Zoe and Lord Otis and put two and
two together when Maryanne was horn."
"And tried to blackmail her with the facts eighteen years later?"
"Yes. Do not forget that the news that Maryanne is actually Lord Otis's daughter, not Guthrie's, was not
worth much until the Earl of Sheffield asked for her hand in marriage a few months ago."
Iphiginia did not have to go into the details. They both knew that if there was a scandal connected to
Maryanne's name,Sheffieldwould no doubt retract his offer.
TheSheffieldfamily was notoriously high in the instep. They very likely already had doubts about the
wisdom of the heir marrying someone such as Maryanne. True, she had a respectable portion to
recommend her, but it was not a great fortune. And she was quite lovely, but there was no denying that
her family was somewhat undistinguished.
Sheffieldcould have looked much higher and everyone knew it. Its alliance with Maryanne was a love
match and love was considered a frivolous reason for marriage in the ton.
"I don't know, Iphiginia," Amelia said after a moment. "This whole scheme was dangerous enough when
we thought the earl was dead. But now that he is alive, I have a feeling that matters could get
considerably more complicated."
"Yes." Iphiginia glanced at the nude centurion. "But I must tell you that I am very glad that he is alive,
Amelia."
"I can see that." Amelia's mouth thinned as she rose to her feet. "It comes as no surprise. You have been
falling in love with him for weeks."
Generated by ABC Amber LIT Conv erter, http://www.processtext.com/abclit.html
Iphiginia felt her face turn very warm. "You exaggerate."
“I know you better than anyone. Even better I believe, than your sister or your Aunt Zoe. I have never
seen you react like this to any man. Not even Richard Hampton."
Iphiginia grimaced at the mention of her sister's new husband. "I assure you. I never found Richard as . .
." She strove for the appropriate word, "as interesting as Lord Masters."
"Not even when he was courting you?" Amelia asked gently.
"Richard never actually courted me," Iphiginia said briskly. "I completely misread his intentions for a
time. It was all a terrible misunderstanding. The mistake was soon sorted out."
To Iphiginia's acute chagrin it had been her sister, Corina, whom Richard had really loved.
"You were not the only one who misread his frequent visits," Amelia said. "We all did. I am
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