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“I’ve got my suspicions,” Jasper said. “I hope to see them through.”

“I dare say,” Lord Windermere replied. “It’s taken a while.”

“There’s not been much evidence,” he admitted. “My brother and I have questioned the ladies who had their jewels stolen at the ball. I’ve recorded everyone that they spoke to. Now, it’s a matter of questioning them to see what they saw. There has to be something that comes of it.”

“What will you do if it doesn’t?” Lord Windermere asked. Jasper knew that Selina’s older brother was thoroughly vetting him.

“I don’t know,” Jasper admitted. “I feel like I’m grasping at straws.”

The Viscount tilted his head to the side. Jasper was struck by how his eyes were so similar to his sister. “Perhaps I can be of assistance? I mean, it might help to have a pair of fresh eyes on the situation.”

“I would appreciate it,” Jasper said. “Thank you.” He wasn’t sure of what to make of Selina’s older brother. He seemed a bit snobbish, but it was clear that his sister adored him.

The Viscount held up his glass to him, in a toast. “Of course. Always glad to be of assistance.” He took a sip of his drink, his eyes roving about the room, then turned to his sister, who was standing beside him. Jasper, due to proximity, heard everything. “Selina! Is Lady Ella by chance engaged?”

“No,” Selina replied. “Not at all.”

“I see,” her brother said.

“Behave yourself, Thomas,” she hissed.

“I always do,” he insisted. Jasper smiled. He knew many gentlemen just like Lord Windermere. The biggest chore for him was to get Lord Windermere on his side and to remain there.

* * *

Selina was glad that her brother and Jasper were getting along. She, too, wanted to help. She knew that Thomas would let her, too. They would likely dissect it together, the next time that they were alone.

She couldn’t wait to hear his thoughts.

When the night was finally over, and the whole family had seen the guests to their carriages, Selina returned to her room. She was not disappointed when there was a knock at her door. She opened it to find her brother there.

“Can we talk for a little bit?” he asked, waggling the bottle of brandy that he was carrying. The liquid inside sloshed about.

“Certainly,” she said, letting him into her room. He was carrying the bottle along with two glasses. He poured them both a few fingers.

She accepted it, and they sipped in silence. Her heart was racing, but she waited for him to speak.

“I like him,” he said, at long last. She looked at him, beaming. “He’s everything that your future husband ought to be.”

“Good.”

“I look forward to speaking with him about his intentions tomorrow,” he went on. “And then I will write to Father, to let him know of my approbation.”

“Thank you.”

“However,” he said, and she knew exactly what he was going to say next. “We should go and soon.”

“I can’t leave him,” she said, shaking her head firmly.

“Selina! It’s going to be a scandal of epic proportions,” Thomas said. “The farther we are from it, the better.”

She sighed.

“When it’s blown over, the two of you can become reacquainted during the Season, perhaps,” he suggested, shrugging. “Where we can begin the engagement as it should—properly. Our parents may be a bit unconventional, but we still adhere to propriety, you know.”

She was disappointed, but he was right. She nodded, taking a sip of her drink. “I suppose you’re right.”

“It’s for thebest, my dear sister,” he said. “Just think how romantic it’ll be, when you meet up in London, during the Season, when all of thetonis out and about, looking for love.”

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