"Antiquities," Marcus repeated softly. "All the rage right now and your Mrs. Bright seems to know a remarkable amount about the subject. Apparently she spent a year touring antiquities in Italy." Trescott shook his head. "Must admit, I'm not overly fond of females endowed with intellectual natures."

"Understandable, given your own nature." Trescott did not notice the insult. "Does her outrageous behavior mean nothing to you?"

"I find it", Marcus paused, searching for the right word, "interesting."

"Interesting. Is that all you can say? Devil take it, man, at this very moment You're being humiliated by a former mistress in some of the best drawing rooms in London."

"It Fray not be all I can say, but it is most certainly all that I intend to say. Have you finished delivering your news, Trescott?»

Trescott scowled. "Yes. Should think it would he enough."

"It is. Quite enough. You will no doubt wish to be on Marcus glanced at the clock. "It will be growing dark soon and the nearest inn is some distance from here."

Trescott's mouth tightened. If he had expected an invitation to spend the night at Cloud Hall, he was sorely disappointed. He got to his feet.

"Good evening to you, Masters. I trust you will have a great deal to mull over tonight. Rather glad I'm not in your place just now. Damned embarrassing to have one's mistress make a fool of one."

Trescott turned and strode out of the library.

Marcus waited until the door had closed behind his visitor. Then he rose and crossed the room to stand at the window.

The sky was clear and cloudless, aglow with gold and peach, the fading hues of a spring day. It would be a good night for viewing the stars through his new telescope.

He had intended to spend the rest of the month here in Yorkshire. But now it appeared he would have to make arrangements to return to London earlier than he had anticipated.