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we going to do about our mad brother?”
    Fitzroy wrung his hand through his hair. He was torn between genuine distress and laughter.
    “Damn his eyes! To wish him posthaste to perdition would be a good start. But first, you will sit there, my dear sister, and compose yourself. I will get you a glass of wine, then you may tell me the whole. Quentin was no doubt foxed. He will wake up beside the poor wench in the morning and regret the whole thing. Then he will beg me to pay off her father and provide for the babe, so the Black Earl doesn’t find out. And for the sake of family honor, and as an alternative to blowing out his brains, I shall do it.”
    Lady Mary blew her nose. She was trembling a little, but she allowed him to ring the bell and ask the footman to bring wine.
    “This time it’s serious , Fitzroy.”
    He kept his voice very gentle. “I don’t question it.” He stroked the hair back from her damp forehead and gave her his own clean handkerchief. “Most of the scapegrace things Quentin does are serious. Why else have I been trying to extricate him from them since he was born? Does Father know?”
    “I don’t know. Oh, dear Lord, I hope not.”
    “Then perhaps I can catch them before any harm is done, and return the foolish child to her convent.”
    Mary wiped her eyes again and smiled suddenly. “She was at Miss Able’s Academy, where I went myself. It’s very select. Miss Able will die of chagrin.”
    The door opened and the wine was delivered. As soon as the servant left, Fitzroy turned back to his sister.
    “Tell me what you know, from the beginning.”
    “This isn’t just a mad start, Fitzroy. And I don’t think money will suffice this time. Apparently he’s had it planned for weeks. He met the girl at a weekend house party given by some mutual friends. In spite of his reputation, it’s rare that he’s actually not received, of course. After all, Quentin is your brother.”
    Fitzroy grinned at her. “I should think it counts a great deal more that he’s also a son of the Earl of Evenham. After all, am I so very respectable?”
    Sipping at her wine, she grinned back. “Barely, I suppose. But being our father’s heir is bound to give you an entrée everywhere, and Quentin benefits from that. He certainly uses it. Otherwise, there’s no comparison between you.”
    “For I have the courtesy of being Viscount Tarrant, while Quentin must make do with being just plain Mister Mountfitchet. I wonder sometimes why he hasn’t shot me over it. So he met this schoolgirl and arranged an elopement? Who is the intended bride?”
    Lady Mary set down her wine and looked up at him.
    “That’s the worst of it, Fitzroy. It’s not just any schoolgirl. It’s Lady Joanna Acton, and she’s not even out.”
    “Dear God!”
    Fitzroy collapsed into a chair. Then he dropped his head to his knees to bury his face in his hands.
    “It is very bad, isn’t it? If she’s ruined, Lord Acton will demand a match—”
    He looked up, fighting back a desperate, wild laughter. At the look of open despair on her face, he let it loose.
    “A wedding? Then Quentin’s cat will be out of the bag!”
    Lady Mary’s eyes filled with indignation. “How can you laugh? She’s the Earl of Acton’s favorite daughter, Fitzroy.”
    He sprawled back in his chair. “But that’s not really the worst of it, unfortunately.”
    “What can be worse? Oh, Fitzroy, will you please go after them?”
    “Of course.” He stood up and rang the bell. A footman appeared at the door. “Lord Evenham’s carriage for Lady Mary, and have my phaeton brought around. We are leaving. Tell Lady Carhill that I am regrettably indisposed. Her excellent wine and the heady intoxication of the company force me to retire early from her enchanting entertainment.”
    The servant bowed and stepped out.
    “I’ve brought you a change of clothes, Fitzroy.” Lady Mary indicated the bag. “And Smithers is already waiting with your phaeton. I just hope that