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direction of your feelings. You have hardly been subtle or clever about it.”
    “You wound me, old friend.” This was not the first time he and Sin had clashed over Juliana or Nox. His folded his hand into a fist and rubbed his knuckles with his other hand. “Next time, I will be more direct.”
    “Gentlemen, we did not come here to fight,” Reign said, his gaze conveying a direct message that Frost should back off. “We are at fault for not addressing some of these problems sooner. Berus has dealt with threats from Halward, and there has been damage to the property. We have nothing to take to the police, but I concur with Sin and Hunter. The man bears watching.”
    “And then there is the woman,” Hunter added.
    “What woman?”
    Dare asked before Frost could speak. He settled back into his chair. As much as he would have enjoyed punching Sin, he would have regretted it later.
    “Were you not introduced to her at Lady Sellar’s ball?”
    Dare sent him a puzzled glance. “No. Who is she?”
    “A barrister’s daughter, I hear,” Sin replied. “She has connections to Lord and Lady Tobin. A distant cousin, perhaps.”
    “I believe her older sister was betrothed to Leventhorpe,” Saint said.
    The Lords of Vice had turned into a bunch of gossips. “And you know this, how?” Frost asked, not caring one way or the other about the unknown chit.
    “Balls. A wealth of information can be gleaned if one has the patience,” Sin admitted.
    Frost smiled. “I don’t.”
    Raising his hands in surrender, Sin shook his head. “The increased crime around King Street has not gone unnoticed by the ton . There has been growing concern about the violence, and many blame the local taverns, brothels, and gambling hells.”
    “This Cavell woman has been suggesting to all who will listen to her rants that certain establishments are encouraging the criminals. Nox has been mentioned several times.” Saint paused, allowing the news to sink in. “Unfortunately, people are beginning to listen to her.”
    “Cavell.” Frost tasted the word on his tongue. Where had he heard that name—wait—no, it could not be! “You do not mean Miss Emily Cavell?”
    “Do you know that sharp-tongued redhead?” Sin asked in disbelief.
    Frost clapped his hands together and laughed until his ribs ached. His friends looked on, their expressions revealing that they collectively thought he had lost his mind. Miss Emily Cavell. So the lady had picked up her sword and was seeking another battle. How splendid! The Fates certainly had a sense of humor to bring that particular female back into his life. Now that a child’s life was not at risk, he intended to enjoy himself.
    “Leave Miss Cavell to me, gents,” Frost said, ignoring several snorts of disbelief. “As you all know, I have a weakness for redheads.”
    *   *   *
    Emily held her breath as she climbed the staircase of the family’s town house. So far, she had managed to enter the house unnoticed, and if her luck held she would have time to change her dress before her mother sent someone to her bedchamber.
    She was halfway down the passageway before she was stopped by her mother’s voice drifting from the drawing room.
    “Emily? Is that you, dear?”
    Emily froze, silently debating whether she should answer. Her mother might dismiss her as one of the servants if she remained quiet. She stared at the green oilcloth beneath her feet, the distinct scent of varnish overpowering the large bouquet of flowers that had been placed on the table at the top of the stairs.
    “If this is a game, Emily, I have no time for such nonsense,” her mother said, sounding mildly annoyed. “Come join us in the drawing room.”
    On a wordless sigh, Emily reversed her steps and crossed the threshold into the drawing room.
    “Good afternoon, Mother,” Emily said cheerfully, bestowing a kiss on the cheek her mother offered. “I was not aware we had a visitor.”
    “I do not consider Leventhorpe a