Henry spent the next three hours watching Caro with amusement.
He had to admit, she was good. She worked Thomas Hope over good and proper, narrating the dramatic recovery of his father’s new treasures. “And what is even more exciting, because Lord Ardingly now has far more antiquities than he has room for, he has decided to sell a few pieces. Not that you would be interested, of course,” she said, laughing. “Everyone knows you have the finest collection of Egyptian antiquities in all of Britain. I can’t even imagine how large your collection must be, to eclipse Lord Ardingly’s. I cannot wait to see it at your rout—it’s tomorrow night, is it not? La, it will be all anyone can speak of, comparing your collection with that of the earl.”
Mr. Hope’s face took on a slightly greenish hue, and H
