CHAPTER THIRTEEN
I was reluctantly drawn away from Ben and into the crowd. The first contestant was a man of about forty who stood serenely beside the hearth. He had an impressive mustache and a wine glass was clasped in his slender hands. “This is my husband, Lord Harper. My dear, this is Miss Lucas.”
He smiled and bowed his head to me. “A pleasure to make your acquaintance, Miss Lucas. I do not recognize that family name. Are you a newcomer to our fair city?”
“Very new,” I assured him as I was led onward to an elegant couple.
The older woman was slightly plump but with a welcoming smile on her face. The gentleman beside her appeared to be the same age and habit of eating, as he held a biscuit in one hand and his glass in the other.
“This is the Duke and Duchess Ahearn,” Lady
