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ONE

The Bastion Club

Montrose Place, London

March 15, 1816

“WE’VE A MONTH BEFORE THE SEASON BEGINS, AND ALREADY the harpies are hunting in packs” Charles St Austell sank into one of the eight straight-backed chairs around theroom

“As we predicted” Anthony Blake, sixth Viscount Torrington, took the chair opposite “The action in the e mart seems close to frenetic”

“Have you seen much of it, then?” Deverell sat beside Charles “I have to adins”

Tony griht be resident in Devon, but she has a worthy lieutenant in odmother, Lady Amery If I don’t appear at her entertain a sharp note the nextwhy”

There were laughs—resigned, cynical, and co—from the others as they took their seats Christian Allardyce, Gervase Tregarth, and Jack Warnefleet all sat, then, in concert, all eyes went to the empty chair beside Charles

“Trentharets” At the head of the table, Christian didn’t bother keeping a straight face “He didn’t sound all that sincere He wrote that he had ements, but wished us joy in our endeavors He expects to be back in town in a week, however, and looks forward to supporting the six of us through our upco travails”

“Kind of hi

Trentham—Tristan Wemyss—had been the first of their nuoal they all were intent on attaining They all needed to marry; that coainst the matchmakers of the ton

Of the six of the to share the latest news, Tony felt sure he was the h why he felt so restless, so frustrated, as if poised for action yet with no eneht, he couldn’t fathoain, he hadn’t been a civilian, an ordinary gentleman, for years, either

“I vote we ht,” Jack Warnefleet said

“We need to keep abreast of events, so to speak”

“I agree” Gervase nodded across the table “And if any of us has anything urgent to report, we call aas needed Given the pace at which round has shifted”

“I’ve heard the patronesses of Al their season early, such is the interest”