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she did not bother to conceal. Vanneck will never
    find the Queen's Seal. The expedition will collapse when the
    money runs out. The members of the consortium will be furious.
    There will be rumors that it was all a great fraud perpetrated upon
    innocent investors. Another South Seas Bubble. Vanneck will not
    dare to return to London. His creditors will hound him for years.
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    If and when he does come back, he will certainly not be able to
    take his previous place in the ton. His chances of recouping his
    fortunes with an heiress will be thin indeed."
    Matthias looked bemused. I do not know what to say, Miss
    Waterstone. You take my breath."
    There was a certain satisfaction to be derived from having such
    an electrifying effect on Colchester of Zamar, Imogen thought. It
    is a clever plan, is it not? And you are a perfect partner for me, sir."
    Horatia appealed to Matthias. My lord, pray tell her that it is a
    mad, dangerous, reckless, foolish plan."
    Matthias glanced briefly at Horatia and then returned his cold
    gaze to Imogen. Your aunt is quite right. It is all of those things
    and more."
    Imogen was stunned. Nonsense. It will work. I am sure of it."
    I know that I shall regret asking, Miss Waterstone, but morbid
    curiosity compels me. What role have you created for me in this
    grand scheme?"
    Isn't it obvious, my lord? You are the acknowledged authority
    on all things Zamarian. With the possible exception of I. A. Stone,
    there is no finer scholar on the subject."
    There is no exception," Matthias corrected her grimly.
    Especially not I. A. Stone."
    If you insist, my lord," Imogen murmured. Every member of
    the Zamarian Society is aware of your qualifications."
    Matthias brushed aside the obvious. So?
    I would have thought it self-evident, sir. The simplest and most
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    effective way to convince Vanneck that I have a genuine map to
    the Queen's Seal is for you to indicate that you believe I possess
    such a map."
    A short, sharp silence gripped the library.
    Damnation." Matthias sounded almost awed. You want me to
    persuade Vanneck and the rest of the ton that I believe your uncle
    left you a map of ancient Zamar that shows the location of the
    seal?"
    Yes, my lord." Imogen was relieved that he had finally grasped
    the essentials of the scheme. Your interest in the map will lend the
    necessary credibility to my tale."
    And just how am I expected to display this interest?"
    That is the easy part, my lord. You will pretend to seduce me."
    Matthias said nothing.
    Oh, dear," Horatia whispered. I believe I feel a trifle faint."
    Matthias gazed at Imogen with expressionless eyes. I am to
    seduce you?"
    It will be a pretence, of course," she assured him. All of Society
    will notice that you are pursuing me. Vanneck will conclude that
    there is only one reason you would do so."
    He will think that I am after the Queen's Seal," Matthias said.
    Precisely."
    Horatia heaved another heartfelt sigh. We are doomed."
    Matthias tapped one finger very gently against the rim of his
    teacup. Why should Vanneck or anyone else conclude that I am
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    intent only on seduction? Everyone knows that I have recently
    returned to England in order to assume my responsibilities to the
    title. Society will expect me to be hunting a wife this Season, not a
    mistress."
    Imogen sputtered on a swallow of tea. Do not concern yourself,
    my lord. You run no risk of finding yourself inadvertently engaged
    to me. No one will expect you to make me an offer."
    Matthias searched her face. What of your reputation?"
    Imogen set her cup down with great precision. I see you do not
    know who I am. Not surprising, I suppose. You have been out of
    the country a good deal of the time during the past few years."
    Perhaps you will enlighten me as to