Page 52 of A Dangerous Vision

“I'll be as forthright as I can be, Inspector.”

“Percival Pennington. What can you tell me about him? Or about the Pennington brother. You knew them both and they frequented your club?”

“Percival more so than his brother, but yes, they both visited at various times.”

Electra noted that her answers were given in a slower, more controlled cadence now. Despite Gideon’s reassurance. She was protecting something or someone.

“What is your club? Can you describe it for me?”

Miss Mahoney lifted a red brow. “It is a meeting place. A salon of sorts, where gentlemen can meet ladies who are willing to be friendly and taken care of and form an attachment.”

“Do ladies reside at Regent Square?”

“Not usually, no. But on occasion, if a lady requires lodgings, I will allow it. And there are private rooms on the nights when gentlemen visit. Though I discourage that as well. It is meant as a salon for conversation and introductions. Ladies find someone who can offer them benefits, and the gentlemen receive benefits in return.”

“And how does that result in income for you?”

“I am compensated by both parties for providing the space to mingle and refreshments while they do so. And when an attachment is formed, that success is rewarded too.”

“So, both Pennington brothers paid you to meet a lady?”

“Percival paid. Lance did not. He came as a guest on two occasions. I hoped he might wish to become…a member, but it seemed he did not have the funds, and his brother’s generosity did not extend that far.”

Gideon made a few notes, and while his head was still bent, he asked, “Did Percival Pennington take up with the lady called Dahlia?”

“She was one of the ladies he met, but he spent time with others too.” She pursed her lips, as if in irritation. “Percival did not like my rules. I explained them a few times, but he was a…difficult man. He was quite muddled in his decision-making. Quite demanding and yet eager to find fault.”

“In what regard?”

“Well, he would not simply choose a lady and take the next step to care for her. He seemed to prefer sampling, rather than choosing.”

“But he did choose Mrs. Devlin, known as Dahlia?”

Miss Mahoney’s swiped a vivid red curl behind her ear. “Who told you that?”

“Is it inaccurate?”

“Yes. I believe that Demeter would have favored him if he had ever followed through with his seeming interest in her, but…” She swallowed thickly.

“But?” Gideon prompted.

“She and Mr. Lance Pennington formed an acquaintance, unfortunately.”

Gideon tipped his head as he regarded Miss Mahoney. “Unfortunate because Mr. Lance Pennington could not pay your fees?”

“Not only that, but he could not provide for Demeter.” It was the first time Eleanor Mahoney had become heated since they’d all sat down.

Gideon hesitated. Electra thought he looked as if he was searching for a way to word his next query.

“So did the brothers…share a mistress?”

Miss Mahoney’s mouth flickered into a half-smile. “Percival was not the sort to share. And, as I mentioned, he could not seem to settle upon any one lady. But Demeter made the dreadful mistake of caring for Mr. Lance Pennington.”

“Was Percival Pennington jealous?”

“Not at all. In fact, I’m not sure he knew the extent of their affection for each other. He seemed rather distracted with his own entanglements. A broken engagement. And another lady who would not return his affections.” Miss Mahoney let out a long sigh. “Percival Pennington was a man of complaints.”

“What complaints did he lodge with you?”