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Victoria stepped closer, ducking her head to hear Caroline over the orchestra. “What is it?”

Caroline looked around the ballroom as if in search of someone before taking her by the hand and pulling her away. “Come with me.”

Weaving their way through the crush of guests, they walked onto the balcony. The gust of cool midnight air that met them there made Victoria shiver.

Caroline closed the doors, making certain no one would follow them. Victoria raised her brow, running her hands over her arms in an attempt to warm herself. “Well?”

Caroline swallowed. “I have to admit that I didn’t organize this ball at my uncle’s urging.”

Victoria frowned. “Then why did you do it?”

“Because I need to steal Wolverstone’s journal.”

Victoria blinked in surprise. “What? Why?”

“Because there is something about my uncle that I don’t know, and Wolverstone is about to take it to his grave!”

Victoria scowled, her mind trying to make sense of Caroline’s words and failing. “What are you talking about?”

“Wolverstone is delirious half the time. He talks sometimes and then forgets what he’s said. And he said, repeated it a few times, actually, that I had to forgive my uncle for the turmoil that he caused.”

“What did he do?”

Caroline shrugged. “I don’t know! He wouldn’t tell me. I know my uncle used to be a part of the Brotherhood of the Crimson Fist. I know that William used that information to blackmail him. What I don’t know is what he did as a part of that wretched group. But Wolverstone just seems very troubled by it. So, whatever he did must have been bad. Bad enough to force one to end one’s life.” She bit her lip again. “I was plagued with doubts ever since I found out some details from William. And I think he knows even more, but he has no interest in sharing.”

Victoria scoffed. Isn’t that the truth?

Caroline leaned in closer. “But Wolverstone, in his delirium, has confessed that he’d made a few references to my uncle’s past in his journal, which is hidden in his study. That I need to burn it.”

Victoria covered Caroline’s hand with hers. “Caroline, he is gravely ill. Perhaps it is some malady of the brain that makes him say all those things.”

“Yes.” Caroline nodded. “It’s quite possible. However, I need to know. I need to find this journal and see if there’s really anything there. I mean, my uncle was a part of the Brotherhood of the Crimson Fist. What if he did something terrible?”

Victoria grimaced. “What if he did? It was in the past. Your uncle is dead. Will it aid anyone?” For some reason, a part of her believed it wasn’t a good idea to dredge up the past. Especially the past that lay dormant for so many years.

Caroline shrugged nonchalantly. “There’s only one way to find out.”

Victoria let out a breath. When Caroline made up her mind, there was no talking her out of it. “Did you ask Pembroke for this journal? I am certain he is the one who inherited it. Or, at the very least, he has a key to the safe.”

“Yes, I did. But he refused. He said he is not willing to share anything under his control.”

Victoria frowned. “Why not?”

Caroline lifted her hands in frustration. “I wish I knew. He is not the friendliest of men out there. Hence the ball.”

“Oh!” Victoria finally understood her meaning. “You arranged this ball so Pembroke would be distracted while you snooped in his study!”

“Yes, exactly.” Caroline smiled.

“So, why are you not doing that?”

“Well, I…” She wrinkled her nose. “I already did.”

“And?”

“And Wolverstone installed some strange lock onto his safe that I cannot open. I am not sure if anyone else can open it, because Dane wasn’t successful either. And Pembroke keeps the key close to his chest. Literally. It’s hanging over his neck.”

“Oh.” Victoria grimaced. “So, it’s impossible to either break the lock or steal the key?”