The master of ceremonies looked around in surprise as she walked past him and Charlie gave him a cheerful wave which he did not reciprocate. With a shrug, she followed the youth across the outer vestibule, through several other halls and corridors, until they arrived at a grand set of double doors, which he pulled open.
From beyond came the smell of warm earth and a summer evening and she caught a glimpse of a shining blue sky. Niall Campbell had been right: it had stopped raining.
So Ruby and I might not get drenched on the way to her dress fitting tomorrow, Charlie thought.Things are looking up.
“Thanks,” she said to the youth as she stepped up to the threshold.
“Ye are most welcome, my lady,” he said, putting one hand across his chest and bowing low like she was some kind of noble lady.
Charlie raised an amused eyebrow, then stepped past him onto the street. She planned on going straight back to her hotel, having some dinner and a shower, then flopping into bed for an early night.
And if she was very lucky, she mightnothave a hangover in the morning.
Chapter 4
Niall pushed open theglass-paneled doors and stepped outside into the cool evening air of the garden. The sun was setting, sending slanting rays of light straight into his eyes and bathing everything before him in a golden glow. He could still hear the strains of music from inside the house and the distant chatter of guests enjoying themselves.
He sighed as he looked out over the neatly manicured gardens. The hedges and lawns were meticulously trimmed and some of the hedges had been cut into the shape of fantastic beasts. Lions, dolphins, even griffons stared at him from various points. Niall barely noticed, his thoughts elsewhere.
He’d been to countless balls like this before, but none had ever left him feeling so unsettled as this one. First, meeting Irene MacAskill. And then meetingher.
The Countess of Argyle—or so she claimed. He’d heard about the countess. She was rumored to have a head for commerce and be astute enough to steer well clear of politics. Her name hadnotbeen mentioned when he’d been tasked with scoping out this gathering tonight. But now, having met her, he wasn’t so sure this had been wise. She was nothing like he’d expected. Much younger, for a start and beautiful with that long red hair, large blue eyes, and a smattering of freckles across her nose. She also said unusual things and flatly refused his attempts to draw her into the usual cut and thrust of veiled suggestions and double meanings.
And she’d downed whisky like a Highland tavern-keeper.
No, she was not what he’d expected at all and that bothered him. He didn’t like unknown variables. In his line of work, such things could get you killed.
From behind him, back in the ballroom, he heard the booming voice of the master of ceremonies announcing the arrival of another guest. But instead of just calling out the name as he usually did, the man cleared his throat several times and hesitated. “Um...I would like to announce...er...”
Intrigued, Niall left the garden and made his way back into the room. An elderly lady stood beside the master of ceremonies. She had white hair and was bedecked with enough jewels to sink a river barge.
The master of ceremonies tried again. “I would like to announce Lady Charlotte Dougrie, Countess of Argyle!”
A murmur of confusion went around the room and Lady Charlotte herself scowled, obviously surprised and a little irritated by this reception.
Niall narrowed his eyes. He knew instinctively thatthiswas the real Countess of Argyle. So who was the woman he’d spoken to earlier? He headed for the door, all thoughts of the ball forgotten. He didn’t know who the red-haired woman he’d met was.
