Grace huffed and plucked at the embroidered flowers dotting the skirt of her gown. “May we go back out now? Serendipity charged me with keeping Joy away from the gaming rooms, so I really should at leastappearto be putting forth some effort in that regard.”
“You go.” Fortuity pulled in a deep breath and released it with a soul-cleansing sigh. “I need more time. I am not used to being the subject of such ardent attention, and I find it not only annoying but most tiresome.”
“You don’t trust him.” Grace poked her in the shoulder. “What did he do?”
“Keep your hands to yourself, Gracie.” Fortuity rubbed her shoulder even though the poke hadn’t hurt. “And he’s done nothing. It’s just…”
“Just what?”
“A feeling.”
Grace rose to her feet, stepped in front of Fortuity, then bent and looked her in the eyes. “Animals survive by their instincts,” she said quietly. “Listen to your feelings when they’re attempting to warn you about something.”
Fortuity tipped her head toward the door. “Go find Joy, or Serendipity and Chance will sputter at you.”
Grace grinned. “I enjoy making them sputter.” She wagged a finger. “Do not stay in here too long. If you don’t wish to return toScotland, seek the land you know.”
Fortuity nodded, then massaged her temples as Grace exited the room. The beginnings of a headache throbbed behind her eyes, making her wonder if an overindulgence of lemonade caused the same aftereffects as an overindulgence of wine. Not that she would know. Mama had taught them all that a lady must always remain in control, and too many spirited drinks stole one’s control away. She closed her eyes and continued rubbing the sides of her head. If this continued, she would go home early and seek refuge in her bed.
“There you are.”
Biting her tongue to keep from groaning aloud, Fortuity opened her eyes. “Eleanor.” She hoped her disgusted tone would make the chit go away.
Eleanor widened her eyes as though Fortuity had raised a hand to strike her. But then she took hold of Fortuity’s arm and tried to tug her to her feet. “Lady Blessing begged me to fetch you. She is in the garden and not feeling well at all.”
“What on earth is she doing out there in the cold night air? Where is Thorne? Surely he didn’t allow her to go outside alone?” Fortuity rose and hurried along behind Eleanor, cursing the crowded room that made getting to the veranda’s doors even more difficult. But the more she fought the crowd, the more she found the entire situation strange. She pulled Eleanor to a stop. “How did you happen to come across her? Outside in the chilly March air? And alone?” She narrowed her eyes. “Is this another of your tricks, Eleanor? Because I assure you, we all know how you are by now. We are not as dull-witted as you like to believe.”
The usually defiant Eleanor bowed her head. “I deserve that for my past behavior, of which all I can do is continue to apologize and beg forgiveness.” She lifted her dark-eyed gaze to Fortuity’s and appeared on the verge of tears. “I asked Lady Blessing to step outside so I might apologize to her personally for the way I behaved when she and Lord Knightwood were courting.”
“After all this time? Why now?” Fortuity eyed the woman, who was either telling the truth or was a remarkably talented liar. She couldn’t decide which. “Why this evening? You could have just as easily sent her a written apology at any time over the past year.”
“I felt it would be more sincere if I spoke to her directly. Notes can be so cold and impersonal.” Eleanor waved for Fortuity to follow. “And as we stand here arguing, your sister needs you. She sent me to fetch you and her husband both.”
“I would hope you took him to her first and then came to find me?” Fortuity still didn’t believe this wild tale, but a glance around the ballroom revealed that not only was Blessingnowhere to be seen, but neither was Thorne among the crowd, nor any of the other Broadmere siblings. Was Eleanor actually telling the truth for once?
“Of course. He has gone to her as we speak.”
Still doubtful but worried about Blessing, Fortuity waved Eleanor forward and hurried after her. As they charged outside, the bracing chilliness of the clear night made Fortuity catch her breath. “Essie should not be out here. Why could you not have spoken to her in an unused room?”
Eleanor halted and stared out across the moonlit gardens. “I don’t see them. Lord Knightwood must have carried her inside.”
“I sincerely hope so. This coldness could not possibly be good for her.”
“But I promised to bring you to her,” Eleanor said. “I am trying my best to show her I have changed and regret my past behavior.”
Fortuity turned to go back inside. “I will assure her you kept your word to fetch me. Come. All we are accomplishing out here are numb fingers and toes.”
“But I must keep my word. Let us check Lady Burrastone’s library. Perhaps he carried her there so she might rest in the quiet until their carriage is brought ’round.” Eleanor caught her by the wrist and hurried her along. “I am so concerned about her.”
“Should we find Lady Burrastone? I have no idea where her library is.” Fortuity pulled her arm free. “I prefer not to be dragged.”
“Of course, forgive me.” Eleanor didn’t slow her pace. “The library is down this hall and off to the right. Lady Burrastone was kind enough to give Mama and me a tour when we had tea with her recently.”
Fortuity hadn’t realized that the Sykesburys had ingratiated themselves with Lady Burrastone, but it made sense. The dearold woman hungered for those who blindly followed wherever she led. Mama had often said the lady longed to be placed on a pedestal and worshipped as if she were the patron saint of theton.
“Here it is,” Eleanor said as she opened a door on the right. She stepped back to let Fortuity enter first. “I remember a pair of fainting couches at the far end of the room in front of the hearth. Surely he took her there.”
Entering the shadowy room, Fortuity turned in the direction of the candles glowing on the mantel. “Essie, are you there? Thorne?”
