“That’s too bad. I prefer to keep my enemies close.” I squinted at him. “You’re not the third brother? Emmett?”
“Emmett?” The boy’s eyebrows shot up. “No. Emmett has been missing for a fortnight.”
I blinked. “Missing?”
“Oh, yes. I don’t suppose you have any news, if you’re only becoming aware of the circumstances.”
“Can’t say I do.” I held out a hand to the boy, mulling over this new information, and he shook it. “I’m afraid you have me at a disadvantage.”
“I’m Matthew.”
“Matthew. And what do you think of the ball so far, Matthew?”
Matthew shrugged. “Tedious. Full of the same faces we always see around here. You, my good sir, are one of only a few fresh commodities here tonight.”
I chuckled. “Well, I hope it wins me some points with the duke’s family then.”
“Time will tell.” He paused as we took a moment to watch Isabel manage to monopolize Ambrose. “She is certainly … assertive.”
“That’s very diplomatic of you,” I said, grinning at him. “I believe I’m a harsher critic.”
“Oh, do tell. What do you think of her?”
“Aside from the obvious fact that she’s spoiled and brazen, she’s also manipulative. She’s quite polite when in the company of the duke’s family over there, all gentle smiles and gaiety, but away from them … well, you’ve seen her true colors. She’s an odious, contrary thing.”
“Mmm. And what of Violetta?”
“Chronic people-pleaser. She hasn’t said one bad thing about a single person, even when goaded by her friend. In fact, she seemed to try to keep the peace. I’m not sure why she’s so attached to Isabel, but she’s likely one of the few people who has ever paid her any mind.” I shrugged. “It’s rather sad, really.”
Matthew nodded slowly. “I’m impressed. Do you always read people so quickly and easily?”
“I’ve had a lot of experience.”
“What do you think of me then?”
I cocked my head, watching him for a moment. “You, sir, are yet a mystery. For some reason, you’re interested in what I think. I don’t know what to make of that. I’m a nobody here.”
“That in itself makes you somebody in this crowd.” Matthew shook his head. “But tell me, if you’re so concerned with the duke’s family and Isabel’s insertion, is it because you’ve taken a liking to Ambrose?”
“I haven’t even met him yet.”
“So, you’re interested solely in his status?”
I shrugged. “I don’t care about his status one way or the other, in all honesty.”
“Oh?”
“He’s handsome clearly, and has throngs of admirers. They can’t all be simply interested in what he will inherit, I hope.”
“Then whatareyou interested in?”
I bestowed a winning smile on Matthew, but I suddenly had the impression that he was feeling me out. I wasn’t sure if I had made him suspicious somehow, or if he was merely curious, but it did put me on alert. I sighed and gestured to the door nearby. “Care for a walk? It’s rather loud and warm in here, isn’t it?”
Matthew nodded and we stepped out into the night air. The cool breeze was a balm against my flushed skin, and the darkness shrouded me, cloaking my secrets so that I didn’t feel so exposed. I was more myself now, and I walked confidently into the garden as the sounds of gaiety faded behind us.
“I intend to court Ambrose,” I admitted. “I won’t lie about my intentions. But courting is like a business transaction. It must be agreeable to both sides. Most people here are going into this assuming that Ambrose is a good deal, and he certainly is if you look at his standing in society, so they pull no stops in trying to win his approval.”
“And you aren’t like that?”
