“Me too,” Maddie said, linking arms with Samantha. “All this socializing with people who see me as beneath them is making me uncomfortable.”
“I’m not sure why they do. You are a duke’s sister and absolutely stunning in that dress,” Dorrie said.
It was true, she was. Maddie’s chestnut hair was styled elegantly, and her dress was a soft copper color and was perfect for her.
“I know, and that inferiority complex I have is my problem.” she laughed. “Harry says I am worth ten of all these people, family excluded.” Maddie sighed. “I love that man so much.”
“He is wonderful, as are all of the men in this family,” Samantha said. Wanting to add that one in particular was more than wonderful.Her Sinclair.
“What has happened, Dorrie?” Samantha asked. “I can see something has upset you.”
“I was standing behind Lord and Lady Blake. I heard them saying that Lord Nightingale killed himself yesterday due to his debts.” Dorrie looked grave.
“Dear Lord,” Samantha whispered. “I have not seen Ellen tonight and now I know why.”
“Lord Blake said Viscount Lester had also withdrawn his offer for Ellen,” Somer added.
“You will need to support your friend,” Maddie said to them. “She will be facing ruin.”
“We will support her,” Samantha vowed. She could only imagine the hell that Ellen and her family were now going through.
“Tomorrow we will send word that we want to help her,” Somer said. “Our family will support her.”
Samantha knew they would. “Yes, we’ll send around a note first thing in the morning.”
“Lady Samantha.”
A servant approached. Clearly one of the hired ones just for the charity ball as she did not recognize him.
“A note has arrived for you, my lady. The man who handed it to me is in the rear parlor on the lower floor, awaiting you.”
She took it with thanks. Opening the missive, she read the contents.
“What does it say?” Dorrie asked.
“Mr. Blanchet is unwell. I will see to him and join you soon. Save me an eclair, Dorrie.”
“I will come with you. You are not going to see a man alone,” Maddie said.
“Very well, but do not be long, I will be unable to hold off Cam indefinitely,” Dorrie said.
They hurried through the house and took the stairs down to the parlor. Opening it, she saw no sign of Mr. Blanchet but the door leading outside was ajar.
“Perhaps he is taking air?” Maddie said.
“Perhaps.” Samantha walked to the door and through with her sister on her heels.
They both heard the loud coughing coming from their right. Heading that way, Samantha soon saw the bent form of a man in the torchlit gardens.
“Mr. Blanchet, are you all right?”
“Not another word, or I shoot one of you.”
The words were spoken from behind them. The voice was a woman’s.
“What is going on, Mr. Blanchet?” she asked him as he rose and faced her. Ice cold fear gripped her. What was happening?
“Why, I am kidnapping you, dear Lady Samantha, and your sister as it happens, which will strengthen my cause.”
