“Did you think I was a coward, Leo?” Ellen nodded when someone smiled at her, and she tried to remember the person’s name.
“No, but it is time, Ellen. No more hiding.”
“Hello, Ellen.”
“Duke.” She curtseyed to the Duke of Raven and his duchess when they reached them. Lovely people who she liked. How had she put all of society in a chest that she’d shut and locked? These people were part of her old life, and she admired them very much.
“Look at you,” Eden said. Sister to Dorrie and Somer, Eden was someone she’d always liked.
Her friends came from a loud, boisterous family as she did, and often they suffered insults from those that saw themselves as their betters. It had not deterred them from living their lives.
“You are stunning, and I’m so pleased to meet you again. The twins were beyond excited to have their fears now allayed over what had become of you, Ellen.”
“I’m sorry to have worried them, Eden.”
“That’s done with now.” The duchess hugged her. “But do not disappear again.”
“I won’t. You look lovely, Eden.” Dressed in deep red, she was beautiful with her raven-colored hair and diamonds sparkling at her neck.
“I have wrinkles that weren’t there a few months ago. It is most distressing, but then with my family, is it any wonder?”
“But still the most beautiful woman in any room, my sweet,” James, her husband, said.
This was real love, she thought, like her aunt and uncle. Ellen would settle for nothing less. Gray slipped into her head. Could he love like that?
“Looking your usual handsome self, Bramstone.”
“Thank you, Eden, I try.”
“He’s a rogue.” Aunt Ivy smiled.
“These are good people of noble birth, niece,” Uncle Bram whispered. “But don’t look now, as we are not the only society members present who chose to leave or were forced from, their exalted ranks. Our friendly and easily inebriated detective is also present with a man I do not know.”
Ellen followed her uncle’s eyes and found Gray. He stood with Ramsey, his usual expressionless self. Immaculate in evening clothes, he appeared alone even surrounded by people. Eyes searching, checking who was nearby.
“That is his cousin, Mr. Hellion,” Ellen said.
“Ah, I hear he is natured like Alex, or so Leo told me.”
“Very much so.”
Uncle Bram started chatting with the duke, and Ellen looked around her. This wasn’t so bad. She had her family at her side, and while people were watching them, it didn’t feel as horrid as she thought it would. Her eyes found Gray again.
“I think you like that man, sister dear,” Alex whispered the words in her ear.
“I don’t know Mr. Hellion very well, Alex. I have met him only briefly.”
“You know I mean Gray.”
“What?” She dragged her eyes from the cousins to look at her brother.
“Gray. I think you have feelings growing inside you for our uptight detective.”
“I definitely do not,” she said calmly. Instead of snapping, which was what she wanted to do. “Don’t be ridiculous, Alex.”
“Ah well, silly me, I must have gotten that all wrong.”
“Absolutely wrong.” Ellen had the urge to press her palm to her heart, since it was beating so hard. While she had acknowledged experiencing some emotions for Gray, she had no wish for her family to discuss the matter yet.
