“Are you all right, sir?”
He straightened, and then turned. Evie began to back away as Lord Cavendish smiled at her.
“I don’t think so, Miss Spencer.” He grabbed her arm.
Chapter Twenty-One
Anthony was talkingwith Toby and Jamie when someone tapped him on the shoulder. Turning he found Prudence Spencer with a worried look on her face.
“Lord Hamilton.” She curtseyed. “Have you seen my sister?”
His eyes immediately looked for Evangeline, like they had since he’d left her.
“No. How long has it been since you saw her?”
“Not long, but I fear something is not right, and I have looked everywhere, and it is not like her to leave me.” She looked close to tears now. “I fear something has happened to her.
“Your father—”
“Has not seen her.”
“I took her walking in the gallery a while ago,” Toby said. “She wanted to stay there and study the paintings.”
“I have just come from there,” Prudence said.
“Can either of you see Cavendish?” He said the words softly, so only Toby and Jamie could hear.
His friends rose to their toes, and then both shook their heads.
Where are you, Evangeline?
“Lord Hamilton, if I may have a word.”
“Lady Raine,” he said, bowing to her. “If you will excuse me, I am looking for my fiancée.”
The woman was one of society’s beauties. Married to the powerful Earl of Raine, she was not someone he knew well, or usually talked to.
“That is what I wish to speak to you about,” she said softly. “I overheard Miss Beasley telling a group of people that she heard Miss Spencer say to her sister she was going out to meet with another man in the gardens.”
“I beg your pardon?”
“Exactly. Make haste, Hamilton. That girl is perfect for you. It’s about time you changed your ways.”
“Ah—”
“Move.” She shooed him away.
Anthony left, moving through the guests with his friends and Prudence on his heels. Stepping outside, he didn’t see Evangeline on the balcony, so he made his way down the stairs.
“Go right,” he directed his friends. “Prudence, return to the ballroom.”
“I cannot—”
“Your sister has no wish for you to ruin your reputation. Allow me to find her on your behalf.” She wanted to protest, but knew his words were true. She nodded and retreated to the stairs.
Anthony ran down the shell path to the left, searching everywhere as he did so.
Where are you, Evangeline?
