“Then let us make our way there.”
Her husband expertly led her through the crush. They had almost reached their goal when Darius’s parents intercepted them. Despite her concern over Rose, Ellie felt her heart warm that she’d been able to convince Darius’s parents to attend the ball.
Lady Roxburgh, in a full mask and long Grecian toga, held her hands out. “My dear, thank you so much for inviting us. We are having a marvelous time.”
Ellie took the duchess’s hand as Her Grace leaned in closer. “No one knows they have another duke among them, so we are truly enjoying ourselves.”
Darius’s father—dressed as a pirate, also masked and complete with real pegleg—chuckled. “Son, we would be happy to travel south every year for this wonderful event.”
“I have my wife to thank for your enjoyment. It is a rare pleasure to see you both out and about in a social setting.”
Lord Roxburgh looked at Ellie. “Actually, I haveyouto thank for making my son happy.”
She blushed at the compliment. “It is a mutual feeling, Your Grace.”
Lady Roxburgh squeezed Ellie’s hands and let go. “We will not keep you from attending to others. We just wished to tell you of our appreciation before the night ends.”
As the two wound their way through the crowd, Darius took her arm once again. “I don’t know what you wrote in your letter to convince them to change their mind, but I thank you for giving them this night.”
She wasn’t sure she deserved so many accolades. “I only explained that since they could wear masks, no one would know them, so there was no reason to forgo our ball. I put forth the situation logically and hoped they could see past their natural emotional response to social gatherings.”
“Ellie, what seems so simple to you is often complicated for others. It is part of why I love you.”
She met his gaze and felt another wave of love for him. “And I appreciate that you supported my whim to host this ball, for none of the festivities would have happened without you. And I’m particularly happy I didn’t have to be escorted by Anthony.” She grimaced, having dreaded such a charade.
“Speaking of my brother, he appears to have cornered Lord Harewood and Lord Sommerset by the punch table, but I don’t see Lady Rose now.”
Ellie did a quick scan of the ballroom. He was right. “I also don’t see Sophie, and I am her chaperone. Perhaps we should split up and tackle both tasks at once.”
“I prefer not to, but I understand your concern. Very well, I will talk with the lords about the strangely absent Lady Rose, and you search out Lady Sophie.”
As they parted, Ellie made a note where every shepherdess was and began a methodical search. It didn’t take long to be sure it was indeed Sophie who was missing, though she did get pulled away for a moment or two by Lady Saunders and Lady Chelton, who seemed to forget they were friends in their anxiousness to invite her to tea. Once away from them again, she counted shepherdesses. There were only eight, which could mean that Sophie had left for the ladies’ retiring room.
Seeing that her husband was no longer in the room, she hesitated to leave. One of them should be present. They were the hosts. Impatiently, she strode toward the table with the punch and took a glass, absently sipping it. Soon dinner would be called, and it would be difficult to find anyone in the crush.
Finally, her husband reentered the ballroom and made his way to her.
“Where is Rose? Tell me her brother did not send her to her room.”
Darius shook his head, his lips twitching. “No. It seems your classmate was challenged to a game of billiards. Lord Harewood found her in the middle of the game and, since she was winning, thought it best not to expose her. He’s waiting to escort her back to the ball. Lord Sommerset found his brother Christopher there as well, and expressly, though quietly, commanded him to return to the ballroom as soon as his card game was complete.”
Relieved that Rose was safely chaperoned, she smiled. “I’m pleased that one lady is well attended, but now I must find Sophie.”
Her husband’s right eyebrow rose. “You didn’t find her?”
“No. I plan to check the—” Someone bumped into her. Though her husband caught her arm, as she turned, her punch spilled all over the shepherdess dress of Sophie. “Oh, Sophie.”
Sophie, usually so calm and reflective, appeared a bit wild-eyed as she looked about before gazing down at her ruined costume. She raised her head. “It was my fault. I’d best change.”
She turned to leave, and Ellie grabbed her hand. Something was wrong. “Come to my room. I have a simple domino cape in my chest that you can wear.”
Sophie hesitated, still scanning the room. Finally, she nodded.
Ellie looked up at Darius. “I’ll return shortly.”
He glanced at Sophie and also nodded. That he understood something was amiss relieved her. Quickly, she looped her arm through Sophie’s and guided her out. In the entryway, she felt Sophie tense before she almost pulled Ellie up the stairs.
Concern wormed its way into Ellie’s heart as she guided Sophie to her room. Once there, her friend seemed to return to her usual calm. In the lamplight, Ellie noticed that Sophie’s hair was a bit messy and her cap was askew. “Come, let us get you out of your costume.”
