Page 27

With a burden of her strained relationship with Violetta lifted, even if she knew in her heart that there would be times when they did not agree on all matters, Orris felt much better. She dressed for dinner, feeling lighter than she had in months.

By the time she was finished dressing with the help of her lady’s maid, she came downstairs to find Mr. Fain with Samuel. She would be lying if she said his arrival was not the reason she had been in a rush to dress.

His voice, along with Samuel’s, spilled into the vestibule. The robust tone was laced with what seemed to be exhaustion. Orris breezed into the room, plucked a glass of sherry from Dorchester’s tray, then took a seat near the fireplace. She was far enough away to appear unaware of the situation, yet close enough to overhear the conversation.

To intrude was too forward. Eavesdropping was an entirely different story. She was concerned over his welfare. Nothing more. No matter how many times she had to mentally repeat the phrase. He was not her concern, but her heart squeezed when she thought of him being alone and away from home.

Orris knew she wouldn’t have made the transition from Texas to London without the love and support of her siblings.

“Orris, you do not have to sit over there. Please, join us,” Samuel said.

Orris knew the pair of them would change the conversation once she joined them. “Yes, thank you. Mr. Fain, a pleasure seeing you once again. Tell me, has your friend turned up?” She knew Samuel would never mention a thing with ladies present.

“Er…” After an initial grimace, Mr. Fain glanced at Samuel to determine if he took issue with the rather direct question, Orris was sure.

Samuel nodded. He was rather progressive, even if tied to some old-fashioned rules.

“I have not, just yet.” Mr. Fain cast his eyes down, as if inspecting the floor.

Orris nodded. “We have been discussing ways to help you find this missing person.”

Samuel cut in. “I can assure you, we shall report back with any updates, Orris.”

Curse her luck. As his redirect showed, the viscount would not allow Orris to glean any insight from Mr. Fain. Samuel was turning out to be exceedingly overprotective. He was her brother-in-law, not her actual brother. The fact seemed to make no difference to him, whatsoever.

“I see.” Orris tried not to pout, careful to wave off Samuel, a display of indifference she hoped he believed. As she turned back to him, she offered him a shy smile. Her nerves prickled along her arm as she extended it, in anticipation of his touch.

“Yes. You are extremely kind to ask, but I should not like to trouble you with the details. It is enough to know a noble lady cares for him.” Mr. Fain grasped her hand and placed a soft kiss atop her glove.

The moment he’d touched her gloved hand, her heart pounded in her chest for a few beats. She had never been so affected by a man. When he’d released her hand from his gentle grip, she extracted a handkerchief from the lace at her wrist to discreetly dab away a trickle of sweat dotting her brow. Orris thought she might swoon but swallowed hard against it, resting a hand against the table nearest her. “Forgive me. We so rarely have any bit of intrigue, and while I do not take your missing friend as folly, I should like to know he is well.”

“Of course, Miss Gray. And I would not assume any such thing. You have always been exceedingly kind.”

Mr. Fain stepped away before Orris heard the subtle exhale, as if he were relieved by the small distance between them. Poor man. He likely did not realize how ever-observant women were. Orris would do damned well as she pleased. While pretending to follow her brother-in-law’s restrictions, she had decided. She would help Mr. Fain. The earl had given her some inadvertent tips. She recalled how to move about the city undetected. One of the last things she’d learned from Thomas was how to disappear in plain sight. This knowledge would certainly be useful now.

Orris would help Mr. Fain. Whether he wanted her to or not.

Chapter Fourteen

With his feet aching and the dawn threatening to catch him still out wandering the west end of London, Abram was ready to give up.

He had no more clues to Rowan’s whereabouts than he had started the day with. Perhaps the man had run off back to Ireland. It did not seem like him to do so. He had been complaining across the countries they had visited. London had been the most recent and by far, the most comfortable of all their stops despite the populous urban center. No, he likely would not have abandoned Abram in such a way.

As he returned to his apartment, he wandered past the landlord, who also worked within the apartments, acting as a butler of sorts. Given the hour, Abram was not feeling up to chatting with anyone. He ran a hand over his face, the exhaustion taking its due.

“My lord,” the man said, a hand raised.

What was his name? Abram had not bothered to learn it. Rowan generally dealt with payments and contracts for their arrangements.

“Yes, good night,” he replied. He did not break his stride, hoping the man was merely greeting him as he walked past to the building just beyond the main entrance.

“I was hoping to settle the debt for this month,” he said.

Good Lord! The thought of payment for the month had slipped his mind. Rowan was responsible for coin. Abram thought back to the satchel with all the money he had, save the earnings from his painting of the Gray family, which was with his valet. The payment from the Grays would be enough, however, though he’d have to watch his expenditures going forward until Rowan turned up.

“Might I ask… The gentleman I was with, Rowan Horton. Have you seen him about?”

His mouth twisted as he rubbed a distended belly. Finally, he shook his head. “No, I ’aven’t. The last time I encountered him was four days ago. He told me he would see me later that evening. He has not returned. The two rooms have been let, and he mentioned you have no idea when you’re leaving. If you should like to remain here throughout the season, I’m happy to offer a lower fee.”