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Once Mama had walked away, Violetta turned to her. “Orris, he will not be here. You may as well stop searching the room for him. I want you to try to have some fun. There are plenty of gentlemen here. Ones who would be happy to make your acquaintance and merely add their name to your card, no less. Promise me you will not shut them out when they pursue you.”

“I am not searching for anyone. I was enjoying the scenery. Lady Hemphill went to all this trouble to oversee the decorations, and we should partake of it before the wine starts flowing and we are exhausted from one too many quadrilles and waltzes.” Orris had honestly not noticed her compulsory need to search out Abram.

“Do you swear to try to have at least a moment of fun?” Violetta held up her right hand, as if in taking an oath.

Orris mimicked her. “I solemnly swear on my honor and virtue as a Gray sister,” she said, the smile authentic for once.

“Very well. Now, shall we take a turn about the room? There are people we should at least wave to.”

“Yes, and I should like to take a moment to appreciate some of the other decorations. There is a champagne centerpiece that positively defies gravity. You can see it from here, just there.” Orris pointed to the spectacle.

“Certainly,” Violetta agreed, even if her tone of voice said otherwise.

Orris grabbed her sister’s hand and they locked arms. Halfway around the enormous space, Orris heard the announcement for Samuel and Myrtle and the dowager viscountess. The Viscount and Viscountess Fredericks, him in tails and her in a stunning silver gown with embroidered hearts on her tapered sleeves, shoulders bare save one side with a feathered heart at her right shoulder.

“She truly is embodying the elegant viscountess, is she not?” Violetta stared, her slightly upturned mouth and eyes wet with pride.

“Indeed,” Orris added. As the pair descended the stairs to enter, anyone could see how much they were in love. Even as happy as Orris was for her sister, her heart clenched with knowing she might never find anyone who cared for her as deeply.

“Shall we go say hello?” Violetta said, pulling against Orris.

“Lead the way,” Orris agreed, following her as she cut a swath through the crush.

Before long, they were standing before them and the dowager viscountess, as well. “Good evening, Samuel, Myrtle, Lady Fredericks,” Violetta started.

They offered a small bow and curtsies to one another.

“Good evening. Orris,” Samuel said, his lips pressed into a thin line. “I understand you paid my home a visit earlier in the day.” Even if his temperament was cool, the clipped tone of the words told the scolding truth.

“Do not worry yourself, Samuel,” Orris said. “I shall not bother your staff again. There are some people who do not appreciate support and concern. I have learned my lesson.”

Violetta squeezed her arm. “And she is here, wearing a brave face despite any hardships she may have endured during the day. I, for one, and happy to have her at my side.”

“We are, Sister. Glad you were up to attending. You both look simply divine,” Myrtle said.

“I have not seen three more gorgeous ladies,” the Dowager Lady Fredericks commented. “We must enjoy a beverage together before the night ends. Now, if you will excuse me. I am off to find Lady Hemphill to offer my sentiments on this impressive display. It is a touch elaborate for my taste but very fitting for such an occasion.” She moved on with the grace of someone who had never been in a room where she did not dominate.

“She means to say it is gaudy,” Myrtle whispered.

The three laughed, and Violetta nodded.

“I happen to like it. Sometimes, the balls are terribly bored in their monochromatic pastels,” Orris said.

“And on that note, I shall find some other gentlemen with whom to talk about politics and horse racing,” Samuel said, offering his wife a kiss on the hand before escaping the way of his stepmother.

“Do not fret over him, ladies. He shall ask me for all the gossip once we are home this evening.” Myrtle winked at them before glancing around the room herself.

“Violetta, did Lord Abram tell Samuel what happened earlier today?” Orris asked. She had filled Violetta and Gladys in from her perspective earlier. Mama still thought her to be weeping over Thomas, when he was honestly the last thing on her mind. She could not share with her, for she would have been furious over the position in which Orris had placed herself.

“He did,” Myrtle said, “and Harper told us you’d been to see him, so it was easy to figure out what had led you to that part of town. Samuel mentioned something about Lord Abram going to the docks tonight to find Grady Easton, and to ensure you stayed put here at the ball. I know he was not very polite about what he said to you, but could it have been due to his fears for your safety? Samuel seems to believe so.”

“Enough talk of brutal men. Shall we go retrieve a cocktail?” Violetta led the way, with Myrtle and Orris following behind her.

While she had expected some of the details to make their way back home, she had not anticipated Abram would be so very candid about… everything. The other unexpected thing of note was how her stomach tightened at the thought of him sharing intimate conversations so callously. Orris did not think Abram would handle personal matters, issues between them, as no more than idle chattering. He had handled her without regard, had he not? The thought of it caused tension behind her eyes, along with a chill behind her breastbone. It had, indeed, caused pain and consternation. “I do not think he had any concerns about my safety at all,” whispered Orris. “He criticized me for being empathetic, then accused me of playing a game with people’s lives. I was doing no such thing. I do not believe he understands me. Not my true self. He thinks I am silly.”

Myrtle patted her arm. “Perhaps, but I think you should speak with one another. Most misunderstandings can be worked out.”

Orris shrugged as they finally arrived at the beverage table, the pyramid-shaped champagne glasses practically daring them to touch.