The last of Tolston’s humor faded fast. “That is exactly what I wish to know.”
Rupert studied his friend. His normally stoic features were creased in concern, his posture tensed as though ready to spring into action.
Tolston was normally so calm, so unreadable and seeing him agitated was alarming. Tolston’s fears were understandable if he knew the girl in question. But still…
Rupert knew from experience how dangerous it could be to be emotionally involved during an investigation. Emotions only clouded the issue, it made it impossible to act with reason and logic.
Which was why it was for the best that he’d arrived when he had. He’d learned how to keep an emotional distance while working an investigation like this one, even if there was a damsel in distress.
Especially if there was a damsel in distress.
“Has anyone tried talking to the girl herself,” he said.
“Delilah? No.” Tolston’s brows drew down. “Addie and her friends have been trying ever since they received their invitations to the engagement ball.”
“She hasn’t received them?”
Tolston gave his head a quick shake. “Either she’s avoiding them, or…”
Rupert made a growling sound in the back of his throat. “Or she’s being kept away.”
“Precisely. We don’t know which, but either way, it’s been impossible to get to her. To warn her or help her or…” Tolston ran a hand through his hair in impatience. “Addie is beside herself with worry, and I…” Tolston flashed a rueful, nearly desperate smile. “I’m afraid that I cannot abide that. I cannot bear to see Addie upset.”
Rupert was momentarily stunned into silence. He’d never known his old friend to care about anyone or anything to this degree. But then again, he’d never seen his friend in love before, either.
Poor sap.
“When is the engagement ball?” Rupert asked.
“Two days from now.”
Rupert frowned. That didn’t give him much time to wrap his head around the current investigation. “And the wedding?”
“Three weeks hence.”
Rupert cursed under his breath. “Then we must act quickly.”
“Exactly. That is why I asked you to come. If there’s anyone who knows the extent of the danger, it is you. And you know how Everley thinks, how he acts.”
Rupert grunted his agreement. For better or for worse. He’d spent months trying to prove that Everley had murdered his younger cousin, Lyle. The heir to the title that Everley now bore, Lyle was Everley’s rival…and Rupert’s closest friend.
As good as a brother, really.
“Do you think you could help?” Tolston asked.
Rupert met his friend’s gaze evenly. His heart began to pound with determination. “I will do everything in my power to bring Everley to his knees before he has a chance to wed your fiancée’s friend.”
Tolston’s shoulders sagged with relief. “I’ll do anything I can to assist you. Just tell me what you’ll need.”
Rupert rested back in his seat as he crossed his arms and stared into the distance, his mind racing to come up with a plan. “First and foremost…” He turned to his friend. “I’ll need admittance to the engagement ball.”
Tolston nodded. “Consider it done.”
3
The room seemed to be spinning as Delilah made her way through the crowd.
“You look so beautiful, darling.” An older woman who smelled of licorice and talcum powder kissed the air beside both her cheeks.
“Thank you,” she murmured. Her hair felt too heavy, her face strained from smiling. The party had only just begun, and she already felt exhaustion creeping in.
The gown was cinched too tight, and her breath came in short bursts as she made her way slowly through the crush.
Where was she heading?
To her betrothed, she presumed. She had yet to speak to him alone. It had been weeks since she’d discovered she was engaged to Lord Evil—no, Lord Everley.
Blasted Louisa with her silly nicknames.
It had been weeks and she’d yet to see her fiancé.
Was that normal?
Ought not an engagement begin with a courtship?
Apparently not, as far as her betrothed was concerned. He’d come to the house to discuss the details of her dowry but left before she was able to see him.
Pressing business, her father’s solicitor had explained when he’d come into the drawing room to make Everley’s excuses.
Had he known that she’d been waiting for him?
Had he cared?
She shoved the questions aside. Likely not, and that did not matter. This was no love match, and she’d never expected it to be. Other girls might have spent their childhoods dreaming of fairy tales and romance, but not she.
She certainly would not begin now.
The room seemed to swim around her and a trickle of sweat made its way down her neck.
It was stiflingly hot in here; she couldn’t breathe properly.
And the people.
She’d never minded crowds before, but today…tonight…
She itched to tug off her clinging gloves. She had an overwhelming urge to take off her slippers, let her hair down, and…run.
Just run.
She clasped her hands together and focused on her breathing. It was just emotions talking. Nerves, most likely. After all, it wasn’t every day one attended one’s own engagement party.
She looked around her, a small smile plastered in place as it had been for the past two hours. Some faces she recognized, but not many.
Everley was popular, it seemed.
Her mind flashed back to earlier in the summer when Louisa had overheard him talking.
Perhaps he wasn’t popular. Maybe he was just feared. Maybe everyone here owed him something. Perhaps, like Louisa’s father, these partygoers were at his mercy now that they’d handed him their fate.
Just like her father had handed him hers.
Her future rested in his hands now.
She sucked in a deep breath of warm, scented air as she tried to steady herself. Her chin tilted up higher, her shoulders straightened.
A secret she’d learned a long time ago…the lower you feel, the higher you hold yourself. It worked like a charm. Pride and confidence did more to earn respect—and yes, sometimes fear—than all the smiles and simpering in the world.
So now she called upon that lesson as she headed toward the French doors leading outside.
Peering gazes followed her as she walked. Of course they were interested. She was
