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‘Not quite,’ he said. ‘I know someone who is very good at tracking people down. He knows the ins and outs of the city and has contacts in places you would never dream of going. Will you let me ask him?’
‘What manner of man is he?’
‘He is an honest man who has served me well for years and he knows how to keep his tongue between his teeth.’
‘Aunt, what do you think?’
‘Let him try, if it means you will lose that doleful look,’ her aunt answered. ‘You cannot go to Cassandra’s ball looking like that.’
‘Cassie’s ball! You surely do not expect me to attend that?’
‘Why not? Augusta has put herself about for you and Cassandra is your friend. We cannot let them down.’ She turned to Adam. ‘You will be going, will you not, my lord?’
He looked at Sophie and smiled, knowing she was remembering his unflattering remark about the ball, and found an answering twinkle in her eye. She had not entirely lost her sense of humour. ‘Unless some catastrophe occurs, I shall be there. I will leave you now to go and speak to my man.’ He was still looking at Sophie. ‘Try not to worry.’
* * *
‘I think I will write to Jane and Mark, just in case Teddy has gone home,’ Sophie said, when he had gone. ‘I cannot write home directly because it would worry Mama and Papa, but Jane will tell us if he is at home and what reason he gave for leaving me here. In any case, Mark is coming to fetch us back after Cassie’s ball.’
‘I am sorry your stay has not been all you had hoped, child.’
‘It is not your fault, Aunt, and truly I was enjoying myself until Teddy got into such a mess.’ She gave a half-hearted chuckle that bordered on a sob. ‘Not so long ago he was chiding me for getting into scrapes and not behaving with decorum. I would give anything for him to be here doing that again.’
‘All is not lost, my dear. He will return looking sheepish, I do not doubt. There are still three days to go before the ball, and who knows what might happen before that is over?’
‘I might get a proposal, you mean? I don’t think that is going to happen, Aunt, unless it be from those I have already turned down.’
‘Are you still determined not to change your mind about them?’
‘I don’t know. I might have need of a wealthy husband...’
‘There is Viscount Kimberley, of course.’
‘What about him?’
‘Oh, Sophie, can you not see he loves you?’
Sophie stared at her. ‘Whatever made you say that?’
‘I see it in his eyes, in the way he looks at you, in his concern for you, in the way he flaps his arms about as if he would put them round you and knows he must not. Would a man who is not in love chase all over town at the dead of night to make you feel a little easier?’
‘Oh, Aunt, you must be mistaken. He has said he will not marry again, but I think Cassie expects to change his mind for him.’
‘And you have said you will not be a second wife, so what is either statement to the point when two hearts beat for each other?’
‘What do you know of my heart?’
Her aunt laughed. ‘You are wearing it on your sleeve.’
Was it that obvious? Had he noticed it? Had Cassie? Oh, she felt like running away and hiding, which was probably what Teddy had done. But there was nowhere to run to, except home. Oh, how she longed to be safe at Greystone Manor, safe in the bosom of her family. She went to the morning room and sat down at her aunt’s escritoire to write to Jane.
* * *
The day of Cassie’s ball arrived and they still had no news of Teddy. Jane had written that he was not at home and she had no idea where he might be. ‘I have said nothing to Mama and Papa,’ she had written. ‘But if he doesn’t turn up soon, they will have to be told.’ She was obviously concerned and Sophie was sorry she had worried her.
Adam had called several times, only to bring disappointing news. He gave no sign that he thought of her in any way other than a friend. He continued the search because he had said he would, but he must be thoroughly tired of her and her troublesome brother by now. And Cassie, who had called the day before to discuss the last arrangements for what promised to be the event of the Season, was happily convinced that he would offer for her that very night and mark the occasion with the gift of a horse. If that happened she would have to be happy for her, but it was not going to be easy.
It was with great reluctance she went up to her room to change into her finery. Bessie was there to help her, but she could hardly rouse any enthusiasm, being almost as worried Sophie was. ‘He is like a naughty schoolboy,’ she told Sophie. ‘Always wants his own way and sulks when he cannot have it.’
