Page 99 of Evie and Louis: The Story so Far

“There she is,” Evie said, gesturing to where Miss Morcombe was slipping through the door to the ladies' retiring rooms.

“Thank you, Evie,” Rosamund said with a sigh of relief. “I’ll catch her on her way out and take her somewhere private to talk.”

“You’re welcome. Though I insist you explain everything the next time I see you,” she added with a smile.

Rosamund nodded. “I will if you will,” she said wryly.

The two of them stood quietly, catching their breath after their run through the house.

“Goodness, it’s hot,” Evie complained, fanning herself vigorously. “I wonder if I can stand the crush in the refreshments room. I’m dreadfully thirsty.”

“Mademoiselle,” said a soft voice as a silver tray appeared before her. “Un cadeau de monsieur le comte.”

Rosamund started as she saw the servant. He was neatly and precisely dressed, as all of Madam Belvedere’s servants were, but his face was badly scarred, so severely that Rosamund had to fight not to stare at the poor man.

“From the Comte de Villen?” Evie said in surprise as she saw the glass of chilled champagne he offered her.

The servant raised a finger to his lips, one side of which was twisted into a permanent smile. He offered her the glass.

Evie frowned, hesitating. Rosamund suspected she did not wish to insult the man by questioning him further in case he thought the look of him had unsettled her, so she took the glass.

“Merci,” she said as the servant bowed and slipped away.

“Louis ought not to take such risks,” Evie muttered crossly. “If my father finds out….”

She closed her eyes, her expression pained. Sighing heavily, she lifted the glass to her lips and took a sip of the champagne.

“What’s wrong?” Rosamund asked her with concern.

Evie shook her head. “Nothing. At least nothing I can tell you tonight. I will explain everything next time I see you… Oh, look! There’s your quarry.”

Rosamund started, turning to see Miss Morcombe as she hurried back into the crowd. “We will speak soon, Evie,” Rosamund promised her, before setting off in pursuit.

Chapter 44

Sinfully Daring

Jacques,

Prepare the fortress for an extended visit. I have a bad feeling Louis is going to need to disappear for a while and you know I prefer to prepare for the worst. We’ll need extra security in place at the club, too. I’m taking no chances. If his suspicions are correct, I fear for him. I’m not sure he can endure this again.

―Excerpt of a letter from Wulfric ‘Wolf’ De Vere to Jacques Toussaint, Manager of Rogue et Noir, Paris.

17th July 1842, Mrs Belvedere’s Ball, Bloomsbury Square, Holborn, London.

“Have you seen Humphrey Price?” Mr Knight demanded of Lord Bainbridge, interrupting his conversation with Gabriel’s son, Felix Knight, and Rosamund’s brother, Jules.

“No. Don’t wish to, either,” Bainbridge said, blunt as ever. “Man’s a prat. Why d’you want him?”

“Unfinished business,” Gabriel muttered darkly.

Bainbridge perked up at once. “Oh, a mill, is it? Need a hand?”

Gabriel shrugged. “If you can find him, certainly.”

Bainbridge, being one of the tallest men in the room, scanned the ballroom. “Follow me,” he commanded, waving them on as he strode through the gathering, scattering lesser beings as he went.

They were halfway across the ballroom when Mr Price caught sight of them and gave a little shriek. He turned to run, only to find Miss Morcombe standing in his way. She slapped him, hard.