Page 33 of Sweet Hellion

They turned as a buxom woman in her fifties approached.

“Baroness Trent.” Stirling grasped her hand and bowed over her fingers.

“You naughty boy,” she said. “You said nothing about being here.”

“It was a last-minute decision,” he said. “Baroness Trent, may I introduce Viscount Northwick.”

Rhys winced at hearing the title, but grasped the woman’s hand and bowed as he’d done a thousand times before in his life. “Baroness.”

She looked at him from beneath her lashes. “How gallant. Where did you find him, Stirling?”

“Blackstone Abbey,” Stirling said. “You will forgive us, Baroness, but we must speak with the major general.”

“Of course,” she said. “I expect a dance from you, Stirling. And you as well, young man.”

“Of course,” Stirling said, and she sailed away.

Stirling said, “I will find John. You make sure all is well with your lady.”

“My lady?” Rhys blurted. “I never said—”

“You didn’t have to.” Without another word, Stirling turned and started away.

Rhys was all too aware of the stares sent his way. He wasn’t dressed for a ball. He ignored the stares and stopped the first waiter he saw to ask directions to the kitchen. The man looked at him as if he’d lost his mind, but directed him, nonetheless. Minutes later, Rhys entered the kitchen. The bustle came to a halt. Rhys didn’t see Emma amongst the servants.

“Can we help ye, sir?” asked a stout woman he suspected was the cook.

“I am looking for Miss Emma Bamfield. Is she here?”

The woman’s mouth thinned. “She did not show up tonight. I will report her to Mrs. Worsley.”

Rhys looked around the kitchen. “No one here has seen her?”

No one moved. Rhys cursed under his breath and left the kitchen. Once back in the ballroom, he scanned the room for Stirling. He had to return to Emma’s home. Maybe she simply hadn’t returned from the infirmary. Was it possible she was still there? Why would she stay there and not report for duty tonight?

A serving girl carrying a tray stopped beside him. “Champagne, sir?”

He shook his head.

“Are you sure, sir? Emma had some earlier.”

He spun to face her. “You saw her?”

She nodded. “She came as a guest.”

“A guest? Why?”

The girl shook her head. “I dinnae know. She said she had to see someone.”

Munro.

“You have not seen her since?”

“Nae.”

“If you do, tell her Rhys is looking for her.”

She nodded.