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Sam’s cheeks burned in shame for whatever had gone on in the room, for the abominable behavior by the high-born ladies and the shameless viscount.
A shadow loomed in front of her, and she tried to evade it and see inside the room again.
“What are you doing here?” Gage said with a menacing scowl. “It’s not a place for a young lady.” He took her by the arm and started leading her away.
“But—”
“No. What were you even thinking, going in there?”
“Evie—”
“And where’s Isabel? Isn’t she supposed to be watching you?”
“Richard—”
“If you see scandal brewing, you walk away from it, not toward it—”
Sam dug in her heels. “Richard, Evie is still in there!”
“Damn it,” Richard muttered under his breath. Sam raised her brows at him. “Pardon. I’ll go fetch her, but you… Stand right here, do not move.”
Sam threw up her hands.Where would I even go?
* * *
Sam stood in place for several long moments. People started returning to the ball, even the orchestra resumed playing, yet there was no sign of her family.Where did everyone disappear to?She heaved an impatient sigh.
“Care for a stroll?”
Sam turned and saw John lingering by her side. She smiled but shook her head. “You have to ask my chaperones. Only none of them are anywhere in sight.”
“They are dealing with the mess made by St. Clare. There was a threat of a duel and your brother had to intervene along with Clydesdale. And your sister is with the duchess. I believe she isn’t feeling well.”
“Evie? Oh, I must go to her.” Sam turned, but John placed a hand on her shoulder.
“I think your sister is capable. They will just freshen up before our wedding can take place and I… Well, I wanted to talk to you.”
“Oh.” Sam lowered her gaze.
He offered his arm, and they ventured onto a patio in silence.
John heaved a long sigh as soon as they stepped over the threshold. “Crowded ballrooms and tight spaces are not my favorite things in the world.”
“Evie loves it,” Sam whispered.
“Yes, it’s one of many reasons why we are not compatible. But it’s not the point, is it?Tonmarriages are rarely made based on compatibility.”
“Do you ever wish you could go back and marry Lady Clydesdale?” Sam voiced her sudden thought.Does he still love her?
John looked at her, startled. “No. Not even once. She is better off with her husband. On some level, I always knew that, and that’s why I never bothered to fight for her.”
Sam frowned in thought. “What did you want to tell me?” she finally asked him.
“I… I just wanted to say a proper farewell.”
Sam swallowed.
“In the short time since we met, I started appreciating our friendship more than you can ever imagine, and I hope we shall continue being friends after tonight,” he continued with a slight frown. “The truth is… Ever since I received your first letter, I’ve wanted to experience this. With you. To dance with you in a ballroom, to talk to you about your life. You saved my life, I hope you know that. And I shall always be grateful to you for that. I owe you my life.”
