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Her grandparents exchanged looks before Pops spoke. “You really need to lighten up, Eden. You’re as tight as an overwound clock.”
“You are, dear,” Mimi said. “We would never pass out harmful drugs to people—a little cannabis isn’t harmful. In fact, it is very medicinal.”
Eden sighed in exasperation. “Who did you give brownies to?”
“Just a few people that needed a little loosening up,” Pops said. “There was the couple who are getting married. Jasper and… Kelsey.”
“Jason and Kelly,” Mimi corrected. “But we only gave one to Jason, remember? Kelly was watching her weight so she could fit into her wedding gown.”
Pops snapped his fingers. “That’s right.” He winked at his wife. “Then you and I each had one, Doris.”
Eden calculated. “So that’s three, and with the two Grayson ate, and the one still in the bag, that makes six. Which means that only two are missing. Who are the other two people?”
“Lancelot!” Pops yelled as if he was a contestant on a game show.
“You’re right, Hammond,” Mimi said. “It was Lancelot and Queen Guinevere.”
“Okay. I want you to see if you can find this Jason and take him to the tent before he gets in trouble. Grayson is already in one of the reserved rooms. I’ll see if I can find Lancelot and the queen. Did you get their names?”
“I didn’t catch Lancelot’s,” Mimi said. “But Guinevere is Deirdre Beaumont, Olivia’s mother.”
Great.Her grandparents had drugged two Beaumonts in one night.
It wasn’t as easy as Eden thought to track down Lancelot and Deirdre Beaumont. The ballroom had gotten even more crowded, and she struggled to get through the mass of costumed people, let alone find anyone. She had about given up when she ran into Nash’s older brother.
She wouldn’t have recognized him if she hadn’t overheard him talking to the petite harem girl at his side. His voice had the same Southern flavoring that Nash’s did. But his was louder and more commanding.
“Tell me what’s going on, Livy. And don’t say ‘nothing.’ You’ve been watching the crowd like you’re waiting for something to happen all evening.”
“Really, Deacon,” she said, “there’s not anything going on. I just want to talk with Samuel about some new designs, and I can’t seem to find him.” She craned her neck. “I thought I saw him earlier, but I was mistaken. He’s coming as Hugh Hefner, not Lancelot.”
Eden stopped so suddenly she tripped over the long skirt of her dress and stumbled right into Deacon. He easily caught her and set her back on her feet.
“Are you okay?” he asked.
“Just clumsy,” she said as she brushed at her dress.
“Or perhaps a little too much champagne?” Deacon flashed a smile. It was similar to Nash’s, just not as mind-altering. “Deacon Beaumont.” He held out a hand. “And this is my wife, Olivia.”
Eden shook his hand. “Eden Huckabee.”
“Any relation to Doris and Hammond?”
“They’re my grandparents.”
“You’re kidding.” Olivia took her hand from Deacon’s. “What a pleasure to meet you, Eden. I used to live next door to your grandparents. My brothers-in-law still do.” She tipped her head. “Speaking of which… isn’t that the dress Grayson had made for his date?” Her eyes widened. “You’re Grayson’s date?”
“Actually… I was invited by Nash.”
Deacon and Olivia exchanged glances before Deacon spoke. “Really? And where is my brother?”
“I think he might’ve left. I can’t find him anywhere.”
Deacon’s eyes darkened. “He left you?”
“Not exactly. We really didn’t come as a couple.” Needing a way out of the conversation so she could catch Deirdre Beaumont, she improvised. “I’m sorry to rush off, but could you point me in the direction of the bathroom?”
“No need for that,” Olivia said. “I’ll be happy to show you.” Before Eden could decline the offer, she took her arm and pulled her away.
