Page 101 of My Wicked Earl

Colin went to speak to her brother, declining a passing servant’s offer of wine with a grimace.

“You were gone quite a long time.” Alex took in Miranda’s appearance.

“The ribbon on my slipper came loose and needed a stitch to repair it.”

“I didn’t realize the Earl of Kilmaire had a way with a needle.” Her sister-in-law raised a brow. “What talents he possesses.”

“It’s not the same as being read Shakespeare, I suppose,” Miranda reminded her sister-in-law of the way in which Sutton and his wife often excused themselves in the evening.

“Mmph.” Alex puffed a curl off her cheek.

“I fear Lady Dobson means to betroth her niece to Lord Carstairs,” Miranda pointed discreetly with her fan to Miss Lainscott, who smiled wanly as the dimwitted lord twirled her about. “I do hope it’s not true, for Margaret’s sake, though Carstairs does seem to be nice enough, which makes up for his lack of intelligence. And he is attractive.

“If you say so,” Alex replied. “I still do not buy Sutton’s excuse that Lord Welles was traveling only with Carstairs to look at a hunting lodge. There is something not quite right there though I cannot put my finger on it.”

“You’re overly suspicious I think. Is Lady Gwendolyn lost? She appears to be.” Miranda nodded towards a lovely ash-blonde who meandered about the edges of the room rather aimlessly, apparently searching for someone.

“I would imagine she’s looking for Rowan. Lady Marsh is hoping for a match between the two. He’s yet to arrive.” Alex tilted her head. “You did,” she lowered her voice, “hear the latest about Lady Helen?”

Miranda pressed a gloved hand to her mouth to keep from laughing out loud. Lord Ridley and Lady Helen Cottingham had married in some haste not long after the ill-fated house party. Apparently, Miranda was not the only woman who welcomed a man to her chambers at Gray Covington.

“Yes. I understand she’s become quite plump while Ridley gambles away her fortune.”

“My lady.” A discreet inquiry sounded from behind Alex.

Alex and Miranda turned to find Zander, who’d been brought to Cambourne House for the express purpose of the ball, bowing to them both.

“A note has arrived from Lord Malden.” He held out a silver plate bearing the missive.

“I bet Rowan is sending his regrets, if only to escape Lady Gwendolyn for the evening.” Alex smiled and picked up the note. “How odd. Are you sure this isn’t from His Grace?

Miranda caught sight of the Dunbar coat of arms against the missive. “That’s Nick’s personal stationery.”

“Yes, my lady. I was to deliver it to Lord Cambourne, but he is not in the ballroom.”

Alex looked to the spot Sutton and Colin had been only a moment ago and shook her head. “Gone to smoke a cheroot I suppose. Very well, as I said, it’s probably Rowan apologizing for not attending tonight, though I’m not certain Nick would approve the use of his stationary. Thank you, Zander.”

The butler bowed and disappeared as silently as he’d arrived.

“I don’t blame Rowan” Miranda said behind her fan. “Lady Gwendolyn, while certainly lovely, is a bit bland.”

Alex smiled in agreement and tore open the note.

“Rowan, I think, would prefer a more intelligent woman for a wife. Don’t you agree? I’ve always thought he harbored an affection for Arabella. There is something in the way he looks at her.”

Alex remained fixated on the missive she held. “We must find Sutton and Colin.”

“Alex? What’s wrong?”

Miranda’s sister-in-law looked up at her, all gaiety gone from her face.

“Arabella has gone missing.”

“What do you mean, missing?” Miranda immediately feared the worst had happened to her dearest friend. The roads from Wales to London could be treacherous, especially in bad weather. The coach could have thrown an axle, or the horses gone lame.

“I mean she’s been taken.” Alex began to move purposefully towards the terrace where Sutton and Colin must be.

Miranda followed closely at her heels, her hands shaking with fear as she rushed to keep up with Alex. “You mean kidnapped?”

“Yes,” Alex took Miranda’s hand. “Lady Cupps-Foster was escorting her niece back to London. When the Dunbar coach stopped to change horses Arabella disappeared. She’s been taken. And Rowan has gone after her.”