Slave to the Night (The Brotherhood 2)

Evelyn put her hands on her hips. "Grace is not a courtesan."

Elliot turned to Alexander. "What has Mrs. Denton done to deserve your wrath?" He imagined she'd have been nothing but charming, wishing nothing more than to express her thanks and gratitude for their generous hospitality.

"Is it not obvious?" Alexander opened his arms wide. "Why else would I be here all trussed up like a partridge. It is your fault for running off and leaving her alone."

Elliot followed Alexander's disapproving glare and Evelyn's look of affection and pride to the figure of Grace Denton, busily engaged in dancing the cotillion with Lord Dunn.

"What the blazes?" Elliot whispered through gritted teeth as his heart hit his ribs with all the force of cannon fire.

"Doesn't she look beautiful?" Evelyn mused. "Katie worked wonders with her hair."

With a brilliant smile and a burst of lively enthusiasm, Grace Denton and her partner followed the head couple through the set of elaborate steps. The first sparks of jealousy ignited, simmering beneath his composed facade and he swallowed in an attempt to shift the lump in his throat.

"Have you lost your mind?" Elliot focused his pent up frustration on Alexander. "She cannot be seen out in Society and assuming some believe she's a courtesan she is hardly suitable company for your wife."

"Don't you think I know that," Alexander spat. "I had to escort Evelyn inside and then go back and have a quiet word with Lady Fortescue. A little gentle persuasion and it appeared Caroline Rosemond had been invited after all. Lord Dunn was more than pleased to play escort, hence, the reason they are currently hopping about together."

"What does she hope to gain by it?" Elliot threw his hands in the air, feeling the need to do something other than stand there gaping.

"Oh, trust me. She has thought it all through." Alexander's words brimmed with sarcasm. "It appears the lady has composed a list of all potential villains and is keen to get to work on solving the mystery of her missing sister."

Evelyn leaned forward and whispered. "We found her sneaking out of the house. Her intention was to return home to Arlington Street to change before making her way here."

Offering an incredulous glare, Elliot asked, "Does she just expect one of the suspects to hold up their hands and admit to any wrongdoing?"

"Well, we've had a little breakthrough with the diary." Evelyn actually sounded excited. "And before we—"

"There's no we about it," Alexander said. "You're not helping her, Eve."

Evelyn shot him a determined look. "And what if Elliot had refused his assistance? Without the use of his carriage, you would have never reached me in time. Heaven knows what would have happened to me. And what if he had not found me in the forest—" She stopped abruptly and sucked in a deep breath.

Alexander took her gloved hand and brought it to his lips. "I do not care to be reminded." He turned to Elliot. "We will, of course, help in any way we can."

Elliot glanced back at the dancers, noting the more dissolute gentlemen hovering around the floor eager for a bit of sport. "I need to get her out of here. From a distance, people will assume she's Caroline, but once they speak to her it's obvious she's not."

>

"Her intention this evening is to speak with Mr. Hamilton," Evelyn informed him. "She wonders if the Markham is short for Marcus Hamilton."

Marcus Hamilton was a renowned rogue, but gambling was his love and Elliot could not imagine him wasting his time or effort on spiriting away a courtesan.

"Her sister mentioned the gentleman a few times in her diary," Evelyn continued. "Once Grace is convinced he played no part in her sister's disappearance we will move more towards my theory."

"Your theory?" Elliot asked trying to focus on the conversation. The dancers were leaving the floor, and he needed to keep watch of his quarry.

"That Caroline often used a few words to represent a time, person and place."

Elliot noticed Lord Dunn escort Grace over to converse with Marcus Hamilton and the muscles in his abdomen hardened in response.

"She is not safe here," he suddenly blurted. Guilt delivered another stab to his chest. He should have stayed with her. He should have known she would not snuggle up under the coverlet and leave it all to him. Although solving the mystery of Miss Rosemond's disappearance was not really on his agenda. In truth, Grace Denton was better off without her.

"Then you will need to persuade her to leave." Alexander took his wife's hand and placed it in the crook of his arm. "I assume you've got your carriage?" When Elliot nodded, he said. "Good. I will take Evelyn outside for a stroll in the garden while you talk to Mrs. Denton. Let's agree to meet at the end of the street in thirty minutes."

"Agreed," Elliot said. He gave a loud sigh. "Well, I suppose I had better go and round up the wolf."

Alexander smiled. "I have a feeling she might growl a little and flash her teeth."

"But mine are sharper," he whispered. "And far more lethal."