“I’m afraid it’s worse than that. But I can’t discuss it. I need to find Blackmoor.”

Freddie’s tone turned dark and menacing. “Has the rogue done something to hurt you?”

The question would have amused Alex in the past, but this evening she ignored him, waving a hand in frustration. “No. I just need to find him. Help me?”

“I’ll lay him out if he’s done something inappropriate.”

“Freddie. Stop being such a brute and help me. All right?” He nodded once, although he didn’t seem happy about it. “Capital. Go that way,” she said, indicating the direction of the orchestra. “If you see my brothers, or Vivi, or Ella, ask them to help find him. It’s a matter of great import.”

She started in the opposite direction, but he took hold of her arm and stayed her for a moment. “What’s going on, Alex?”

“I—I can’t tell you now. Please?” Her green eyes pleaded with him. “Please help?”

He locked gazes with her for a brief moment, as if attempting to read her thoughts. Something in her eyes must have convinced him. With a nod, he spun on his heel and disappeared into the crowd. She watched him go for a brief second, admiring his loyalty, before turning to find Blackmoor.

Only minutes later, she came upon Vivi and Ella, who had their heads bent in what looked like a serious discussion…or serious gossip. Alex approached them from behind, slipping her arms through theirs and interrupting, “Thank God I’ve found you. I need your help.”

Both girls looked up at her in surprise before Vivi replied, “We’ve been looking for you everywhere! What happened out there? You looked like Blackmoor had said something awful, the rogue! Are you all right?”

“He did say something awful. However, that is all quite irrelevant now, as something much worse has come to pass. I need to find him.”

“What kind of something much worse?” Ella spoke, concern in her blue eyes.

“I can’t take the time to explain right now.”

“Not even to us?” Vivi looked hurt.

“Not to anyone. I promise you’ll be the very first to know…after I find Gavin. Which I must do. Immediately.”

“Alex…” Vivi spoke with a warning tone in her voice.

“No. Vivi.” Alex slashed a hand through the air. “I am asking you for help. I will tell you everything later. I promise. Please, help me find him.”

“He left.” This from Ella.

“What? Why? Where did he go?” Alex turned and grasped her friend’s arms with both hands.

Ella gave Alex a startled look. “He left soon after you disappeared. Said something about balls not being the best places for him this season.”

“Did he say where he was going?”

“No. Although he left through the gardens, so I assume he went home.”

“I have to follow him.”

“I beg your pardon?” Vivi and Ella spoke in unison.

“I told you, I can’t explain. There’s no time. You have to help me. I’m going out through the gardens. If anyone asks, tell them I had a fallen hem and went to have Eliza repair it.”

“Wait. Are you all right, Alex?” Vivi looked concerned.

“I’m all right. Just do this for me? Oh…and find Freddie. Tell him thank you, I found Blackmoor.”

“This is becoming more and more curious as the moments pass,” said Ella.

“Alex, you can’t just go traipsing off to Blackmoor House after him. You’ll be ruined if you’re caught!”

“I’ll simply have to risk it,” Alex said, wishing she had time to savor their confusion. “I’ll tell you everything upon my return. I promise.” She kissed them both on the cheek. “Oh. And if I don’t return in three quarters of an hour, tell your father where I went, Vivi.”

“What?!”

“I’ll be fine. It’s just a precaution.”

“What kind of precaution involves my father?”

“I’ll tell you everything upon my return,” she repeated. And, with that, she exited the room, making her way to the music room, which had an entrance to the gardens that offered a better chance of her not being caught in her escape.

Rushing though the dark garden that connected Worthington and Blackmoor houses, Alex did not take any time to think about what she would do if she were to interrupt a dreadful event. Instead, she thought only of Gavin: his grey eyes the color of the winter sea; his bold smiles that heated her very core; his generous spirit. Thinking of him focused her mind on one thing…she had to reach him before anyone else.

As she broke through the trees and found herself in the Blackmoor House garden, she pulled up short and inspected the house. She could see dimly lit windows on the upper floor, reserved for servants, but the rest of the home was dark, appearing uninhabited and forbidding.

She was just deciding how to enter the house when she sensed movement nearby. Falling back to press herself against a tree and blend in with the shadows, she watched as a small, dark figure crept across the back garden toward the window she knew led to the Earl of Blackmoor’s study. She focused intently on the figure, attempting to identify him. Try as she might, she couldn’t make out his face, although his physique seemed vaguely familiar. She watched in surprise as he worked the latch on the window, quickly unlocking it from the outside and lifting the sash, pushing it open.

It was clear that he was breaking into the house. It was also clear that she had to do something to stop him.