She hated parties. Or maybe it was just the idea of being surrounded by strangers that made her so ill at ease. Unfortunately, nearly everyone in London was a stranger, but she was determined to start changing that. For Frederick’s sake.
With a straight spine and long strides, she walked toward the house, where another footman waited beside the open door.
She was greeted in the entry by a properly stoic butler. After taking her cloak, he led her to the drawing room, where nearly two dozen people had already gathered. As her arrival was announced, Lord Shelbourne stepped forward with a charming smile to bow elegantly over her hand.
“My dear Lady Katherine, how delightful to have you with us this evening.”
Despite the strain she struggled to contain beneath a poised façade, Katherine smiled back. “Thank you so much for the invitation, my lord. It has been a long time since I’ve had an opportunity to enjoy a little social discourse.”
The gentleman scanned over her shoulder with a look of concern. “Have you no escort, Lady Katherine?”
She lifted a brow. “I hope that isn’t a problem.”
“No worries, my dear. We are all friends here,” Shelbourne replied smoothly as he turned her toward his guests. “I shall introduce you around. Everyone is anxious to make your acquaintance.”
Apparently, her drive through the park with Hale and the subsequent mention in the gossip pages had garnered more attention than she’d expected. After almost an hour, Katherine felt overwhelmed by the names and faces she’d need to remember, and she realized she was starting to run out of small talk.
As though sensing her fatigue, Shelbourne leaned close to whisper gently, “Just a few more introductions, my dear, then you’ll be free to mingle as you wish.” He led her toward an older gentleman who awaited their approach with an open smile. “Lady Katherine, may I present a dear friend, Lord Emsworth. He has been especially anxious to meet you,” Shelbourne added with a smile.
It was all Katherine could do not to tense and flinch at the name. Lord Emsworth proved to be a man of later years with silver hair and heavy brows who wore small round spectacles over eyes so dark they appeared black. As he gave a respectful bow, Katherine gathered her composure enough to offer a polite smile and nod. “A pleasure to meet you, my lord.”
The words nearly stuck in her throat.
“A delight, Lady Katherine,” Emsworth replied smoothly. His voice was measured and soft. Almost oddly soft. “Although I never met your father, we conversed a few times through the post. His death was a tragic loss of a great mind.”
Alarm sparked hot along her nerves, but she forced herself to recall that they had no proof this man had any connection to their father’s death or the kidnappings. Only speculation. If he was behind it, she could not risk giving away their suspicion now.
“Thank you, my lord,” she answered. “Have you great interest in herbalism?”
His pale lips spread into a controlled smile. “My interests are directed more toward exploration, but a few of your father’s studies on rare flora made their way to my attention.”
“Lord Emsworth has been a patron to a great many of our age’s recent discoveries,” Shelbourne offered.
Katherine forced a smile. “How admirable.”
Emsworth gave a shallow bow of his head in a gesture of humility that made Katherine’s stomach turn. When a footman appeared at her elbow with a tray of champagne, she accepted a glass gratefully.
“It helps to be truly passionate about the work,” he replied. “I imagine you witnessed the same in your father’s dedication.”
“Yes. Father was quite devoted.”
“If you’ll excuse us, Lord Emsworth, I must introduce my young guest to the Lord and Lady Drennan.”
“Of course. Enjoy your evening, Lady Katherine.”
“And you, my lord,” she replied as Lord Shelbourne escorted her toward a nearby couple.
Nearly twenty minutes later, her anxiety and awareness of Lord Emsworth’s presence had not eased. Though she stood talking with an effervescent trio of ladies near her age, she could not keep herself from throwing wary glances toward the man. Not that she expected him to do anything, even if he was their anonymous enemy. They were in the middle of a party, after all.
Despite the fact that his behavior appeared utterly common, the frisson of alarm he’d inspired never left her. In fact, it continued to expand until she started to feel watched from every angle. As though she was a sheep surrounded by unseen wolves slowly closing in. Part