The Charleston Chase (Phantom Knights Book 2) by Amalie Vantana

Author:Amalie Vantana [Vantana, Amalie]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: love, suspense, mystery, spies, action adventure, regency, romance 1800s
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 14

Jack

Arriving late for Sam’s ball was something that could not be helped. Leo and I had gone to meet Gideon and a man he thought could lead us to the Holy Order. The man never arrived, and by the time we returned and cleaned up, the house was stuffed to overflowing. Leo had been invited to attend the ball, and though he was reluctant, I brought him around.

As we made our way downstairs, I did not see Sam anywhere, or anyone else that I recognized. When Leo and I were passing the dining parlor, Leo halted, glancing from the ballroom to the dining parlor. He looked in need of strong refreshment that of which he would not receive at a ball. It was his first time attending a party as anything other than a servant, so I could not fault him when he excused himself saying he would find me.

Sam had shown me around his house my first night staying with him, so I had seen the ballroom. Sam had said that Charlotte saw to the decorating of the ballroom, transforming it into a garden to match the paintings on the wall. It was light, happy, and elegant.

As I was not a tall man, seeing over the heads of people was not possible, so I made slow work around the room until I came upon Rose seated on a chair against the south wall.

“Why, Mr. Martin, you arrive at last.”

I sat on the chair beside her, smiling. I liked Rose Eldridge. She was kind and beautiful and knew how to put people at ease. She reminded me of my mother, though I would never tell her so. I did not know her age, but she could not be many years my senior.

“Good evening, Mrs. Eldridge, and may I say you outshine the garden in which you are sitting.”

Rose looked behind her at the wall then smiled. “If you are searching for your sister, Sam escorted her home.” Rose looked away from me, fanning herself slowly.

“Allow me.” Taking her fan, I waved it before her. “Was Bess all right?”

Rose’s eyes rested on something across the ballroom. “Tell me, Mr. Martin, does that gentleman know your sister?”

I followed her gaze, and my hand immediately stilled. Andrew Madison. What the devil was he doing in Charleston and Sam’s house? “Unfortunately so.”

“One does overhear so many whispers, but, am I in the right that he is the man formerly betrothed to your sister?”

“Yes. If you will excuse me, Mrs. Eldridge, I believe I will go renew our acquaintance.” I snapped her fan shut and handed it back to her.

Rose raised her eyebrows at me and placed her hand on my arm. “Murder in a ballroom is not of our class, Mr. Martin.”

“It is fortunate then that I am not contemplating murder.” I stood, but before I could take a step, Charlotte was upon me.

“You, sir, are late.”

“Fashionably,” I said, bowing before her.

“Fashionably would have been an hour late, not three.” She flashed me a coy smile.

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