Page 63 of A Torn Allegiance
“But did you read what the letter said?” Elsie asked.
Lady Sophie shook her head. “I skimmed it quickly. Except for the normal pleasantries at the start of a letter, I saw only a few things—perhaps the wordFrance.”
Elsie’s shoulders slumped. “I saw that as well. Do we know who it is from?”
Lady Sophie’s expression seemed concerned for a moment.
“Tell me.”
“I can’t be certain, but I think perhaps it’s from Scotland.”
“Scotland?” Elsie held a hand to her heart. “Why would he be corresponding with someone in Scotland?”
“Perhaps I’m mistaken. And I thought I might have seen something about sheep. This is terrible, really—all these assumptions.”
Elsie’s mind spun over all the details as she tried to make sense of each one. The Duke of Sumter approached, and then Elsie lost the assistance of her friend. She wasn’t certain what more to do to unravel the mystery as Prince Hayes walked farther away, deep in thought, and her best friend linked arms with her new beau.
Prince Hayes joined his two brothers, and the three looked serious indeed.
The event in the park was turning into quite the success, as more seemed to show up by the second until the area around St. James’s was full of possibly every member of thetoncurrently in London. A group walked into Elsie’s line of sight, blocking her view of Prince Hayes. Lord Tenney approached, and Elsie wanted to duck to avoid him, but she had nowhere to hide but in the low hedges, and those wouldn’t do. She had nothing against Lord Tenney—he was nicer than most—but she did not want to be encumbered by his presence, especially as the group blocking her sight of Prince Hayes had cleared at last.
Admiral Hollings approached Prince Hayes, and the conversation between the men became, if possible, more serious.
Lord Tenney tried to engage her in amiable conversation. Elsie hardly heard a word he said to her, but he seemed pleased enough by her.
Soon the brothers broke off, Marc walking with the admiral. Elsie had expected Prince Hayes to return to her, but instead, he slipped through a nearby hedge.
She immediately moved to follow him.
“Lady Elsie?” Lord Tenney’s confused and shocked expression gave her pause.
“I’m terribly sorry. I just remembered something I’ve... dropped. Allow me to fetch it, and I shall return.”
“I will assist. Please allow me to help you find it.”
By his earnest expression, it appeared he would not easily be dissuaded, and she wasn’t certain what to do with the man.
“Oh, thank you. It’s a lovely bracelet with a clasp that just doesn’t want to stay fastened.” How could that lie fall so easily from her lips? She shook her head.
She stood as tall as she could and saw no more of Prince Hayes. “Do you see anyone on the other side of that hedge?”
Lord Tenney, who was considerably taller, stood on his toes and then shook his head. “No, not a soul. Did you lose it near the hedge?”
“I was standing even closer to it a moment ago.” She sighed. “Perhaps now is not the time to go searching for bracelets after all. It is so small and the park so large.”
“We can find it. If we employ others in the hunt, they will be all the more helpful.”
Elsie wasn’t certain how to dissuade Lord Tenney from his gentlemanly ways. Before she could stop him, he approached the nearest group of guests. “We have a dilemma. Perhaps we could turn it into a game.” He then explained about the fictional lost bracelet and indicated the general direction. “Whoever finds the bracelet gets a prize, I would think.” He turned back to Elsie. “Wouldn’t you think?”
“Absolutely. Thank you.” She really wanted to rush away and slip through the hedge herself. Prince Hayes was out there doing something—she knew not what—and saying things she couldn’t hear, and something told her they were important.
“Excellent. Shall we begin?” Lord Tenney led her toward the hedge.
And word spread. Elsie glanced over her shoulder as ladies in fine dresses peered down at the ground around them, then continued toward the opening in the hedge.
“Did you walk through here?” Lord Tenney eyed her person and the opening.
“Not yet, but I was very near.” She faced Lord Tenney. “Perhaps I flung my arm in conversation.” She threw her arm out for emphasis and hit something solid. “Oh! Oh my.” She turned.
