Alexander heard some high-pitched giggles and saw his sister and Kirsty Thompson among a group of Annabelle’s friends. He turned to Elspeth. “Would you like some wine or champagne?”
“Actually, just some lemonade or water would suit me to start with. Maybe some wine with dinner,” she said.
“Lemonade it is.”
They walked through the double doors into a large anteroom off the ballroom where servants were pouring wine for guests. Tables ringed the room, and a large serpentine one stood at the center with a massive ice carving as the centerpiece. Tables were filled with shelled oysters, lobster tails, sliced lamb, petits fours, lemon tarts, chocolates and raspberries, and every kind of cake and sweet to be had. Staff were serving guests, many seated at the small tables scattered about the room.
It was everything Elspeth had ever imagined about a fancy ball and more. It was as if she were in a fairy story with a handsome prince. She could hear an orchestra tuning their instruments in the next room and turned to Alexander.
“This is all so very beautiful. The flowers, the food, the guests. No wonder your mother’s invitations are so sought after.”
“Where did you hear that?”
“Just from all the guests in line as we waited to come inside.”
“There really is only one guest I’m concerned about.”
“And who might that be?” she asked, smiling.
“Are you aiming for a compliment, Miss Thompson?” He grinned. “May I get you a plate with your lemonade?”
“No, thank you.” She took his arm to walk to the staff serving beverages.
There was something very special about Alexander Pendergast, and the looks she was getting from others as she walked, her arm entwined with his, confirmed that opinion. Men, young and old, nodded as he passed and swept a look to her. The women glanced discreetly from behind fans and gloved hands. A tall man standing in the doorway raised a hand, signaling to Alexander. He turned to her.
“Duty calls. I must see to what that gentleman needs. May I take you to your brothers and your aunt, or maybe your sister and mine?”
Alexander smiled but still managed to look intense and serious. She wondered what exactly that duty would entail, but it was early in the evening and he was a host here, as the son of the family, and there were hundreds of guests to attend to. She mustn’t be greedy.
“My brothers, yes, please.”
“What is it, Graham?”
“Please follow me, Mr. Pendergast. We need your help.”
Alexander followed his family’s head of security down a long hallway and turned to the door of a sitting room that was rarely used. He could not imagine what or who was behind the door, and it took him a moment to acclimate himself when he stepped inside.
“Mrs. Schmitt?” he asked as he walked farther into the room. She was seated on the end of a sofa, sniffling, and one of Graham’s men stood near her. When Alexander turned, he noticed there was another man stationed at the door. “Graham?”
“I had nothing to do with it!” Mrs. Schmitt said. “You must tell them, Alexander.”
“Nothing to do with what?” He glanced at Graham, who nodded to the man standing near her.
“Mr. Bamblebit?” Graham said.
“I was checking the room with all the flowers on the wall coverings that leads out to the patio with the roses.”
“The Garden Salon,” Alexander interrupted.
“Yes, sir. That is what your father called it when we were discussing this evening. Anyway, I was standing quite still in the shadows near the windows as I thought I saw someone in the gardens. I was just about to—”
“I don’t know why anyone is paying attention to this man!” Mrs. Schmitt said loudly. “Who is he to accuse me?”
“He hasn’t accused anyone of anything yet, Mrs. Schmitt.” Alexander looked up at Bamblebit. “Continue.”
“I was just about to go out to the gardens myself to see if there was anything amiss when she, Mrs. Schmitt, came into the room. She closed the door quietly and went to the buffet that sits against the wall. She opened one of the drawers and opened her purse, that one there, in her lap,” Bamblebit pointed, “and started to put things in it. I wasn’t sure what, and she won’t allow me to look in her purse.”
“Why would I allow this servant to look in my bag? Go back to the kitchens, where you belong,” she said dismissively and stood.
“Sit down, Mrs. Schmitt,” Graham said. His quiet command and steely gaze had her dropping back to her seat quickly.
“Mr. Pendergast.” She smiled sweetly. “Please get Mr. Schmitt for me. I’m not feeling well and would like to go home. I’m sure you don’t want your employer’s wife to be discomforted.”
“Let me see your bag, ma’am, and then we will have your husband fetched,” Alexander said and stretched out his hand.
She clutched the bag close to her. “There is nothing in my bag but my lip rouge and spare pins for my hair. My maid is slovenly and rarely gets it pinned properly.”
“Then you will not care if I look in it. I would not cause you embarrassment if there is something of a personal nature in the bag,” he said and reached a little closer.
She shrugged. “Fine, then. But don’t let that one ruffle through my things. It ain’t right.”
Alexander took the bag from her and heard a clink inside. His eyes met Mrs. Schmitt’s, but she was looking back at him as if she had not a care in the world. Alexander opened the purse and carefully pulled the contents onto the side table. Silver spoons and forks clanged against the glass top of the table.
Mrs. Schmitt gasped. “How in the world did those things get into my bag?”
“’Cause you put them there,” Bamblebit said.
“That’s outlandish! Wait until my husband hears about this! You’ll lose your position and won’t work again in the city!”
“Mr. Bamblebit, would you please fetch Mr. Schmitt?” Graham asked.
The man nodded and walked out of the room without a glance to Mrs. Schmitt.
“How do you explain my grandmother’s silverware and sugar bowl in your bag?” Alexander asked.
Mrs. Schmitt’s impressive and well-covered bosom rose and fell. “Well, of course that Bumble fellow did it! My husband has enemies, of which you are aware. Any of them would like to see him embarrassed.”
The door to the room opened, and the agent standing there moved to block Mr. Schmitt’s entrance. He stood aside on Graham’s signal.
Schmitt looked down at the items on the table beside his wife’s purse. “We have plenty of silver at home, Berta. What are you doing thieving here?”
Chapter 16
Elspeth was bewildered. Alexander had been so attentive, looking at her as if she were the only woman at the ball until he’d escorted her to James’s side. She’d dreamed about this evening for so many nights and daydreamed about it through so many afternoons that when it finally arrived, she felt as if she knew exactly what would happen. He would greet her at the door, smiling and focused on her alone. All true until that tall man had come for him. James said he was the head of the Pendergast family security. Alexander was needed. She understood that, but it didn’t make her feel any less neglected.