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Richard stood beside the Duchess in discussion, appearing relaxed and elegant. Others danced a quadrille, their gowns an assortment of vibrant colors. People mingled in groups discussing all manner of things, some casting inquisitive looks their way.
    “Hmm, yes.” Anita clicked her tongue. “See the lady arriving now, the one speaking to Lady Cottlestone?”
    Sarah nodded toward the doors. The young woman was extremely tall and very elegant. Her silk gown fell from a body made for a fashion runway. She was exquisite, but the distaste Sarah read on her face marred her beauty.
    “That is Lady Patricia Meyers, Lady Cottlestone’s goddaughter, and if the woman has her way, my cousin’s future wife.”
    Sarah narrowed her eyes. Beautiful she may be, but she certainly looked cold. “I assume you mean the Earl of Earnston is going to marry Lady Patricia?”
    Anita scoffed. “She hopes to. You see, before his death Lord William was betrothed to Lady Patricia. Their marriage was set for the end of this very season. But of course, the accident happened and … ”
    Sarah knew exactly what Anita meant. At the sound of the quadrille winding down, Sarah looked across the sea of dancers and met the surprised gaze of the earl himself. Heat washed across her skin from their last embarrassing meeting. How was she to talk to the man without falling at his feet and apologizing profusely for killing his brother? Or babbling like a fool due to his good looks. Sarah mentally chastised herself for being an idiot. What was she worrying about? No one knew their real identity and nor would they ever. If they kept to the plan, everything would work out fine.
    “I do not believe Lord Earnston has any intention of marrying just yet,” Lady Anita continued. “But Lady Patricia is determined and so, too, are my aunt and Patricia’s mother.”
    “So they’re not betrothed?” Sarah couldn’t blame the Earl for his decision. To marry your brother’s betrothed just because he died didn’t seem very romantic to her.
    “No. I feel for Patricia, though. It would be awfully difficult to see the new Lord Earnston about London and at all society events.”
    “Why?” Sarah asked.
    “They were twins, my dear. Had I not told you of this?”
    Sarah nodded, feeling a pang of sympathy for Lady Patricia. “I had forgot.”
    Lady Anita sipped her drink. “I will introduce you to Lord Earnston this evening, Sarah. I am determined he make amends for his behavior.”
    “I look forward to it, but I don’t want to be any trouble to his lordship,” Sarah said.
    “Nonsense, my dear. An introduction is no trouble.”
    Sarah inwardly cringed. Would the earl be rude or pleasant? She deserved the worst of his temper after what she’d put his family through. All of whom had no idea the woman gracing their ball was the late earl’s murderer.
    Including the earl. Sarah’s stomach churned with the thought.
    “Are you well, Sarah? Would you care for some air on the terrace?”
    “I do feel a little faint. Perhaps some fresh air will do me good.”
    Anita clasped her arm and led her outside toward the balustrade. The cool night air was a welcome reprieve from the heated ballroom. Sarah looked out on the extensive grounds. Crickets clicked and somewhere in the darkened foliage of the garden water trickled and flowed. She clasped the rough railing and took calming breaths until her stomach stopped churning.
    “Lady Anita, are you going to introduce me?” rumbled the same voice that had ordered her to stop on that horrible night. Her stomach reacted faster than her mind could.
    Yet tonight, instead of the hardened command, the voice was deep and rich, pouring over her like chocolate on her tongue.
    Lady Anita spun about. “Eric, you scared me. Don’t you know it is rude to sneak up on people?”
    “Forgive me, cousin.” He smiled, and Sarah once again reminded herself to close her mouth and calm her nerves. His lordships dark blue eyes took in her