Read Shadowed by Sin for Free Online Page B

table holding a vase.
    Benedict grunted from the impact, recovered, and saw to her aid. “Are you hurt?”
    “No. I’m fine, Ben. Who bumped into you while rushing down the hall?”
    “I have no idea, but once I plant you in a respectable lady’s company, I have every intention of discovering who the bastard is.”
    Now it was her turn to comfort him, and while her touch stirred other emotions than comfort, he did not want to alarm her in any manner.
    “Do not fret. I promise not to create any trouble. You are deserving of an apology, and I will ensure you get one.”
    “Then there is no need to escort me. I will find my own way to the hall, as I am sure I can find my aunt from here.” She gritted her teeth and left him in the hall.
    What had he said to offend her? He started down the hall in the direction of where the gent headed, but not a single person could be seen; it was almost too quiet, not even a servant. He went to turn around, but the sound of something being thrown against a wall drew him further down the hall until he reached the open door of the library.
    A vase lay in a hundred pieces on the floor near a bookcase. How odd. This doesn’t appear to have fallen on its own. Who could have done this?
    Heavy, yet quick steps scurried away from the vicinity, but where to and from? The hairs on the back of his neck stood on end with the possibility that someone had either expected him to follow, or now moved away to watch him with malice. This visit began to grate on his nerves. If things did not improve, they would be leaving tomorrow instead of the weekend.
    He followed the corridor leading to the ballroom when he encountered his old friends.
    “We were wondering when we would see you again. I daresay, when were you going to tell us of your pending nuptials to that lovely creature that’s on the terrace right now?” Camden asked with the dashing smile he often used to charm the ladies.
    “I had every intention of doing so this evening. If you follow me, I will see to that matter right away,” Benedict said.
    “No rush. Come have a drink with us. Duncan is at the table over here. You may join your betrothed momentarily. So, what news do you bring from London? There’s been mad gossip about our families.”
    “Why do you seem so interested in what people have to say, Camden? You weren’t much for gossip to begin with.”
    “No; but seeing as there’s been more than one scandal I am interested in learning which one I will have to deal with first. I have only just come back, you see,” Camden said.
    Yes, he had heard that his friend had gone off to the West Indies. Lord only knew why. Perhaps hiding from debts was what ailed him, gambling what little money he had left, and whoring. In a small way, he was glad that the men had not changed much or he would think them ill, or worst yet, dying.
    “Am I correct that I saw Gabriel present?” Benedict asked.
    “You are. He left a little while ago to retrieve something from his room. It has been at least a quarter hour; he should be back anytime now.”
    Gabriel Warren had been the quiet one of the bunch, and very reserved. While he attended most of the men’s activities, he rarely took part. Not since Helen.
    Wait. Was not Helen the earl’s niece?
    “Before we join my fiancée, was Gabriel courting the earl’s niece?”
    Camden rubbed his chin before responding. “Now that you mention it, he did. No wonder the bastard has been unusually quiet tonight.”
    Benedict could not have imagined how unwelcome his friend would be in the home of a woman he courted.
    Henry continued. “Did they ever figure out how she died?”
    “No, they did not. In fact, I am certain the authorities suspected her brother, Edwin, but a lack of evidence threw that theory to the wind.” Cameron added.
    Music from the ballroom spilled out into the side room where they stood. Laughter filled the air while couples moved around them leaving the terrace. He spotted Estelle talking