Seth backed away and leaned on the wall next to Matthew. He watched Caroline and Duke Kendall, now on the other side of the room, engaged in conversation with Lord and Lady Stretton. Caroline had her back to them, but Duke Kendall glanced over and offered a wave.
Keeping his expression neutral, Matthew whispered to Seth, “Have you learned anything of Rothwell?”
“Nothing.” Seth shook his head. “But I’ve been trapped here all evening.”
Matthew couldn’t very well go searching for him, but he was in the mansion somewhere—he was certain of it. Vivian’s laughter carried to him, still near the punch bowl with Don Lorenzo. She was with Rothwell the night of the attack, and it seemed as though she had wished to say something then. Perhaps she would know his location? He doubted she would be willing to answer him, but it was worth the risk to ask.
“Keep both eyes on Caroline,” Matthew said to Seth.
Seth nodded. “Make haste.”
Matthew lightly squeezed Jasmine’s hand and pulled her to the side. “Promise me you’ll stay close to Seth, no matter what happens.”
“I will.” Her eyes met his tenderly. “Be careful.”
Swallowing his pride, Matthew parted through the crowd to speak to Vivian. Next to her, Don Lorenzo beamed at him.
“Lord Lincolnshire, you have a frown on your face,” he said. “Are you not enjoying the festivities?”
Matthew paid him no mind and addressed Vivian. “May I speak with you privately?”
She glared at him. “Is there something wrong with your eyes? I’m with a gentleman.”
He looked back and forth between Vivian and a widely smiling Don Lorenzo.
“Far be it from me to hold you back, Lady Ravenshaw.” Don Lorenzo bowed to her with a flourish. “We’ll speak later.”
Vivian’s eyes darted to Duke Kendall, her face drained of color and her lips pursed. “I shouldn’t.”
“Please. I only need five minutes.”
She clenched her hands into fists, and she huffed. “Fine.”
Not bothering to ensure he was following her, she pivoted and made her way through the crowd. Her steps struck hard on the carpet as she led him from the ballroom and down the hall. She stepped into a darkalcove and faced him.
“Five minutes, Lord Lincolnshire,” she hissed. “Best get on with it.”
“Do you know where Lord Rothwell is?”
Her eyes narrowed to slits. “Why should I tell you?”
“Because Caroline will be Duke Kendall’s new plaything if you don’t tell me where he is,” he ground out. “If he’s here, I need him to show his face tonight.”
She scoffed and turned away. In the low light, her face was ashen-white, thinly veiled by powder. And on her face was an expression Matthew had never seen before.
Fear.
“You know what Duke Kendall is planning, don’t you?” he whispered. “I don’t deserve to hang for a crime I didn’t commit. Lord Rothwell doesn’t need to die. And Caroline—” he choked. “If you ever cared for any of us at all, please…” He trembled and forced out the words, “Please help me, Vivian.”
Her lip quivered before she set it in a firm line. “There’s nothing I can do. He will only come after me next.”
Seconds ticked by in the silence between them. He couldn’t ask that of her, and she didn’t owe it to him.
“Answer me this one question,” he pleaded. “Is he alive?”
A group of gentlemen passed by, raucously laughing. Matthew stayed close to the wall. Vivian lifted her fan and said under her breath, “I haven’t seen him today.”
She rushed away from him, back to the ballroom, keeping her eyes downcast. Matthew placed his head in his hands, trying not to scream. Curse it all! He turned back into the hall and stumbled directly into Don Lorenzo. The other man skipped back a step and placed both hands behind him.