Apprehension threaded through her as she left the room. What would she encounter when she reentered the ballroom? Were people already gossiping about her and how she’d disappeared from the ball for an hour? She honestly had no idea how long she’d been gone.

Taking a deep breath to fortify her anxiety, she walked into the ballroom and immediately looked for Lord Gregory. Before she could find him, Prudence bore down on her wearing an expression of what could only be described as extreme distress.

“Where have you been?” she whispered urgently, drawing Fiona away from anyone who might want to listen in on their conversation.

Fiona smiled. “Could you try to look less concerned and upset? I was, er, ill. I just came from the retiring room.” That much, at least, was true.

“You were gone a very long time after you disappeared from the ballroom following your dance with Lord Overton. Were you with him?”

“Yes.” There was no reason to lie, not to Prudence. “We are betrothed.”

Prudence grabbed her hand. “Truly?” At Fiona’s nod, she smiled broadly. Indeed, it was the happiest Fiona had ever seen her. “Then I am sorry for my behavior. Still, it was ill-advised to disappear. Your absence has been noted. You missed a dance with Mr. Arbuckle.”

“Blast. I will find him and apologize. But you must say you knew I was ill.”

“That won’t be difficult since that’s what I told him.” She arched a shoulder. “I had to say something.”

Fiona squeezed Prudence’s hand before letting it go. “Thank you. I don’t know how I would have survived these past weeks without your support. Now, I must find Lord Gregory and tell him I am in love with someone else.”

Prudence winced. “I don’t envy you. I think he’s on the other side.”

“Brilliant, thank you.”

“I’ll come with you.” Prudence linked her arm through Fiona’s. “Not when you actually speak with him, of course.”

They threaded their way to the other side of the ballroom, passing through one of the wide doorways into the men’s side. This was where the food was located along with some seating. Fiona saw him standing near the doors to the garden with another gentleman. She took her arm from Prudence’s. “Wish me luck.”

“Good luck.”

Fiona considered what she might say. None of it sounded right. But was there any right way to tell someone you didn’t return their feelings? Actually, she didn’t even know his feelings. Perhaps he would be relieved. Yes, she’d hope for that to be the case.

Lord Gregory saw her when she was still several feet away. He excused himself from the other gentleman and met her. “Miss Wingate, I trust you’re having a pleasant evening.”

“I am, actually. Might we take a stroll in the garden?” It wasn’t particularly warm out, but she wanted at least a modicum of privacy and the ballroom was quite stuffy, which only added to her discomfort.

“That would be delightful.” He offered her his arm and escorted her outside.