Ines buttered her toast with precise, deliberate movements. She didn't look up.
"He had to leave for something important," Ines replied calmly.
Rowan paused. "Leave? To where?"
"To the city," Ines said. "He received a letter yesterday. From his solicitor. A matter regarding... boundaries."
She looked at Rowan then. Her dark eyes held a message.
He is doing what you cannot.
"He will be back before the ball," Ines added. "He sends his regrets to Lady Farrington and Lady Celine."
Rowan understood immediately. Carcel had gone to investigate. He had gone to dig into the name "Hawksley." He would have at least informed him.
"Okay," Rowan replied. He took a sip of coffee to hide his relief. "I hope he resolves it."
"Oh, Carcel is very good at resolving things," Ines said with a small smirk.
Lady Celine turned to Delaney.
"Miss Kingsley," Celine said sweetly. "Mama said you were unwell yesterday. A headache?"
"Yes," Delaney said. "A migraine. I am prone to them."
