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“You’re such a lovely girl,” he told her. “Kind and caring, just like your mother.”

She managed to plaster an embarrassed smile on her face. “That’s very sweet of you, Sir Oswald.”

“Come along, my dear,” he said, taking her arm. “I want you to meet some of my acquaintances. Although, I daresay you will have been introduced to many already, given your mother’s commendably active role in society.”

“I’d be delighted to,” Alex said, but her fear spiked as she tried to figure out how to move her plan along and not get stuck talking with people Larissa’s ‘daughter’ should already know.

“Sir,” called a guard, stopping them from going any further. “Please allow me to scan the young woman’s ID before you continue.”

“That’s unnecessary, Quinn. Ally is no intruder,” Sir Oswald said.

“All the same, sir, for your guests’ piece of mind, I ask you to permit me to check,” the guard insisted.

“Be quick about it, then,” Sir Oswald said, clearly unimpressed.

“Your identification tag please, Miss,” the guard said to Alex, holding out his hand.

“Of course,” she said, brushing her hand along her side and frowning in mock-confusion. “I had it pinned to my dress right here. It was there just before… when—Oh! I must have left it in the bathroom. I took it off when I went to powder my nose.”

Alex held out the compact container of makeup that remained grasped in her hand as if to verify her words. At least she hadn’t dropped it in her fall down the stairs.

“Miss, you’ll have to come with me,” the guard said in a no-nonsense tone.

“Come now, Quinn,” Sir Oswald said. “I’m sure this is just a misunderstanding. Why don’t we both escort Ally back to the bathroom so she can retrieve her ID and ease your fears.”

“Sir, I’d prefer it if you would remain here with your guests,” the guard said.

“Fortunately for me, I don’t take orders from you,” Sir Oswald replied firmly.

“Your guest of honour will be arriving shortly,” the guard said.

“And if you cease stalling, then we’llallbe back in time to greet him,” Sir Oswald returned. “Now, lead the way, Quinn.”

Quinn must have realised he wasn’t going to separate Alex from the party’s host, so he abruptly turned and led the wayup the staircase. When they reached the top and began along the hallway, Alex had to quickly modify her original plan. Sir Oswald was exactly where she wanted him to be but she hadn’t counted on an armed escort. She just had to hope Skyla was in position and not still reading stories to Benjamin.

When Quinn opened the door and stepped into the bathroom, Alex felt some of the tension leave her body at the sight of the pillow resting on the bench beside the powder brush she’d left there. Skyla was ready and waiting, which meant that their plan just might work.

“It’s over there,” Alex said, pointing to the bench.

Quinn asked Sir Oswald to remain in the doorway and the host grudgingly agreed, ordering the guard to hurry up.

Alex stepped over to the bench. Her armed escort remained a few feet behind her, but she needed him to be closer.

“Oh, look, I left my powder brush here, too,” she said. “Silly me.”

She giggled as if it was the funniest thing in the world as she reached for the pillow.

“I see the brush, Miss,” Quinn said. “But I don’t see your ID.”

“It’s right here,” Alex said, gesturing for him to step closer.

He looked at her with narrowed eyes and raised his Stabiliser, edging forward.

Alex’s heart thudded in her chest and she prayed that the relaxant would be as fast-acting as it had been with Pip. She stepped towards the guard and deliberately staggered sideways, collapsing onto the ground at his feet.

“Ally?” Sir Oswald called from where he stood at the doorway to the bathroom. He made to move towards her but the guard held up a warning hand, so Sir Oswald remained where he was but in an irritated voice, he ordered, “Quinn, help her.”

“Miss?” the guard said cautiously, kneeling down in front of her.