He did his head in acknowledgement of her hands. "I suspect she was, but I did not see her in the ballroom or the courtyard. Indeed, I even asked if she were in the retiring room to no available." It had been a rather unpleasant moment realizing he'd have to essentially stalk the women's retiring room, so of course he'd drafted his cousin into it. She hadn't seen Mrs. Fawcett either, although she wasn't sure if she had even known who she was looking for.

"I believe she is till at the ball, but her maid will be happy to help, I'm sure."