by Joyce Alec
Nothing was said for some moments with the quiet crackling of the fire being the only sound. Juliet looked toward Lord Strickland, who was watching the footman with hard eyes, his jaw working furiously and his eyes narrowed. She did not want to tell him what to say or what to do but silently prayed that he would realize, as she had done, that this footman had not been eagerly participating in the attack upon his life. She could well understand the fear that must have entered the man’s heart upon hearing that everything he knew, everything that was a security for him, would be pulled away in a moment.
“The vial.”
Lord Strickland’s words were quiet and filled with a wrath Juliet could well understand.
“The vial,” he said again, a little more loudly. “Where is it?”
The footman stared at Lord Strickland for a moment as though he was entirely unaware of what the man was saying, only to give himself a slight shake and begin to fumble about in his pockets. Juliet caught her breath as a small, clear vial was brought out and handed directly to Lord Strickland, making her heart quail for a moment as she saw Lord Strickland open the top and take a sniff, wrinkling his nose as he did so.
“It appears you have failed in your task,” he said, looking back at the footman. “I am meant to be grievously ill now, am I not?”
Again the footman spread his hands. “I do not know, my lord,” he said helplessly. “I have no knowledge of what was in that vial, nor did I even imagine what the consequences might be. Instead, I simply did as I was asked.”
“Then how was this fellow—the one with the knife to your neck—meant to know that you had succeeded?” Lord Strickland asked as the footman’s eyes widened. “How could he be certain that you had done as you were instructed?”
The footman stared back at Lord Strickland without answering, leaving Juliet to glance from Lord Strickland to Mrs. Grey and back again, quickly coming to the very same conclusion as they, given the expressions of understanding on their faces.
“Then he is present this evening,” Juliet said softly as Lord Strickland nodded tersely. “That is the only way he could be certain of the success of it all. He would be watching closely, making sure that you did as you were instructed and thereafter, watching Lord Strickland for the after-effects of imbibing whatever is within that vial.”
The footman dropped his head. “I am sorry, my lord,” he muttered heavily. “I did not know what it would do to you, but I couldn’t allow myself to be removed from my position here.”
“I believe you,” Juliet found herself saying as Lord Strickland turned to her, his eyes narrowed. “It does not excuse what you have done but it can certainly bring a little understanding as to why you did such a thing.” Glancing at Mrs. Grey, she found herself frowning suddenly. “Given that there is someone here expecting you to have collapsed to the ground, Lord Strickland, I do not know what would be best to do.”
Lord Strickland moved away from the second door and came toward them, not even glancing at the footman.
“You are dismissed,” he barked, and, like a small, terrified child, the footman scrambled away, his head held low and his whole body seeming to shrink as he passed them. Juliet wanted to say something of comfort to him but knew she could not.
“You are correct, Lady Juliet,” Lord Strickland said slowly. “There will be someone present who will be looking for something to occur with me. Something that they can then congratulate themselves upon, in the belief that they have managed to achieve their aim.”
“But you are not as they expect,” Mrs. Grey pointed out. “You are quite well. Juliet was quickly able to discern the cause of your pain and thus, you drank nothing more from the brandy.”
“The brandy which will, I am sure, have been disposed of by now,” Juliet added, knowing that Lord and Lady Richmond would not simply have held it back for them.
Lord Strickland rubbed at his forehead. “I could continue on as I am and, in doing so, prove to the person responsible that I am not unwell as they had hoped. Or…” He trailed off, tilting his head and twisting his lips for a moment, his brow furrowing hard. “Or I could make quite certain that they believe that they have achieved what they wish, in the hope that either yourself, Lady Juliet, or Mrs. Grey, or Lord and Lady Richmond are able to identify the gentleman present who has been carefully watching me.”
“That seems like an impossible task,” Mrs. Grey remarked, sounding anxious. “There are so many guests.”
“Therefore, with a brandy in my hand, I shall walk from one room to the next, slowly and with great care,” Lord Strickland continued, warming to his plan. “We shall walk together, in fact. Lord and Lady Richmond can watch carefully, for surely the person responsible will have to join me in whatever room I step into, simply to make certain that I am drinking the poisoned brandy.”
“And to watch for your reaction,” Juliet added slowly, her eyes widening just a little. “It is certainly an idea, Lord Strickland, but what if it does not succeed?”
“It is better than doing nothing,” Lord Strickland replied with a lift of one shoulder. “If I remain as I am, then the evening’s plan will have failed and the gentleman will only try again, albeit in an entirely different manner. Is it not best to try and discover them now?”
Juliet nodded, finding agreement in his planned actions and, thus, she found herself walking back along to the library, her hand again on Lord Strickland’s arm and Mrs. Grey behind them. Lord Strickland walked purposefully, his intentions determined, and Juliet could not help but feel a little anxious. Anxious that she would not be able to do as he hoped in watching for anyone who might take great notice of Lord Strickland’s health, that she would fail in her playacting when it came to Lord Strickland’s feigned illness. That nothing would come of it and that they would have to depart this evening without having any awareness of who was behind it all.
“Strickland!”
Lord and Lady Richmond were still in the library, the glass of offending brandy still sitting on the small table to Lady Richmond’s right. They looked with wide eyes toward Lord Strickland, clearly hoping that he had found success in his endeavors with the footman.
“I must have another brandy,” Lord Strickland murmured, having quickly told Lord and Lady Richmond of their intentions. “But I cannot be seen to have requested it.”
“No matter,” Lord Richmond replied, handing his own, half-drunk glass to Lady Richmond before quickly catching the attention of a footman and requesting another one. He gave Juliet a small smile. “You have done very well this evening, it seems, Lady Juliet,” he said kindly. “I do hope Lord Strickland is grateful to you for what you have done.”
Heat rose in her cheeks. “He has been, of course, very grateful,” she said, fully aware that Lord Strickland was beside her, “but that is not of importance at present. We must begin to make our way from the library and then to the drawing room. We cannot linger for too long.”
Lord Strickland cleared his throat and nodded, waiting until Lord Richmond had been given another glass of brandy, and then reached for the glass of poisoned brandy, which was sitting on the table, waiting for him to do so. With a small clearing of his throat, he took the brandy from Lord Richmond and then handed him the poisoned one, which was then swapped with the one Lady Richmond held.
“I will make certain to have this removed,” Lady Richmond said quietly as Juliet looked on. “The gentleman will not be watching us, and certainly will not take any notice of a lady who sets down a glass upon a footman’s tray.”
“It could be any gentleman,” he said as Lord and Lady Richmond nodded fervently. “They will, we hope, come to join us in whatever room we attend, wanting to make quite certain that I have drunk whatever concoction they believe is in this glass.”
“And when it comes time for your dramatic illness, then we shall all watch carefully for those who hurry toward you,” Mrs. Grey remarked, but Juliet shook her head.
“No,” she disagreed. “We must watch for whomever
it is that lingers behind, staying away from it all but making certain to watch it without fear. They will not rush forward, not wanting to be seen, but will, I think, remain a little further away.”
Lord Strickland looked at her steadily for a moment or two before he smiled, making the heat in Juliet’s face rise back up in an instant.
“You are very wise indeed, Lady Juliet,” he said quietly. “Then yes, you and Mrs. Grey will remain close to me, watching those who draw near, but Lord and Lady Richmond, might you do as Lady Juliet has suggested?”
They agreed without hesitation and thus, there was nothing to do but begin to carry out their plan. With a small smile placed gently on her lips, Juliet took Lord Strickland’s arm and, together, they began to walk.
“I fear, Lady Juliet, that your eagerness to remain quite unacknowledged by the beau monde will not be successful today,” Lord Strickland murmured as they walked together. “I am aware that you did not want to be noticed, did not want the ton to believe that I am showing a particular interest in you, but I fear that it may be too late now.”
She did not quite know what to say to this, looking at him for a long moment before finally allowing herself a small smile.
“I think that my desires are not what is of the greatest importance at present, Lord Strickland,” she told him, suddenly very aware that there would be many of the guests watching them walk together, having forgotten entirely about the rumors that would then be spoken about them both should she linger in his company. It seemed of such little consequence now that she knew the truth. “We must try to do all that we can in order to keep you safe from those who wish to harm you.” Her brows furrowed. “Might I ask if you know what is within that vial?”
Lord Strickland shook his head. “I do not,” he said honestly, “but it is offensive to smell, certainly. I shall, of course, ask an opinion of someone who might identify it better than I, but I cannot make any particular guess at present.”
“It is all a little frightening, in one way,” Juliet admitted. “To know that there is someone within the beau monde who is desperately trying to injure you in some way must be rather horrifying.”
“I do not know why they would wish to do such a thing,” Lord Strickland told her with a shake of his head. “I do not believe that I have ever done a great wrong to anyone.” A grimace tugged at his lips. “Unless you count the many young ladies I have evidently sorely disappointed due to my lack of interest in them—and their mothers also.”
Juliet could not help but smile, her worries alleviated for only a moment. “I hardly think any of them would wish to injure you so.”
“You have not met all of them,” he retorted, making her laugh as they walked into the music room. “But yes, I shall agree with you on that point, at least. I do not believe that there is any real threat from any such young lady or her mother. Although who else it might be, I cannot imagine.”
Juliet hesitated. “Might I ask if there is someone within your family line who would inherit, should the worst happen to you?” Her question burned on her lips, her heart pounding furiously as she began to worry that she had insulted him by asking such a question. “I am not trying to suggest that there could be someone within your family line responsible, only to make the suggestion that—”
“It is a wise question,” Lord Strickland interrupted, making her catch her breath with relief. “Pray, do not worry.” His brow furrowed as they continued to walk slowly through the room, with Juliet entirely unaware of the many glances that were being sent in their direction, given just how much she was focused on Lord Strickland. He did not speak for a few more minutes but, when he did so, there was a heaviness about his words that spoke of a troubled heart.
“There is a cousin who would inherit,” he said eventually. “But I have made certain that, due to my significant wealth, none within my family—my extended family—are left without. He is wed, settled in a fine house, and has borne two children already. He has an excellent living and, from what I understand, is very contented. I have never once thought him eager to claim the title, for he has shown no such interest.”
“I see,” Juliet murmured, relieved to hear such a thing. “Then we must surmise that there is someone set against you for entirely their own purposes.”
Lord Strickland sighed heavily. “Purposes that I do not, as yet, fully understand,” he replied, taking another sip of his brandy before making for the door. “Shall we make our way to the drawing room?”
She nodded, feeling a slight tension rising within her. “It is there that you will…?”
Glancing across at her, Lord Strickland nodded, a glimmer of a smile playing about his mouth and a warmth in his eyes that she had never seen there before. “There, we shall begin our little performance, Lady Juliet,” he answered, lifting his brandy glass as though to toast their success. “Let us hope that something remarkable will come from it.”
8
Duncan let out a groan as he lifted his head from the back of the chair where he had been resting. The butler immediately began to apologize for disturbing him, but Duncan shook his head and beckoned him in.
“Lady Juliet, Mrs. Grey, and Lord and Lady Richmond are settled in the drawing room,” he told Duncan, who nodded quickly and then immediately winced. Last evening’s fall to the floor, accompanied with whatever effects had lingered due to the poisoned brandy he had drunk, had left him with a rather painful head.
“I will join them at once,” he said, rising from his chair. “Refreshments have been brought, I presume?”
“Yes, my lord,” the butler murmured, and Duncan rose from his chair and made his way to the door which the butler held open for him. “Excellent,” he said, garnering a small smile from the butler. “Now, recall that we are not to be disturbed until their time here is at an end.”
The butler inclined his head. “But of course,” he said quietly as Duncan nodded and then strode along the hallway to the drawing room.
Stepping inside, he was immediately greeted by Lord and Lady Richmond, Mrs. Grey, and Lady Juliet, who all rose to their feet at once with equal words of concern flying from their lips as he entered.
“I am quite all right,” he assured them, a broad smile spreading across his face at the concern in each and every face. “Did my acting last evening convince even you?”
Lady Juliet flushed just a little, looking away from him as she sat back down. “I think you did very well last evening, Lord Strickland,” she replied as the others took their seats again. “Everyone was very concerned for you, certainly.”
“And the fact that they had to practically lift you to your carriage was an excellent addition,” Lord Richmond grinned, clearly no longer as concerned about Duncan’s state of health. “You did very well indeed.”
Duncan chuckled and rose to pour himself and Lord Richmond a whisky.
“I have had enough of brandy for the moment,” he quipped as he handed a glass to Lord Richmond. “And please, Lady Juliet, you are more than welcome to pour the tea for yourself and the other ladies.” Sitting down, he let out a long, contented sigh, looking with a sense of great gladness and relief toward Lady Juliet. “Might I say again, Lady Juliet—for I do not believe that I made it particularly clear last evening—that I am profoundly grateful to you for your wisdom and insight. Had you not made the association between the striking pain in my head and the brandy, then I am sure I would not have noticed at all and certainly would have drunk the full measure, simply so as not to appear rude.”
Lady Juliet smiled back at him, although her face held a little more color than usual. “You are most welcome,” she said softly.
“You did very well, Lady Juliet,” Lady Richmond replied, making Lady Juliet look down at the floor with evident embarrassment. “And I believe, Lord Strickland, that your performance last evening has brought us a little insight.”
This piqued Duncan’s interest almost at once. “Oh?”
“There were three gentlemen who went after
you and Lady Juliet as you made your way through the house,” Lord Richmond said, his expression now grave. “We could not be sure of their motives and, indeed, some might have been entirely unaware of their actions, but the three gentlemen all stood at the back and watched what was occurring, although all with equal expressions of horror.”
“Which might very well have been nothing more than an act, just as yours was, Lord Strickland,” Mrs. Grey said quietly. “Might I ask the names of these gentlemen?”
Lord Richmond nodded. “Of course. There was the Earl of Redford, Viscount Haverstock, and Viscount Brookmire.”
Duncan frowned. “I do not believe I am at all acquainted with the latter,” he said slowly, searching his memory. “The Earl of Redford is a well-established acquaintance, however, and Viscount Haverstock I have known since last Season.”
“And neither of them hold any grudge against you?” Lady Richmond asked as Duncan shook his head. “Then I suppose we must consider all of them.”
“I suppose we must,” Lady Juliet agreed quietly, studying Duncan with a careful eye. “Although how are we to surmise if they have anything against you, Lord Strickland?”
No one said anything for a moment and then, much to Duncan’s surprise, Lady Richmond flew from her chair, her eyes bright and her hands clasped together.
“You must do it, Lady Juliet!” she exclaimed, beginning to pace up and down before them all. “Do you not see? You have been seen on Lord Strickland’s arm. Everyone noticed it last evening and, no doubt, the ton will be speaking of it today. Therefore, it would be natural for his name to come up in conversation between you and whoever else you wish to discuss it with…say, Lord Haverstock or Lord Redford.”
“Yes, indeed,” Mrs. Grey said, sounding much more enthusiastic than Lady Juliet appeared to be. “You are meant to be introducing yourself to as many eligible gentlemen as possible.” Her eyes slid toward Duncan. “Neither of those gentlemen are wed, I hope?”
