“If we see her doing what we suspect, then she will have no recourse but to tell the truth,” Lady Marion said quietly. “That is what Lord Haddington is suggesting—although quite how we go about it, I do not know.” She looked at him curiously, a freshness in her expression that brought both a joy and a relief to his heart. They were together now, standing firmly as one, and nothing would separate them again. He had been foolish to push her away for so long, foolish to keep his thoughts and feelings at bay. There was nothing but happiness waiting for him should he allow his emotions to take hold.

  “I shall come up with something,” he promised, pressing his mother’s hand gently and then getting to his feet. “And very soon, for I do not want to become ill again.”

  His mother winced, then smiled, albeit a rather watery one. “I have not liked seeing you so distressed,” she told him, a little shakily. “If Lady Dalton has been making you unwell so that you will consider her daughter, then I will think of our friendship as nothing more than something that was once and shall not be so again.” Her voice shook but she remained determined. “I will not have you so afflicted, Alexander.”

  Lady Marion patted Lady Haddington’s hand again, then rose and rang the bell for tea, giving Alexander a brief smile. “Let us all take some sort of refreshment,” she said practically. “Then I am sure you will feel much better, Lady Haddington. I know that this has come as a shock to you and I can only thank you for your insight.”

  “And your willingness to come alongside and aid us in this,” Alexander added, and his mother nodded, her eyes still filled with worry. “We will find our answers soon enough, Mama, I assure you.”

  “So that we might begin to consider our future without any sort of hindrance,” Lady Marion said softly, coming to stand beside him, one hand curling under his arm. “Without fear and without worry.”

  He smiled at her, his heart freer than ever before. “It is almost all that I think of,” he answered, seeing how she blushed just a little. “Once this is at an end, Lady Marion, I have every intention of moving things forward so that our happiness can become complete.” His stomach suddenly fluttered with a flurry of nerves, wondering if she was as prepared as he for an engagement—but they flew from him in a moment as Lady Marion laughed softly, then pressed his arm a little tighter.

  “As do I,” she murmured, just as there came a scratch at the door to indicate the arrival of the maid. “More than ever before.”

  13

  “I declare, I believe you are enjoying this, Marion!”

  Marion flushed red but did not refute what her friend had suggested. “There is something of an excitement in bringing this matter to a firm conclusion, yes,” she admitted as the remainder of the guests began to arrive at Lord Haddington’s townhouse. “Do you not think so?”

  Miss Hawkins considered this for a moment, then laughed a little self-consciously. “I fear that we are all a little too engaged in this matter,” she admitted, referring to the other young ladies who were all present and ready to do what they had been instructed. “We have done nothing other than discuss this matter, wondering about who might be doing such a thing, talking about their motivations and the like.” She sighed a little sadly. “I shall almost be sorry for it to come to an end, even though I am fully aware of just how foolish such a thing sounds.”

  Marion chuckled, despite the warring tension that was churning her stomach. “I am in agreement with you there, Miss Hawkins,” she confessed as Miss Hawkins grinned. “There has been a good deal of difficulty and I will admit that I have struggled greatly with what has occurred and, in particular, what Lord Haddington has both said and done—and whilst I am relieved that we shall soon discover the culprit and ensure that Lord Haddington does not become ill again, I do begin to wonder what I shall do to occupy my time.” She laughed again but Miss Hawkins’ expression turned thoughtful.

  “You shall have a wedding to plan, of course,” Miss Hawkins said slowly, her eyes beginning to brighten. “But you might also consider if there is any possibility of continuing our efforts.”

  Marion blinked. “Continuing our efforts?” she repeated, a little confused. “What do you mean?”

  “Only that we might be able to assist others who have something of a puzzle on their hands,” Miss Hawkins suggested as a burst of laughter came from a group of gentlemen standing in the corner of the room. “I know it is a little ridiculous to think of, but we have done very well with this situation, have we not? And if we are eager to do more, then what is to prevent us from seeking such a thing out?”

  Marion considered this for a moment or two, looking at Miss Hawkins and feeling the same eagerness within her own heart that was displayed on her friend’s face.

  “I shall have to think on it a little more,” she said eventually, a small smile beginning to touch the corners of her lips. “And Lord Haddington shall have to be informed also, of course, but I can see the merit in what you are suggesting.”

  Miss Hawkins looked thoroughly delighted. “And I shall speak to the others, of course!” she exclaimed, her hands tight together. “That brings me a good deal of hope, I confess.”

  “Although it may come to nothing still,” Marion warned, turning her head toward the rest of the guests so that she might see where everyone stood. “But come, let us fix our minds on what is next at hand. Look, there is Lady Dalton and her daughter, only just arrived.” She watched them closely as they walked into the room, seeing the bright smiles on each face and noticing the wariness that immediately filled her. Her brow furrowed as she saw Lady Dalton instantly seek out Lady Haddington, leaving Lady Beatrice to trail behind her. Lady Beatrice was rather nondescript, for she always seemed to trail in her mother’s shadow and did not even speak unless her mother answered first. A small sense of sympathy began to fill Marion as she idly watched Lady Beatrice, wondering just how the young lady fared and whether or not she would have any sort of happiness of her own in the days to come.

  “There is Lord Haddington,” Miss Hawkins murmured. “Are you to go to his side?”

  “Not as yet,” Marion replied, still keeping to the shadows and out of sight of the rest of the guests. “Once everyone has arrived, the footmen shall begin to refill their trays with drinks and shall make their way around the room. It is then that we must keep careful watch on Lady Dalton, although I will be required to go to stand by Lord Haddington.” She threw a quick glance toward Miss Hawkins, whose brow was now furrowed with concentration. “I will allow myself to be distracted, of course, so that Lady Dalton will have the chance to do what she intends.” There was very little doubt in Marion’s mind that Lady Dalton was the one behind Lord Haddington’s suffering, for given what Lady Haddington had told them, it seemed that Lady Dalton would do anything in order to have her daughter marry well. There was little chance of anyone taking on Lady Beatrice when they discovered that her father was practically insolvent. Lady Haddington had only thought to encourage the match between Lord Haddington and Lady Beatrice in order to help her friend, which was admirable in some ways, Marion considered.

  “It is all rather exciting,” Miss Hawkins whispered, making Marion shiver with a sudden anticipation. “I do wonder how Lady Dalton has managed to do such a thing, I confess. Does she carry a vial with her? Does she ensure that the footmen bring Lord Haddington a drink which she has already placed the concoction into?”

  Marion caught her breath, suddenly astonished. “I recall that very thing!” she exclaimed, turning to Miss Hawkins. “When we were at some gathering or other, a footman brought a glass of brandy or whisky to Lord Haddington. It was offered to me first, of course, but I would not take it.”

  Miss Hawkins smiled wryly. “Of course you would not.”

  “So, Lord Haddington took it and then asked the footman to return with something for me,” Marion continued quickly. “Soon afterwards, he took ill.”

  “Then it must be in a vial of some sort,” Miss Hawkins said hastily, “so that Lady Dalton can put a few drops into the glass without being noticed.”

  “Indeed,” Marion said, turning back so that she might see Lord Haddington again. “And I would surmise that she will have a few footmen more than willing to do as she asks, no matter where she finds herself.” A grim smile tugged at her lips. “A lady of such a high title as Lady Dalton can do almost whatever she wishes.”

  Miss Hawkins shook her head. “But not for much longer,” she said softly as Lord Haddington threw a glance toward Marion. “It will all be at an end very soon indeed.”

  “Ah, Lady Marion.”

  Marion smiled up at Lord Haddington, despite the butterflies that were slamming their wings hard against her stomach. “Lord Haddington,” she said with a quick curtsy. “This evening has been quite wonderful thus far. I congratulate you on such a lovely gathering.”

  He smiled at her, his eyes lighting with an inner fire. “It is all the more wonderful because you are present,” he said, making Lady Catherine and Lady Ann exchange glances. Turning to them, he cleared his throat gently before signaling to the footmen, who immediately turned to fetch trays of champagne, brandy, and the like.

  “And ensure it is the very best brandy,” he called as one of the footmen glanced behind him. “And I shall have the very first glass…” He trailed off, grinning at some of the other guests. “Simply to ensure that it is as I have asked, of course.”

  This brought a good deal of laughter from Lord Haddington’s guests and he took the opportunity to take Marion’s arm and, excusing himself from Lady Catherine and Lady Ann, began to walk through his guests toward his mother, who was standing conversing with a lady Marion did not know.

  Her stomach tightened. The other ladies were watching Lady Dalton very carefully, she was sure, and as much as she wished to turn around and watch the lady also, she forced herself to remain looking forward.

  “Ah, Mama,” Lord Haddington said with a quick smile in the lady’s direction. “And Lady Cunningham. How good to see you this evening. Might I introduce you to Lady Marion?”

  Marion murmured a greeting, curtsied, and then immediately entered into conversation with Lady Cunningham, whilst Lady Haddington added in the occasional comment. Lord Haddington was left standing quietly to one side, watching them with interest but having very little to say as regarded the latest fashions, which was the topic of their discussions.

  Out of the corner of her eye, Marion saw Lady Dalton walk swiftly across the room, behind her and Lord Haddington. Marion forced herself to remain as fully engaged in the conversation as before so that Lady Dalton would not have any sort of suspicion that she was being watched and so that she might be able to do as she had planned.

  “Ah, my brandy,” Lord Haddington chuckled, taking the glass from the tray that the footman had only just brought to him. “I thank you.” He took a small sip—although Marion knew he would not take any more, smacking his lips and nodding fervently. “It is very fine indeed,” he declared, turning toward his guests. “I hope you will all enjoy it.”

  Some of his guests smiled and nodded, whilst others looked expectantly around the room for the footmen. Marion, eager to finish her conversation with Lady Cunningham so that she might find Lady Ann or Miss Seymour, tried her best to remain smiling and contented, even though her mind was filled with unanswered questions.

  “I must be very rude indeed,” Lord Haddington interrupted, saving Marion from yet further discussion on what colors would suit Lady Cunningham best. “I must steal Lady Marion away, for I know that she has been eagerly longing to greet her friend, Miss Seymour, who has only just finished speaking to Miss Hawkins.” He smiled warmly at Lady Cunningham, who seemed to be more than understanding. “Do excuse me.”

  Curtsying quickly and thanking Lady Cunningham for an excellent conversation, Marion moved away quickly, her hand on Lord Haddington’s arm and her fingers tight.

  “You were eager to remove yourself from there, I think,” Lord Haddington said with a hint of mischief in his tone. “Do you think that anyone saw her?”

  “We must hope so,” Marion murmured as they made their way directly toward Miss Seymour, who was standing at the back of the room. “I saw Lady Dalton walk behind us but nothing more.” She glanced up at Lord Haddington with concern. “You do not feel unwell?”

  He shook his head. “Not as yet,” he admitted, “but I only took the smallest of sips. I shall not take any more, of course, but I am quite sure that, were I to do so, I would soon need to remove myself from my guests.” Grimacing, he patted her hand. “Have no fear, Lady Marion. We shall discover the truth.”

  Trying to reassure herself that what Lord Haddington said was just what would happen, Marion pasted a small smile on her face as they drew near to Miss Seymour. Unfortunately, the expression of frustration and confusion that lingered in Miss Seymour’s expression was something of a disappointment, lowering Marion’s hopes almost immediately.

  “I watched Lady Dalton closely,” Miss Seymour said hurriedly, speaking in low tones, “but she only moved about the room and did not once go near a footman.”

  Marion frowned, her heart beginning to quicken with confusion. “Then mayhap she ensured a footman already had what was required?” she said, looking up at Lord Haddington, whose face was expressionless, although his color was a little low. “She would make certain that he knew what was expected of him?”

  “Unless,” Lord Haddington said softly, his eyes narrowing slightly, “it was not her doing.”

  Marion stared at him, only to be interrupted by Lady Catherine and Lady Ann, who both expressed the very same as Miss Seymour.

  “She did nothing,” Lady Ann said, “other than to speak to one of her acquaintances, before making her way across the room to speak to another.”

  Rubbing her forehead with the heel of her hand, Marion resisted the urge to let out a long, frustrated breath. “I do not understand,” she said heavily. “Mayhap your brandy is not as we thought it might be.”

  Lord Haddington’s lips twisted and he looked down at his brandy glass, swirling the liquid around for a moment. “There is one way I might find out the truth,” he said, looking at Marion, his eyes stormy. “I will not allow this opportunity to pass us.”

  Marion grasped his arm, recalling just how ill he had been before. “You cannot!” she exclaimed, suddenly anxious. “You cannot make yourself unwell just to prove that your brandy is as you think.”

  “I must,” Lord Haddington answered gently, although his pallor was now a little grey. “How else are we to know the truth?”

  Shaking her head, Marion looked at the glass in Lord Haddington’s hand, seeing how he was steeling himself. She could not let him do this to himself again, not when he knew that there was something wrong. To become so ill, after having endured it on multiple occasions previously and knowing that he was entirely disinclined toward it, made her want to stop him from doing so again, wanted to protect him from himself.

  In one swift motion, Marion reached out for the brandy glass, practically snatching it from Lord Haddington’s hand. It slopped over the side of the glass, spilling over her hand. Staggering back just a little, Marion made to drink the rest of the brandy, only for Miss Hawkins to suddenly reappear and pull the glass from Marion’s hand.

  It fell to the floor, shattering everywhere. A loud exclamation came from Marion’s lips, her eyes on the brandy now soaking into the carpet.

  “Oh, goodness, I am so very clumsy!” Miss Hawkins cried, loud enough for the rest of the room to hear. “I am truly sorry, Lord Haddington.”

  Lord Haddington, Marion saw, was doing his level best not to laugh, his eyes twinkling as he practically beamed at Miss Hawkins. “You have nothing to apologize for, Miss Hawkins,” he declared as Marion closed her eyes in frustration. “I was in your way. Please, let us move out of the way and allow the staff to tidy up.”

  Marion was forced to allow Lord Haddington to lead her away from where the shattered glass now lay in pieces on the carpet, her frustration making way for annoyance. Why had Miss Hawkins done such a thing?

  “I had to come and find you just as soon as I could,” Miss Hawkins whispered. “Your mother wishes to speak to you, Lord Haddington. She has taken Lady Dalton into the library, just as we intended.”

  Marion shook her head. “But none of us saw Lady Dalton go near to the footman and Lord Haddington’s brandy,” she said dully. “We have nothing to say to the lady.” Their intention had been that they would all go and, in short, accuse Lady Dalton of deliberately bringing injury to Lord Haddington, but since none of them had been able to see anything of note, there seemed to be no reason for such an action now.

  “We should go and speak to her regardless,” Lord Haddington said softly. “We might be able to discover the truth from her simply by stating what we know. Whether or not she added anything to the brandy, we will still be able to discover the truth. I am sure of it.”

  Marion gritted her teeth, still angry with both Miss Hawkins and Lord Haddington. “You should have permitted me to drink the brandy,” she said, throwing a sharp glance toward Miss Hawkins. “There was no need to prevent me from doing so.”

  “There was every reason,” Miss Hawkins insisted as Lord Haddington nodded fervently. “You have very little idea of what the concoction might have done to you, Lady Marion. Besides which,” she finished, throwing a quick smile up to Lord Haddington, “I saw the look of horror on Lord Haddington’s face and knew I had to act.”