Mr. Oldman nodded. “It was enough to deflect his aim, Your Grace,” he went on, pain sweat dripping down his face, but he remained carefully neutral. “The shot struck my arm, and he fled instantly. I tried to go after him, but I tripped up and fell. He escaped again, I am sorry.”
“I should throw all three of you in my dungeon for this disobedience,” Maximilian said, his anger deflating. “But I can see why you did it, however, and it was a clever idea. But why did he seek to kill you first, Mr. Oldman?”
“He knew I was there, Your Grace,” Mr. Oldman answered. “I was the biggest threat to his safety and freedom. Had he shot Miss Betham instead, I would have jumped him instantly, and he knew it. But if he killed me first, he had Miss Betham and the kitchen girl at his mercy.”
“But how did he know you were there?” Mr. Curry asked, bewildered. “No one knew you were her bodyguard except those of us in this room.”
“Our killer obviously found out,” Maximilian said. “Somehow. It makes me wonder if I have more than one traitor in my castle.”
He gazed at Mr. Oldman with compassion. “I will not punish you for this, Mr. Oldman, for I appreciate what you are doing, and that you were injured in my service. Please sit down before you fall down. You are not hurt badly?”
Mr. Oldman returned to the chair, shaking his head. His face had grown pale, and Eugenia fretted that Mr. Leary had not arrived yet to tend to him. “No, Your Grace. I believe the ball passed through and struck the wall behind me. I glanced at it and saw the chip in the stone.”
Peering closely at the wall, Maximilian nodded. “It did, indeed. You are a good soldier and a good man. I am glad you are here to protect these ladies. Even if they do go out of their way to get into trouble.”
He eyed Eugenia, who flushed under his scrutiny, feeling the need to squirm from guilt. She saw Lady Helena look aside, avoiding his penetrating gaze when he stared at her. “We wanted to catch this man to help you, Your Grace,” Eugenia said, trying to deflect his anger onto herself and not Lady Helena. “I talked her into it.”
Lady Helena’s chin rose defiantly as she looked at Maximilian fully. “She did not have to talk long, however. We both care about you.”
Mr. Curry chuckled. “It seems you are outnumbered and outflanked, Your Grace.”
“So, it appears,” he replied dryly.
Mr. Leary appeared in the doorway, then, after a quick bow, hurried to Mr. Oldman’s side. Maximilian made way for him, stepping back to give him room to work on his patient. Eugenia saw Deryn scurry in, then immediately fled after seeing the Duke in the room. “I would like to continue teaching Deryn to read and write,” she said to him, her voice low.
“I admire your dedication to the girl,” Maximilian said. “I suppose I will permit it, provided you are properly guarded. She was your chaperone as well as student?”
Nodding, Eugenia glanced at Mr. Oldman as Mr. Leary untied her hasty bandage. “He will be unfit for a few days, I expect.”
“One day, Miss Betham, Your Grace,” Mr. Oldman said, hearing their conversation and watching them past Mr. Leary. “I will return to my duty by tomorrow.”
“Then my dungeon should keep you safe enough until he is capable again.”
“Your Grace!” Lady Helena’s shocked voice made Maximilian grin.
“Is it not what you deserve, Miss Betham?” he asked, amused as Eugenia folded her arms over her bosom and returned his humor with a scowl, feeling her annoyance rise. “After all, you did agree not to commit to this adventure.”
“I said no such thing,” Eugenia replied coolly. “I said, ‘very well’. That is not a promise to obey you.”
“Hmm,” he said. “I will concede the point. This time. However, I will, right now, gain your promise to not try anything like this again. Do you both, ” he swung around to include Lady Helena in his stern look, “promise to not put yourselves in danger on my behalf again?”
“I cannot make that promise, Your Grace,” Eugenia said. “If I see that you need a hard shove to push you out of the way of a runaway wagon, I will do so, even if I may get trampled. But I will promise to not set myself up as bait from now on, and I will do my best to avoid danger. Will that satisfy you?”
“It does.” Maximilian glanced at Lady Helena. “Do I also have that same oath from you, Lady Helena?”
She nodded and curtseyed. “Yes, Your Grace. My oath.”
“Under the circumstances,” Maximilian said, “I expect you ladies to remain in your chambers until Mr. Oldman is fit to resume his guard duties. If you bolt your doors, you should remain safe enough. Lady Helena, I will explain your absence at supper tonight to your parents and the Duchess. I promise not to divulge your activities to them, as I would not have them upset with you.”
“Thank you, Your Grace,” Lady Helena replied, her face flushing.
No doubt, Eugenia thought, she had not considered about what her parents would say if they found out she helped set Eugenia up as bait for a murderer. She knew they would insist they all return to London, regardless of the ball.
“Nigel,” Maximilian went on, “you will accompany me as I walk these two miscreants to their chambers. Mr. Leary, I want a full report on Mr. Oldman’s condition once you have finished caring for him.”
Mr. Leary, busy working on Mr. Oldman’s arm, bent his head in lieu of a bow. “Yes, Your Grace.”
Maximilian extended his arm toward the door. “Ladies,” he said grandly. “After you.”
