To Augusta’s utter disgust, Earl Whitington cleared his throat and said to Maximilian, “I have taken the liberty of informing the Duke here of your latest misfortunes, Your Grace.”
The Duke of Dentonshire frowned slightly, nodding. “I find it disturbing at the very least that someone wishes to harm you, Bromenville. Do you have any possible suspects?”
“Yes, I have a few possibles in mind,” Maximilian hedged as the butler poured wine into his glass. “I would prefer not to mention them by name right now, however.”
“Completely understandable,” Dentonshire replied. “Whitington also said you have a Scottish highwayman in custody?”
“Yes, and he is still being questioned by the constables in York. We hope he might lead us to his companions.”
“If they have not already escaped into Scotland,” the Earl added.
Augusta glanced at Wilmot, hoping to see him gazing at Lady Helena. He, however, downed his wine in gulps, gesturing for the butler to pour more. Glancing at anything save the other people at the table, Wilmot appeared flustered, his flesh pale. Augusta wanted to smack his face and demand he behave as the son of a Duke instead of an ill-mannered milksop.
“Have you seen the Prince Regent lately, Duke?” she asked, trying to turn the subject away from the dreary topic at hand. “I was so very disappointed he could not attend our ball.”
“No, I am afraid not, Madam,” Dentonshire replied. “He has been closeted with the Prime Minister of late.”
Augusta sighed. “It must be a difficult role to rule a kingdom.”
“Indeed, it is,” Maximilian said. cheerfully. “We are fortunate indeed to have our Prince Regent during these times. I have enough difficulty ruling my estates.”
Augusta managed a small smile under the genteel laughter around the table but secretly wished Maximilian would keep his mouth shut. “We have the Earl and Countess of Harrington arriving tomorrow, and the Viscount Mallen and his wife, of course, will also be here. I believe our little ball will be the talk of the Season.”
Augusta’s glance fell once more upon Wilmot who continued to drink heavily. At this rate, he would be inebriated before the second course. She frowned slightly, wondering what had gotten into him.
I shall have a firm talk with him once luncheon is over. He simply must maintain proper decorum in front of our guests.
To her dismay, Maximilian had also noticed Wilmot’s behavior and frowned as he twirled the stem of his wineglass in his fingers.
“Are you all right, Wilmot?” he asked. “You seem … upset.”
Wilmot smiled broadly. “Not at all, brother. I am merely enjoying this particular wine vintage. Do you not also appreciate its fine smoky bouquet?”
“Yes, it does indeed have a unique flavor. Are you certain you are all right?”
“Of course.” Wilmot’s smile seemed feigned as he included their guests, especially Lady Helena, in his jovial demeanor. “After all, we have this wonderful party in a few days. And the chaps who have been trying to do you in are in gaol or chased to Scotland. What else could be wrong?”
Chapter 32
Obviously, Wilmot does not know about this latest attempt to kill Eugenia. Our villain is still out there.
Though his brother’s strange behavior continued to trouble him, Maximilian grew too busy with his current and future guests to dwell overmuch on Wilmot’s drinking habits. As the three of them greeted arriving guests over the next few days, Maximilian threw himself into the last preparations for the ball. Nor did he have much time to speak to Eugenia during those frantic days and snatched quick conversations with her outside the kitchen before meals.
The morning of the ball, Maximilian arrived earlier than usual for breakfast, before the mass of guests came down to eat. The dining hall had been filled with footmen and servants to attend the sheer volume of aristocrats who would soon sit at the vast table. Eugenia awaited him, offering him a curtsey and a mischievous grin.
Hidden from view by their bodies, Maximilian took her hand. “I am so sorry I have not had much time to see you.”
“I understand,” she said. “Lady Helena had me scurrying like a frightened rabbit to get her ready for the ball tonight.”
Maximilian glanced at Mr. Oldman standing just out of earshot, his watchful eyes on the scuttling servants as they hurried in and out of the dining hall. “Just make certain he has your back.”
“He does. Though with how crazy everything is, Lady Helena and I cannot always be together for him to watch us both.”
“Lady Helena is always with her parents or other guests,” Maximilian replied. “Nor has she been targeted specifically. I just want you to be careful.”
Eugenia squeezed his hand. “You, too, Max. Watch your back.”
Unable to resist her beauty and charm, Maximilian bent and kissed her. She tasted sweet, like she had eaten strawberries, and opened her lips under his, welcoming him. But as they were in the view of anyone passing by, Maximilian retreated from her quickly. “That was nice,” he murmured, smiling into her hazel eyes.
